aging and safety

Aging ,Common Injuries, Interactive Screening & Corrective Actions : 

Aging ,Common Injuries, Interactive Screening & Corrective Actions Dr. Deborah Kearney Job Smart System 724 554 7127 www.jobsmartsystem.com www.deborah.kearney@jobsmartrecruiting.com

Aging & You Know What I Mean: 

Aging & You Know What I Mean How old are you in your mind?  

Workers Average Age is 45 Years : 

Workers Average Age is 45 Years As the average age of the general workforce population increases, new challenges in safety and injury prevention have arisen in the workplace. In this session, learn about aging trends, common injuries related to aging and what you can do about them. Injuries are occupationally related or are they ?  

Aging & You Know What I Mean : 

Aging & You Know What I Mean Safety means creating safety for unique individuals Who: All ages, genders, diverse groups   What: Chronological and Physiological Where: Systems Differ When: Fatigue & Stress Why: Nature and Nurture  

Aging & You Know What I Mean : 

Aging & You Know What I Mean Who: All ages, genders, diverse groups Yes and … Age is dependent on life style and work style. Gender is genetic and risks are systems oriented

Aging: You know what I mean: 

Aging: You know what I mean What : Brain function - Many changes occur in brain cells and function over time. Brain and nervous system The number of cells (neurons) in your brain decreases with age, and your memory becomes less efficient. However, in some areas of your brain, the number of connections between the cells increases, perhaps helping to compensate for the aging neurons and maintain brain function. Your reflexes tend to become slower. You also tend to become less coordinated. Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's manifest themselves in the older body. Yes and the more you challenge the brain to get out of routine the more it stays flexible The less distraction , conflicting demands , and fatigue the higher the brain functions

Aging & You Know What I Mean : 

Aging & You Know What I Mean Where: Systems & People Differ Cardiovascular health - The heart weakens with age and the network of arteries that circulate blood can accumulate deposits that choke off the flow of blood. Cardiovascular system Over time, your heart muscle becomes a less efficient pump, working harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body. In addition, your blood vessels become less elastic. Hardened fatty deposits may form on the walls of your arteries (arteriosclerosis), narrowing the passageway through the vessels. The natural loss of elasticity, in combination with arteriosclerosis, makes your arteries stiffer, causing your heart to work even harder to pump blood through them. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension). Glucose regulation - With age, some people develop diabetes, a chronic disease involving an insulin deficiency and a loss of the body's ability to regulate sugar in blood and urine. Yes and diet and exercise make a difference

Aging & You Know What I Mean : 

Aging & You Know What I Mean Why: Nature and Nurture Endocrine function - The body's system of glands, which secrete helpful chemicals into the blood, becomes less efficient with time. The immune system - The natural system of defenses mounted by the body to combat foreign organisms like viruses, bacteria and parasites begins to let down its guard as we grow old. Oxidative stress - Life-giving oxygen, paradoxically, can be bad for health. Oxygen sometimes manifests itself as free radicals, toxic ionized oxygen molecules that roam cells disrupting other molecules in a cascade of cellular events that may be at the very root of the aging process. Yes and the less we allow stress to rule us the less the immune systems is affected  

Digestive System : 

Digestive System Swallowing and the motions that automatically move digested food through your intestines slow down as you get older. The amount of surface area within your intestines diminishes slightly. The flow of secretions from your stomach, liver, pancreas and small intestine may decrease. These changes generally don't disrupt your digestive process, so you may never notice them. But you might notice more constipation Glucose regulation - With age, some people develop diabetes, a chronic disease involving an insulin deficiency and a loss of the body's ability to regulate sugar in blood and urine.

Sleep : 

Sleep Changes little throughout early adulthood. If you need seven hours of sleep nightly, chances are you'll always need seven hours — give or take 30 minutes. As women age, you'll likely find that your sleep is interrupted As men age snoring may take over and inhibit rest By age 75, some people find that they're waking up several times each night.

