Aging is about change Of course we have all been changing, and aging, from the moment we were born. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. There are many myths about growing older. In this section of the website, we strive to debunk the misconceptions and speak candidly about the most common changes of our later years.
Age is fluid
Line up a group of people 65 and older and you will see remarkable variation. Have them stand in chronological order and you may be surprised that some in the higher years appear to have more vigor than some in the younger years. This is not for passing judgment. It’s simply to acknowledge that we don’t all age at the same rate.
Below is information about the normal process of physical aging. And—especially for those who are not yet experiencing them—insights concerning how those changes impact our lives on a daily basis and in the larger overview.
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Normal aging: the five senses
The normal changes of aging, and the necessary daily lifestyle adjustments, are most readily seen when looking at the five senses. Vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell are how we perceive our environment. They greatly impact our understanding, and often, our joy in the world. These normal changes create some risks and result in the need to do things differently, to adapt.
Vision As many as 30% of persons 75 or older have experienced at least some vision loss. This is due, in great part, to Presbyopia, literally “old sight.” Presbyopia begins in middle-age and is caused by the lens of the eye becoming less flexible. The normal changes of aging result in
Difficulty seeing up close. Glasses or contacts can usually remedy this.
Need for more light. We just don’t have the receptors we used to.
Reduced ability to judge distance. This can have serious consequences for driving as we have trouble judging the speed of on-coming cars, creating challenges when making a left hand turn or entering the freeway.
Problems with glare. Adjusting to light and dark takes much longer. This makes driving at night difficult, and dangerous. As a result, we tend to stay home in the evenings and are unable to go out easily to nighttime events.
Two-out-of-three legally blind individuals are people over 65 who lost their site due to age-related diseases. The most common diseases include glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.
Hearing Nearly one quarter of persons 65 – 74 and half of those 75 and older have a disabling hearing loss. It’s not a matter only of volume, but also being unable to hear words clearly. Loss of hearing has deep consequences.
Injury. Not hearing can lead to greater chance of injury, particularly with cars as we may not hear one approaching.
Social isolation. Difficulty hearing tends to cause people to withdraw socially. We lose our relationships when we lose our hearing!
While technology aids are improving, they tend to amplify all noises, so are less than ideal. Only 25% of persons with hearing loss use hearing aids.
Other hearing impairments include tinnitus, a generally constant ringing, buzzing or swishing noise in the ears.
Although the impact of hearing impairment is profound, it is frequently overlooked as a disability.
Touch The sense of touch involves not only the skin but also our nerves and brain. As we age, we become less aware of pain, temperature, pressure, vibration and the position of our body. Reduced sensitivity can lead to:
Burns. We may not feel something as too hot. It’s important to set the temperature of the water heater to no higher than 120° to avoid burns.
Hypothermia or frostbite. We can’t rely on our bodies to judge the temperature outside. Check an outdoor thermometer when it’s cold and dressed based on the numbers.
Infection. By not feeling pain as acutely, we can have a sore or infection developing and not know it. It’s important to check the skin regularly for injuries, especially the feet.
Taste Eating is one of life’s pleasures. However, the taste buds lose their sensitivity with age, and the tongue has fewer of them. Some of the pitfalls include:
Over salting, or sweetening foods. As a result, older adults are often tempted to put more salt or sugar on their food than they did in their younger years. This can lead to problems for those on special diets.
Malnutrition. When food becomes less tasty, it can also become unappealing, leading to weight loss and poor nutrition.
Fortunately, taste is rarely lost completely, and texture—crunchy or chewy foods—can be emphasized for variety.
Smell The ability to perceive odors declines with age, especially after age 70. While outwardly, this might seem to have some benefits, there are definite disadvantages:
Reduced pleasure in eating. for those who relate smells to the joy of food, it can reduce the pleasure of eating.
Potential to get sick from spoiled foods. A weak “sniffer” can also cause problems in that it’s more difficult to tell if food has gone bad.
Greater likelihood of injury. It’s harder to smell smoke in the case of a fire. Or a gas leak. It’s important to be sure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have fresh batteries and are tested regularly.
