PROFESSOR MITCH

Personal Health and Wellness

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DISCUSSION BOARD

The Aging Process

The aging process is a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors; therefore each individual ages differently. For example, changes in body composition, body weight, and body systems are common effects of aging. It is essential for those who are aging to maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of disease and infection. However, the end result of aging inevitably is death. Appropriate preparation for death contributes to well-being of family and friends and brings peace of mind to the dying.

For this Discussion, consider the impact of aging on personal health and wellness and the importance of preparing for death. To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review Chapter 14 in Health: The Basics, 10th edition. Pay particular attention to aging and preparing for death.

• Complete the Chapter 14 Personal Health Assessment “Are You Afraid of Death?” in Health: The Basics, 10th edition.
• Think about preparing for death.

• Review the media “Dimensions of Health Wheel.” Select two dimensions of health and consider how the aging process might affect each of them.

With these thoughts in mind:

Select one of the two Discussion Questions.

By Day 4, post a brief description of the two dimensions of health you selected. Then explain how the aging process might affect those dimensions. Finally, describe one strategy you might recommend to improve or enhance the two dimensions of health you selected for someone who is aging.

OR

By Day 4, post an example of a situation in which preparation for death was either adequately planned or inadequately planned. Explain the results and the impact of those results on family and friends. Finally, explain how this situation might influence your own preparations for death and dying.

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RESOURCES

• Donatelle, R. J. (2013). Health: The basics, 10th edition. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
  • Chapter 12, “Reducing Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer”
  • Chapter 13, “Protecting against Infectious and Noninfectious Diseases”
  • Chapter 14, “Preparing for Aging, Death, and Dying”

• Meetoo, D. (2008). Chronic diseases: The silent global epidemic. British Journal of Nursing (BJN), 17(21), 1320–1325. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Luepker, R. V. (2011). Cardiovascular disease: Rise, fall, and future prospects. Annual Review of Public Health, 32, 1–3. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Document: Final Project Guidelines (.pdf document)Note: This document provides guidlines and requirements for your final project.

Media

• Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Personal Health and Wellness: Dimensions of Health Wheel [Multimedia], Baltimore, MD: Author.
  • Dimension of Health: Week 5

Optional Resources

• Phelan, E. A., Anderson, L. A., LaCriox, A. Z., & Larson, E. B. (2004). Older adults' views of "successful aging" — How do they compare with researchers' definitions? Journal of The American Geriatrics Society, 52(2), 211–216. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

• Emanuel, L., Bennett, K., & Richardson, V. E. (2007). The dying role. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 10(1), 159–168. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.