When the Pages Start to Wear
As people age, their bodies go through tremendous changes.
These transformations happen to everyone, yet there are diverse reactions to
them. Some people pay accept those changes as they occur, and others may not
feel so great about them and honestly…that’s okay.
From Cover to Cover: The Physical Narrative of
Aging
Skin &
Hair |
Wrinkles
form, especially around the eyes and mouth As we age,
skin produces less oil, so it becomes more dry or itchy Skin becomes
thinner, thus becoming easier to tear or bruise There’s less
elasticity leading to an increase in “sag” or “droop” Hair loses its
color due to less pigmentation, turning gray or white Hair becomes
thinner and there may be less hair Hair can
become more brittle and drier due to a decrease in oil |
Muscle &
Bones |
Muscles and
bones lose strength There’s less
muscle tone When an
injury occurs, they take longer to heal Joints may
feel stiff or sore, causing pain As the spine weakens,
posture may change causing a shorter height |
Mobility |
It’s common
to walk slower as age progresses It may be
more difficult to stay steady, leading to falls Joints are
stiffer, there’s less flexibility, and getting up can be harder Moving around
can cause people to become tired quicker |
Teeth &
Mouth |
Shorter or
rougher teeth from years of chewing and grinding Potentially
losing teeth Less saliva
leading to a dry mouth |
Brain & Memory
|
Thinking may
slow down, needing longer to solve things Forgetfulness
may occur Time to pay
attention may shorten Multitasking
may become tricky |
Energy &
Sleep |
People may often
feel tired more quickly There may be
changes in their sleep schedule They may need
more rest or have a hard time fall asleep |
Pages of Reflection: The Emotions Written by Time
· Denial – ignoring the physical changes or
downplaying them
·
Frustration or Anger – the feeling of betrayal
by one’s own body
·
Fear – feeling scared over the progressing loss
of independence, illness, or decline in mental state
·
Shame or Embarrassment – feeling guilty or
embarrassed on how one look or their body functions
·
Grief – mourning the loss of their youth,
strength, or independence
·
Adaptation and Acceptance – accepting and
embracing the process of aging with realism and grace
Many of us want to keep our youthful glow and healthy skin
for as long as we can. This is where products such as anti-aging creams come in.
The market is flooded with them, which promises to reverse or slow down our
changes, but how much of it is backed up by real science?
The following video is an example of an anti-aging cream that is being sold in the market.
When going over a product that claims to make you look younger, feel stronger, think clearer, or sleep better, how would you know if those claims are true?
Ask these questions about the product:
1.
Does it truly do what it says it do?
a.
Proof needs to be found. Do not just rely on
personal stories alone. Find the scientific studies behind them. Was there
research and what evidence is there that this works for most people?
2.
What are the side effects?
a.
No matter what a product does, side effects will
most likely be present. Research side effects, warnings, medication
interactions, and reviews from reliable sources. Reliable sources include
medical websites or government health pages.
3.
Are people complaining about it?
a.
Check for complaints with:
i.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
safety alerts
ii.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
iii.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB)
There’s a difference between personal stories and research
from scientific studies.
Personal stories, also known as testimonials, can claim a
product may work but the proof may not always be present. There is the possibility
of the person behind the testimonial to be paid by the company itself or fake to
boost sales. There’s also the chance that what may work for one person may not
work for someone else.
Research develops from scientific studies. Medical journals
or published works reviewed by experts. These includes numbers and statistics,
side effects, and may involve comparisons with other items. The company should
be able to name the study, link it, or mention where it was published if a
product has real research behind it.
Websites that you can do a quick check before buying:
- · FDA.gov
- · FTC.gov
- · Consumer Reports
- · NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
You can also ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying something new. This is especially if you are currently taking any medications.
The Caregiver’s Handbook: Supporting Smart Product Decisions in Later Life
We all age. This may appear in different forms. Frustration,
sadness, and concern maybe emotions that is experienced about the changes
happening. Wrinkles, hair loss, loss of bodily function, memory problems, and other
changes. There are products out there that promise to “fix” aging and some of
these products may be helpful, but there are also others that do not work as
well as they claim to be. There are some that may even be harmful.
This is where us nurses play an important role.
We are here to listen without judging…it is okay to express how
you are feeling, whether you are feeling embarrassed, scared, or calm about it
all. We are not here to sell anything.
Nurses are here to support your health, your well-being, and
your independence. It’s okay to feel like you need a product to feel better and
you are not the only one. It’s okay to want to provide self-care on yourself, but
I also encourage you to pause and ask yourself if this product you are buying truly
able to help you or if you are getting it because you feel like you must.
Testimonials may be present, making many claims and
wonderful stories from satisfied customers. At the same time, that does not
always mean the product works for everyone or that it has been properly
studied. I strongly encourage you to look for:
- · Real research or studies
- · Clear list or information on side effects or risks
- · Guidance from your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse
I want you all to know this one thing: Aging is not a typo
in a story --- it’s a part of the plot. Each line, each chapter becomes a part
of the creation, the depth, to who you are. You’re not a right draft that requires
to be fixed. You are a valuable volume, just as you are.
With care,
Samira Pierre, RN
References
Harding,
M. M., Kwong, J., Roberts, D., Hagler, D., & Reinisch, C. (2019). Lewis’s
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems (11th
ed.). Mosby.
Schmidt,
L. I., Gerhardy, T. H., Carleton-Schweitzer, L., Wahl, H.-W., & Jekel, K.
(2023a). “if this is what it means to be old…”: A mixed methods study on the
effects of age simulation on views on aging and perceptions of age-related
impairments. European Journal of Ageing, 20(1), 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-023-00793-8
Segel-Karpas,
D., Shrira, A., Cohn-Schwartz, E., & Bodner, E. (2022). Daily fluctuations
in subjective age and depressive symptoms: The roles of attitudes to ageing and
chronological age. European Journal of Ageing, 19(3), 741–751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-021-00681-z
Touhy,
T. A., & Jett, K. (2022). Toward healthy aging: Human needs and nursing
response (11th ed.). Elsevier.
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