There are many theories about physical aging. The simplest explanation is that aging occurs as components in our cells wear out over time. This process begins in our twenties.
The cells in our body are constantly being replaced. Over the years, those cells don’t reproduce as accurately, nor as quickly as they did before. Bodily processes become less efficient. Healing takes longer. Everything slows down.
It’s not noticeable in younger people. But as the years accumulate, so do those little changes. The inefficiencies become more obvious. And they have consequences.
The changes in the five senses are part of the normal process of aging. Those errors in cell reproduction, however, can also open doorways for mutations (cancer), infections or other chronic conditions.
Women’s medical risks are different from men’s. Certainly for women and men both, any change that brings about pain, bleeding, fever, nausea, diarrhea or dizziness should signal the need to see a doctor. Also, an unintended loss in weight, or problems with general tasks of daily life that were easy before (driving, preparing meals, light housekeeping, paying bills, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting). These can indicate a medical problem worth investigating.
Early detection Many conditions develop without any outward signs. High blood pressure or cholesterol, for instance, do not have physical symptoms, but they can cause big problems if they go undetected. Fortunately, a good number of the diseases that develop in older adults can be prevented, cured, or at least managed well, if they are caught early.
Screening Guidelines
Below are the guidelines set out by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for regular screening exams for women 65 or older.
Blood pressure
Have your blood pressure checked every year.
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 Breast cancer
If you notice a change in your breasts, contact your doctor right away.
Once every 1-2 years up to age 70: Get a mammogram. Talk with your doctor if you are over 70 years old.
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Cholesterol and heart disease
Every 5 years: Have your cholesterol level checked (a fasting blood test).
Have it checked more often if you have diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems: ask your doctor.
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Colon Cancer
You should be screened for colorectal cancer until age 75. There are several screening tests available. Some common tests include:
Every year: a fecal occult blood test.
Every 5 years: a flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Every 10 years: a colonoscopy, unless you have risk factors for colon cancer. Ask your doctor about recommended frequency.
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Dental exams
Once or twice every year for an exam and cleaning.
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Diabetes
Every 3 years: Screening for diabetes.
More often if you are overweight and have other risk factors for diabetes: ask your doctor.
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Eye exams
Every 1-2 years: Have an eye exam.
At least every year if you have diabetes.
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General physical exam
Yearly: Get a physical exam with your doctor. Medicare will pay for this.
Hearing tests
If you have symptoms of hearing loss, have your ears tested.
Immunizations
Once: Get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had one, or if you received one more than 5 years before you turned 65.
Every year: Get a flu shot.
Every 10 years: Get a tetanus-diphtheria booster.
Once after age 60: You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccination.
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Lung Cancer
Once a year if you have a 30 pack-year smoking history AND you currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years: Get a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) until age 80.
Osteoporosis
Initial test at 65: All women over age 64 should have a bone density test(DEXA scan). Discuss with your doctor when you should have a follow-up scan.
Pelvic exam and pap smear
NO need for pap smear or pelvic exam if, by age 65, you have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer or precancer.
Men’s medical risks are different from women’s. Certainly for men and women both, any change that brings about pain, bleeding, fever, nausea, diarrhea or dizziness should signal the need to see a doctor. Also, an unintended loss in weight, or problems with general tasks of daily life that were easy before (driving, preparing meals, light housekeeping, paying bills, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting). These can indicate a medical problem worth investigating..
Early detection Many conditions develop without any outward signs. High blood pressure or cholesterol, for instance, do not have physical symptoms, but they can cause big problems if they go undetected. Fortunately, a good number of the diseases that develop in older adults can be prevented, cured, or at least managed well, if they are caught early.
Below are the guidelines set out by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for regular screening exams for men 65 or older.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Initial screening if you have been a smoker and are between 65 – 75: Ultrasound.
Blood pressure
Have your blood pressure checked every year.
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Cholesterol and heart disease
Every 5 years: Have your cholesterol level checked (a fasting blood test).
Have it checked more often if you have diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems: ask your doctor.