Kidneys, bladder & urinary tract: 

Kidneys, bladder & urinary tract With age, your kidneys become less efficient in removing waste from your bloodstream. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and some medications can damage your kidneys further. About 30 percent of people by age 65 and older experience a loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence). Incontinence can be caused by a number of health problems, such as obesity, frequent constipation and chronic cough. Women are more likely than men to have incontinence. Women who've been through menopause might experience stress incontinence as the muscles around the opening of the bladder (the sphincter muscles) lose strength and bladder reflexes change. As estrogen levels decline, the tissue lining the tube through which urine passes (urethra) becomes thinner. Pelvic muscles become weaker, reducing bladder support. In older men, incontinence is sometimes caused by an enlarged prostate, which can block the urethra. This makes it difficult to empty your bladder and can cause small amounts of urine to leak.

Aging & You Know What I Mean : 

Aging & You Know What I Mean When: Muscle and skeletal health - Muscles atrophy and bones weaken with at approximately 58 years of age. Bones, muscles and joints Your bones reach their maximum mass between ages 25 and 35. As you age, your bones shrink in size and density. One consequence is that you might become shorter. Gradual loss of density weakens your bones and makes them more susceptible to fracture. Muscles, tendons and joints generally lose some strength and flexibility as you age. Yes and reversals happen with exercise in particular yoga

Common Injuries need to be evaluated from the whole person perspective : 

Common Injuries need to be evaluated from the whole person perspective

Common Injuries:Bruising with - Brains cells : 

Common Injuries: Bruising with - Brains cells Routine functions vs. end of the day actions

Stress =Distracted Brain= Injuries : 

Stress =Distracted Brain= Injuries

Common Injuries musculoskeletal system : 

Common Injuries musculoskeletal system

Slips , Trips , and Falls : 

Slips , Trips , and Falls Falls on the same level account for 65% of all fall-related injuries. In our major cities about 20 people die every year and 80 people are injured every day due to workplace falls.

Common Heart and Lung Disease : Asthmatic Can’t Breathe= Can’t function= injuries : 

Common Heart and Lung Disease : Asthmatic Can’t Breathe= Can’t function= injuries

Screening: Who : 

Screening: Who Age: Health is not a number of years Gender and Diversity : Females over 50 : Estrogen related disease Males over 40 : Testosterone deficiency can have several effects on the body, including: Decreased energy Reduced muscle mass and strength Decreased cognitive function Less sexual interest or potency Depressed mood

Screening : Typically what we do “ occupationally is : 

Screening : Typically what we do “ occupationally is Muscles, joints , tendons ligaments WHY ARENT WE CHECKING Internal systems & Senses & STRESS ? Check all that apply

Screening: Where is the help? Health Advocacy is important : 

Screening: Where is the help? Health Advocacy is important Self Screen Primary Physician Specialist Eyes With age, your eyes are less able to produce tears, your retinas thin and your lenses gradually turn yellow and become less clear. In your 40s, focusing on objects that are close up may become more difficult. Later, the colored portions of your eyes (irises) stiffen, making your pupils less responsive. This can make it more difficult to adapt to different levels of light. Other changes to your lenses can make you sensitive to glare, which presents a problem when driving at night. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are the most common problems of aging eyes.

Screening Why : 

Screening Why Skin, nails and hair With age, your skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile. You'll likely notice that you bruise more easily. Decreased production of natural oils may make your skin drier and more wrinkled. Age spots can occur, and skin tags are more common. Your nails grow at about half the pace they once did. Your hair may gray and thin. In addition, you likely perspire less — making it harder to stay cool in high temperatures and putting you at increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. How fast your skin ages depends on many factors. The most significant factor is sun exposure over the years. The more sun your skin has been exposed to, the more damage you may attain. Smoking adds to skin damage, such as wrinkles. Skin cancer is also a concern as you age. You have a 40 percent to 50 percent chance of getting skin cancer at least once by the time you reach 65.

Screening : Ears : 

Screening : Ears Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting adults who are middle-aged and older. Four in Ten people over 40 do not hear low tones or low consonant sounds One in three people older than 60 and half of all people older than 85 have significant hearing loss in high frequencies . Over the years, sounds and noise can damage the hair cells of your inner ears. Walls of your auditory canals thin, and your eardrums thicken. Some people find it difficult to follow a conversation in a crowded room. Changes in the inner ear or in the nerves attached to it, earwax buildup and various diseases can all impact your hearing.

