The Senses Experiencing change to your senses as

The Senses Experiencing change to your senses as you age is normal! These changes can start at different ages: • • • Hearing – mid-40 s Vision – mid-50 s Touch – mid-50 s Taste – mid-60 s Smell – 70 s

Sensory Decline Nearly half of older adults experience hearing loss that affects their daily life Older adults are much more likely to experience vision loss than younger people. They might also get certain eye diseases that can affect their vision in different ways: • • Cataracts Glaucoma Macular degeneration Diabetic retinopathy

Sensory Decline As you get older, it can be harder to feel certain things – such as heat, vibration, or even pain Humans can recognize over 10, 000 scents! But as you get older, it can become harder to smell. This can be a big safety issue – why? For some older adults, they might not be able to taste sweet and salty things as well as they used to.

Functional Decline Half of older adults report having arthritis – or stiffening of the joints Mobility, or the ability to move around, is the most common disability among older Americans 4 out of 10 older adults have gotten short-of-breath

LET’S GET GRAY! • • Insert ear plugs into each ear Put on a pair of sensory glasses Put a cotton ball up one nostril Tape several fingers at the knuckle Put on a pair of gloves Insert a popsicle stick into each index finger of the gloves Put a few popcorn kernels in your shoe Put a straw in your mouth and breathe through it

Great news! Your grandson is here to visit. But, uh oh! He can’t tie his shoe.

ACTIVITY STATIONS

Let’s Discuss… Do all older adults experience these challenges?

Let’s Discuss… How would life be different if you were always dressed up like this?

Let’s Discuss… How can you help older people who might have these challenges?

Let’s Discuss… What can you do now to help protect yourself from these declines in the future? Take care of yourself!

Thank you!