Colon Cancer You should be screened for colorectal cancer until age 75. There are several screening tests available. Some common tests include:
Every year: a fecal occult blood test.
Every 5 years: a flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Every 10 years: a colonoscopy, unless you have risk factors for colon cancer. Ask your doctor about recommended frequency.
Dental exams
Once or twice every year for an exam and cleaning.
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Diabetes
Every 3 years: Screening for diabetes.
More often if you are overweight and have other risk factors for diabetes: ask your doctor.
Eye exams
Every 1-2 years: Have an eye exam.
At least every year if you have diabetes.
General physical exam
Yearly: Get a physical exam with your doctor. Medicare will pay for this.
Hearing tests
If you have symptoms of hearing loss, have your ears tested.
Immunizations
Once: Get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had one, or if you received one more than 5 years before you turned 65.
Every year: Get a flu shot.
Every 10 years: Get a tetanus-diphtheria booster.
Once after age 60: You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccination.
Lung Cancer
Once a year if you have a 30 pack-year smoking history AND you currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years: Get a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) until age 80.
Osteoporosis
Men also have problems of thinning and brittle bones as they age.
Once: Men age 70 and over should consider getting bone mineral density testing.
Talk with your doctor to find out if you have risk factors for osteoporosis.
Prostate cancer
Talk with your provider about prostate cancer This is such a slow growing cancer that unless you have symptoms, it has been determined that the consequences of screening have been less beneficial than waiting for symptoms to appear.
We are living longer!
Only 100 years ago, the average person lived to their mid-fifties. Now, the average life expectancy is in the late seventies. If you’ve made it to 70 already, there’s a 20-30% chance you will see your 90th birthday. As for children born today, 10% of little girls are likely to live to 100 or more.
Are we living well?
While we are living longer lives, many of those years spent managing multiple chronic conditions. Diabetes. High blood pressure. Congestive heart failure. Alzheimer’s and other dementia’s. COPD. It is these chronic conditions that can profoundly impact our daily experience of life.
What you can control Know your numbers. Monitoring your health is the best way to identify a problem brewing and take immediate action. The American Heart Association suggests that every adult keep track of their
Blood Pressure
Cholesterol
Blood Sugar
Body Mass Index (Height-to-Weight calculation)
Talk with your doctor to find out where you stand and what you can do.
The importance of lifestyle changes to prevent or manage these chronic conditions cannot be over-emphasized. Ideally one makes those changes in mid-life (take note daughters and sons). But even in later years, eating well, stopping smoking and becoming more active can do a tremendous amount to help you feel better. And to stay independent and do the things you enjoy doing.
Improving quality of life
Quality of life is the ability to spend your days doing the things that give you joy or bring meaning to your life.
Of course, the goal is to live a long life. But as we age, the quantity of one’s days often becomes less important. The quality becomes a bigger priority. What most of us hope for is good health and then to die in our sleep. Not very common—or likely. Once you accept that, however, you can look candidly at ways to increase the quality of your days, no matter your state of health. In terms of your physical health, that revolves around four strategies:
Maximizing energy
Simplifying demands
Reducing pain and discomfort
Focusing on activities that bring joy and meaning
As experts in aging well, we can help you look realistically at your physical challenges. Together we can come up with strategies to give you maximum independence and the highest quality of life. Give us a call at 585-271-0400.
If we’re facing facts, we have to admit that at some point the physical challenges of aging will become unavoidable. Each of us will walk the path of losing abilities. Eventually we will succumb. This is not a battle we will ultimately win.
It may be a crisis that lands us in the hospital. Or, a terminal illness that allows us to die at home. It could be a heart attack. Or we could die because our organ systems gradually shut down and simply can’t function any more.
The last few days
On the day we die, we will usually have been in and out of consciousness for a week or more. Unlike the movies, very few people are awake, aware or talking. Breathing will have become erratic, as will the heartbeat. Eventually, the heart and lungs will find it too difficult to continue, and one breathe will simply not be followed by another. The heart will stop.
The three pathways Everyone hopes for a quick and painless death. To die in our sleep.