Screening : When : 

Screening : When Prevention first Teeth How your teeth and gums respond to age depends on how well you've cared for them over the years. But even if you're meticulous about brushing and flossing, you may notice that your mouth feels drier and your gums have pulled back (receded). Your teeth may darken slightly and become more brittle and easier to break. Most adults can keep their natural teeth all of their lives. But with less saliva to wash away bacteria, your teeth and gums become slightly more vulnerable to decay and infection. If you've lost most or all of your natural teeth, you might use dentures or dental implants as a replacement. Some older adults experience dry mouth (xerostomia), which can lead to tooth decay and infection. Dry mouth can also make speaking, swallowing and tasting difficult. Oral cancer is more common among older adults. Your dentist checks for oral cancer when you go for regular cleanings and checkups.

Screening: Why : 

Screening: Why Physiological age is not chronology dependent You can slow down and reverse the effects of aging relative to injury, disease , and disability ACHES BECOME PAINS AND PAINS BECOME INJURIES

Screening : Touch and Sensation : 

Screening : Touch and Sensation Grip Grasp Pain creates fatigue and distraction Arthritis is frequently an undiagnosed disease

Corrective Actions: Whole Body Approach : 

Corrective Actions: Whole Body Approach Feet , Ankles, Knees and Hips Spine : Lower and Middle back and Neck Internal Organs Senses Realignment Stretching Work Stations Stress, Air, Water, Sleep , Diet

Swimming =Increased resistance maintains mobility of the hand & the back stroke is best exercise : 

Swimming =Increased resistance maintains mobility of the hand & the back stroke is best exercise

Corrective Actions Musculoskeletal System & Emotional Stress : 

Corrective Actions Musculoskeletal System & Emotional Stress The human body responds to stress by contracting the muscles of the back, shoulders, and neck. As we worry, concentrate, hurry, make a mistake, or have a confrontation, that stress is expressed in our muscles. Over time, this almost constant contraction forms tender or painful knots in the muscles called trigger points. The resulting imbalance in the muscles leads to subluxation of the spine. The nerves become irritated by the change in the position and motion of the vertebrae due to the change in the size and angle of the foramen, between the bones through which the nerves exit. The small guiding joints or facets also become irritated from the subluxation and now the joint capsules, ligaments, and muscles become inflamed. Finally, the subluxation and surrounding inflammation result in sufficient nerve irritation to cause pain and muscle spasm. The loss of the strength, endurance, and coordination of the muscles puts us at risk of spinal sprain/strain under times of increased physical or postural stress.

Corrective Actions: Flexibility : 

Corrective Actions: Flexibility A person's age is determined by the flexibility of his spine, not the number of years he has lived. Yoga helps in slowing down the aging process by providing elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, removing tension from the body, strengthening the abdominal muscles, eliminating the likelihood of a double chin, improving the quality of loose arm muscles, correcting poor posture

Corrective Actions: Setting up for work : 

Corrective Actions: Setting up for work THIS SCREEN IS TOO LOW HANDS NOT LEVEL FEET NOT FLAT NO FOOT REST

Corrective Actions: Setting up work areas : 

Corrective Actions: Setting up work areas Your posture and the position of equipment supports your Musculo-skeletal system

Corrective Actions: The mouse in the house : 

Corrective Actions: The mouse in the house This creative mouse stand was purchased by the employee for 10 dollars. It is your regular “ bar stool” set to the correct height .Most keyboard trays have mouse trays that align the mouse to the hand.

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: WORK STATION SET UP : 

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: WORK STATION SET UP The standing work station allows a worker energy and posture options. Sit/Stand working posture re-energizes the body by decompressing the spine and organs.

Corrective Actions : Vision : 

Corrective Actions : Vision When a person has bi/tri focals it is often difficult for them to adjust to both their reading material and their monitor. Computer glasses are recommended.

Corrective Actions: Color Coding Text : 

Corrective Actions: Color Coding Text

Corrective Actions : Lighting : 

Corrective Actions : Lighting Task lighting is the most important intervention for visual acuity. The more appropriate the light to the task the easier utility . Do not over light computer work areas.