It used to be that most deaths were the result of injury or disease. They did tend to be quick, and often unexpected.
With modern medicine, things have changed. We now tend to die with multiple chronic conditions that have been managed more and more aggressively over time. One condition eventually over powers the body and becomes the actual cause of death.
Sometimes it helps to know what to expect.
Researchers have identified three general pathways for the last few years:
Episodes of crisis with adjustments in between. In our older years, most of us manage well enough. We adapt. Then something happens. There’s a fall. A sickness. A surgery. We bounce back, but not up to the level of general health and vitality we had before. We find a new normal, and cruise along. Then something else happens. We dip down, and we recover. Just not up to where we had been. As a rule, over time, these dips occur more frequently, and the bounce back is lower each time. This is a common pathway for people with CHF or COPD, for instance.
A short and rather steep decline. Some of us will get a disease, like cancer. If it is not the kind that can be cured, it has a relatively steep (short) decline.
A gradual decline. There are some of us who reach advanced years with few chronic conditions, and very few crises. This pathway is a bit different. One simply becomes more frail. We lose weight and become easily fatigued. We walk ever more slowly and become less active. That doesn’t mean unhappy. It’s just that the physical body sort of dwindles. Usually it is an infection, such as pneumonia that finally tips the scale. As an example, this gradual decline is the general pathway for Alzheimer’s Disease.
Our family worked with Marsha Raines of Aging Well Rochester at a crucial moment when our mother was experiencing a decline in her physical capacities after living on her own for most of her adult life. Marsha was our guiding light throughout the process: explaining, with compassion, the various options for Mom; guiding us through the application process for both rehab and long-term care; and ultimately, settling Mom in at her wonderful new home where she is safe, comfortable and happy. I wholeheartedly recommend Aging Well Rochester!
Was connect with Marsha from Aging Well Rochester while searching for assistance with understanding the system and what is needed for elder parent. Marsha provided me with information, guidance, and took the time to explain differences between assisted living, independent living, and what questions to ask while interviewing for a new home for my mother. Valuable information. Marsha continues to follow up to assist if needed. Very pleased and so glad found Aging Well at a crazy time.
Coming to grips with a parent's decline and figuring out how to meet their needs can be a terribly stressful ordeal. Marsha and her team made it vastly less so. Marsha's calm demeaner, wisdom and professionalism were invaluable during the 8 months during which my father's needs were rapidly changing. She has a wealth of knowledge about resources available in the community and was able to bring them to bear quickly. I will be eternally grateful for the emotional support she provided during the entire journey.
At a time when you don't know what you don't know, Marcia knows! She asks the right questions, narrows the choices, and provides direction. She definitely helped us feel more confident as we moved forward, and she was thoughtful enough to follow up to be sure we were making progress. Highly recommend.
Marsha's experience and knowledge are invaluable to our family during this difficult time! We can now take the necessary steps for our parents' care with confidence. Extremely helpful!
Marsha and staff were exceptional in their guidance though the difficult and unfamiliar journey of finding quality care for our aging parents. For over three years, they were able to anticipate needs, advocate for our parents, and provide support for them through various crises. We are so thankful for their expertise and compassion through all the changes. We highly recommend Aging Well Rochester to anyone seeking help with aging loved ones.
I just want to thank Aging Well Rochester for their assistance to complete an urgent PRI for my stepmother and also one for my father in case we needed it. The nurse went above & beyond to do that for us as we fortunately found a bed quickly for my stepmother. All went well & she is now receiving wonderful care at St. John's Home. Thank you Marsha and your staff - you made a difficult situation much easier.
Marsha Raines was incredible--responsive, caring and very knowledgeable. She helped me navigate options and provided excellent counsel. I highly recommend Aging Well to you if you are facing a difficult and emotional situation with a loved one who needs ongoing medical/rehabilitation placement and services. Marsha exceeded my expectations. Christine L.
Our initial consultation with Marsha Raines was very informative as it provided our family with a starting point concerning a long term care plan for our aging father. Her knowledge, experience and compassion allowed her to assess where each of us were in dealing with the emotional stress of the situation and provide recommendations to get us moving in the right direct with a long term care plan. Marsha helped us narrow our focus to ask the right questions regarding our next steps in care for our father. Thank you Marsha!
We were exceptionally fortunate to have Marsha Raines of Aging Well Rochester assist us in placing my wife in an appropriate facility. She guided me through all the paperwork, answered every question I had and resolved every impediment that we found in the process!Thanks so much Marsha!
We received great service from Marsha. Highly recommend. Navigating rehab and long-term care can be daunting. Marsha breaks down the ins and outs and helps bring the family to consensus on the best next steps.
Our family reached out to Aging Well Rochester for an understanding of the options and to seek clarity as to next steps for our elderly father regarding his future care. Marsha provided our family with the assistance, guidance and resources necessary to make a decision that was best for our father. Marsha's response to e-mails and phone calls was always in a timely manner and we truly appreciated all of her knowledge and expertise and would not hesitate to recommend Aging Well Rochester!!
Marsha understands the world of aging and the decisions that need to be made. She has both the education and experience to navigate a complex system to secure the best care as well as the expertise to guide throughout the process. My wife and I are grateful for her depth of knowledge, experience, skill, and compassion. We plan to use her as a resource for years to come!
Marsha Raines and her team have been a gift to my family. I'm on the West Coast, and her local knowledge has been extremely valuable in locating care options and knowing what to look for. Her direct style does not shy away from talking about tough issues, and in fact, makes it easier to devise a care plan. Marsha is a gem.
I truly appreciate the advice Marsha has to share. She has a great way of putting things into perspective and knows her stuff! Thank you for the advice, help, and input while trying to figure out the next steps with my parents.
I hired Marsha Raines to help me find the best Nursing Home for my husband. She was professional, quick to answer any questions I had, told me all I needed to do, and quick find him the right place. She was extremely helpful and compassionate with this difficult undertaking . I highly recommend anyone searching for a home for their loved one call Marsha before doing anything else!
Marsha level of expertise in this field has been tremendous. She explained the changes that occurred in the nursing homes industry. She took the time to research nursing homes for me and this afforded me time to focus on my mother's medical needs. I found Marsha to be resourceful and committed to helping me through this difficult time. I would highly recommend her service to you.
We moved our mom to a memory care residence, and in just a few short weeks we realized that it was not the right place for her. Distraught that we had made a horrible mistake, we needed help. I contacted Marsha and she met with our family to help sort things out. She took our concerns seriously, consulted with other industry professionals to assess our mom, and found us a better place for her. Just two weeks later we were able to move mom to a wonderful residence that cares for her properly and gives us all peace of mind. We are so grateful for Marsha and her ability to navigate the challenging world of eldercare on our behalf.
My husband, Bradley, needed to be moved to an adult home due to my inability to continue caring for his needs. I had no idea where to turn until Marsha Raines name was given to me. It is very difficult to navigate this process while you are under stress and her kindness and actions got the process started making it much less painful. I highly recommend her for her insurance knowledge which was extremely helpful to me.Mary Ellen Hindson, Rochester, NY
Marsha Raines assisted our family through the most trying time of our lives with Mom. She was extremely knowledgeable about placement, finances local care available and placement. She was personally involved in contacting the care facility to assist in mom getting placement.Her recommendation of the Presbyterian Home was spot on. All grants recommended came through and we were able to continue her care until she passed away.Thank you Aging Well. I would recommend her services highly.
My parents needed more assistance than I could give working full-time in another state in 2015. They were facing medical issues and needed to move out of their beloved home of 60 years. Since then, Marsha and her team have been instrumental in supporting my parents, and me, through good times and bad. They arranged movers, set up and attended doctor appointments, arranged for aides and companions to assist my parents in living safely and independently, and checked in on them to be sure they were comfortable and happy. Marsha has been an incredible resource to me, providing information and advice when needed in a direct yet sincere manner. I feel relieved to know that Marsha is there to help when I can’t be, keeping me informed, and checking in when needed. She is an incredible resource and advocate for the elderly and their families.