Corrective Actions : Hearing : 

Corrective Actions : Hearing NOISE IS ANY SOUND THE IS A DISTRACTION FROM CONCENTRATION MUSIC CAN PRODUCE STRESS OR REDUCE IT MUSIC CAN ENHANCE OR CHANGE ONES MOOD

Corrective Actions : Sleep : 

Corrective Actions : Sleep Research shows that many if not most of us are living with a sleep deficit. The ill effects on our health and well being are serious and numerous. We need at least seven hours of sleep a night for mental and physical health. Turn off that computer, TV, stereo, or video and get to bed earlier.

Corrective Actions: Getting Rest : 

Corrective Actions: Getting Rest Sleeping Positions Never sleep on your stomach. Sleeping on the stomach increases the normal curves in the neck and the low back resulting in additional nerve compression and stress to the guiding joints or facets of the vertebrae. Sleep on your side with the knees slightly bent and one pillow between the knees. Side sleeping — Pull your pillow down into the shoulder to support the neck. For sleep on your back, place two pillows under the knees to reduce stress to the low back, neck and mid back. Back sleeping - In order to support the neck, the pillow must accept the weight of the back of the head. The recommended pillow: A moderately stuffed fiber filled pillow is hypoallergenic and easily fluffed up to support the neck but still compressible to contour to the head and the neck in accepting the weight of the back of the head.

Breathing to Reenergize : 

Breathing to Reenergize You ,your brain & your lungs Half a nose is better than one Do the Yogi breathing to reenergize Hold one nostril closed Breath deeply on the inhale, hold Blow out the exhale Now do the same to the other nostril x 3 to reenergize your brain.

Corrective Actions: Breathing and Exercise : 

Corrective Actions: Breathing and Exercise Exercise relieves stress through activity. Stretching and strengthening exercises combine to balance the strength and tone of the muscles and ligaments. The muscles and ligaments are the supporting structures of the spine, so fitness benefits spinal health. Aquacise program at the YMCA is recommended. Low back patients however, should avoid any exercises involving twisting of the hips or torso. Yoga is an excellent exercise technique for stretching . There are numerous popular fitness programs available for group participation or on video, many of which combine yoga and aerobics or crossover (for any sport) strengthening and stretching exercises which may be referred to as warm up and cool down exercises. Please take note that step aerobics and jogging or running are hard on all the weight bearing joints, including the spine, due to the compression of the joints from repeated impact with the floor or ground. Almost everyone can walk. Start at your own pace. Slowly, over the weeks, increase the distance and speed of your walk. Close your hands and swing your arms to relieve tension in your neck, shoulders, and mid back. Breathe deeply. Walk with a friend, family member, or pet to further reduce stress. Ride a bike, play golf, but do something!

Corrective Actions : Hydration : 

Corrective Actions : Hydration Which is best ? Bottom right

Corrective Actions: Taste : 

Corrective Actions: Taste What enhances the sense of taste Less seasoning with salt and sugar Minimize, or take the leap and eliminate, salt and sugar in your diet. Utilize honey and herbs and spices to sweeten and season. Honey makes a great tea!MAKE IT REAL Drinking ½ hour before a meal or one hour after a meal lets your body digest with ease

Eat What ? When ? How Much? : 

Eat What ? When ? How Much?

Corrective Actions Internal Systems :Diet : 

Corrective Actions Internal Systems :Diet Weight As you age, maintaining a healthy weight — or losing weight if you're overweight — may be more difficult. Your metabolism generally slows, meaning that your body burns fewer calories. Calories that were once used to meet your daily energy needs instead are stored as fat. Your level of activity may decrease, resulting in unwanted weight gain. low fat diet, more chicken and fish baked or grilled, less beef, pork, and fried foods. Include all the fresh vegetables and fruits you like, you can't get enough. Use less preserved, prepared, canned, and frozen foods as their vitality and nutrition are reduced. Read labels and avoid chemical additives that color or lengthen shelf life. Due to our farming methods and natural erosion, our soil, and therefore what we grow, lacks many needed minerals and trace elements necessary for good health. Consider taking a multi-vitamin and mineral complex and be sure it is derived from natural organic sources, not produced chemically in the laboratory.

How much is too much ! There is never enough birthday cake !: 

How much is too much ! There is never enough birthday cake ! The longest documented human life span is 122 years. Though a life span that long is rare, improvements in medicine, science and technology over the last century have helped more people live longer, healthier lives. If you were born in the early 1900s in the United States, your life expectancy was only about 50 years. Today it's around 77.