I contacted Marsha two weeks ago. I quickly learned that a PRI, exam to determine the level of care was needed to go into a nursing home. I was given 10 local agencies that could do it. I chose "Aging Well". Marsha was so personable on the phone, getting all the fact. She was able to arrange the exam in 5 days. The nurse showed up on time and my aunt chatted away. Two days later I got an urgent call from my aunt begging me to find her a new place immediately, she had a horrible weekend and wanted out. So, I called Marsha back that same day and asked her to take our case on and help get my aunt placed ASAP. She was pleased to help. She sent me the 3 applications to the facilities my aunt wanted by the end of the day. She kept in close contact with me the next couple of days with words of encouragement while I scrambled to get the information. I submitted the first one. Marsha personally went into the facility and spoke to the intact person giving her more details of my aunt. 5 days later, I moved my aunt into the facility she wanted. Here is a photo of her reaction. Marsha is focused, very knowledgeable, explains the process well, upbeat and is very encouraging. I would work with her again in a heart beat. She is the best.
I have worked with Marsha for 5 years now and have been consistently impressed with her diligence and dedication to providing top notch innovative and caring service. She creatively reaches out to others in the community to put together programs that will provide her clients with the high quality care they need and deserve. She is an extremely responsive and creative care manager!
I have been working with Marsha since 2008 planning for the aging process and various transitions for my parents.She has always been incredibly helpful, knowledgable and available. Over the years she has grown the organization, but still maintains that level of support. Her manner is caring and supportive yet direct, a quality that I have found very comforting and helpful during stressful transitions. I can't recommend highly enough.
Aging well Rochester did an AMAZING job of helping my family deal with my experience and Hospitalization with Covid 19. Marsha worked with my children and family and the hospital staff to make sure that I would receive the care needed upon my return home. I can't thank them enough for making this experience as easy as it could be.
Living more than 500 miles away from Rochester, visiting my mother as often as we would like was a challenge. Luckily I found Marsha Raines and her colleagues at Aging Well Rochester. Their visits to my mom were so frequent and warm that the staff at the nursing home thought they were family! Actually that's how we think of them. In addition to the care and support for my mother, the feedback and advice Marsha and her colleagues provided us was always timely and helpful. I consider the day I found Marsha to be one of my luckiest. I can't imagine the last few years without Aging Well Rochester! Thank you for enriching my mother's life and ours.
Aging is about change
As many as 30% of persons 75 or older have experienced at least some vision loss. This is due, in great part, to Presbyopia, literally “old sight.” Presbyopia begins in middle-age and is caused by the lens of the eye becoming less flexible. The normal changes of aging result in
Nearly one quarter of persons 65 – 74 and half of those 75 and older have a disabling hearing loss. It’s not a matter only of volume, but also being unable to hear words clearly. Loss of hearing has deep consequences.
The sense of touch involves not only the skin but also our nerves and brain. As we age, we become less aware of pain, temperature, pressure, vibration and the position of our body. Reduced sensitivity can lead to:
Eating is one of life’s pleasures. However, the taste buds lose their sensitivity with age, and the tongue has fewer of them. Some of the pitfalls include:
The ability to perceive odors declines with age, especially after age 70. While outwardly, this might seem to have some benefits, there are definite disadvantages:
Women’s medical risks are different from men’s. Certainly for women and men both, any change that brings about pain, bleeding, fever, nausea, diarrhea or dizziness should signal the need to see a doctor. Also, an unintended loss in weight, or problems with general tasks of daily life that were easy before (driving, preparing meals, light housekeeping, paying bills, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting). These can indicate a medical problem worth investigating.
Men’s medical risks are different from women’s. Certainly for men and women both, any change that brings about pain, bleeding, fever, nausea, diarrhea or dizziness should signal the need to see a doctor. Also, an unintended loss in weight, or problems with general tasks of daily life that were easy before (driving, preparing meals, light housekeeping, paying bills, dressing, bathing, eating, toileting). These can indicate a medical problem worth investigating..
Know your numbers. Monitoring your health is the best way to identify a problem brewing and take immediate action. The American Heart Association suggests that every adult keep track of their
