I’ve never really taken a deeper thought into aging, let alone my own aging before I took Adult Health Four at UNE. This course helped open up a lot of my own discussion into a personal reflection on aging, especially with the life-review photo book and narrative assignment. This project consisted on interviewing an individual over the age of 65 years old about their life and any major life events that they’ve experienced. My partner and I had a few thoughtful discussions over the course of a week or two about this individuals life reflection. We talked about where she grew up and how it was growing up in that area back then compared to now. She explained her family dynamics growing up with her parents and siblings, and how it’s so different from what we see today. We then talked about her teenage years and how high school was for her, and then onto her college years. During this time she had also gotten married and had two children of her own, something she was really proud of. We talked about small life events shes experienced from traveling and celebrating with her family, to big events such as graduating college, starting a career, and getting married to the love of her life. We also talked about the hardships that she experience in life. This includes being diagnosed with breast cancer and loosing her husband a few years back. After the interview, she stated that she was happy with what she’s accomplished but if she could go back she would make some changes.

Going though this interview process with someone who’s lived a full life shows me that aging is something not to be scared of, it’s a part of life. Everyone ages differently, however, it’s important to takes steps now to have less health complications in the future. This includes things such as daily exercise and ensuring that you eat a healthy diet, with the occasional cookie dough ice cream. I know that assessing my own family history, both my grandfathers had diabetes and passed away due to complications from the disease. Knowing this, I can help reduce my own risk of developing diabetes as I age by heating a healthier diet now and regularly exercise as well. I’ve always had this thought in the back of my mind that I might develop the disease related to my family history, however, there are preventable measures for type two diabetes. In class, we learned about how advancements in medical technology and medicine have allowed us to live longer. However, I do believe that there is a fine line between quality and quantity in life. 

As I go forward into my own practice, the information that I’ve learned in this class will help when taking care of the older adult population. I will take into account polypharmacy and how we as the nurse can do medication reconciliation to determine if there are medications that we can stop usage of. There is an increased risk of adverse reactions with just a few medications, and a lot of older adults are on ten or more. I understand how Erickson’s theories of growth and development play a key role in aging and end of life care. As the nurse, we should always support our patients and advocate them in the decisions that they make for end of life such as having a DNR or ADN. In addition, I feel more prepared in having a discussion about sexuality with the older adult population and how to promote safe sex practices in older age.

One more thing I want to note is that I think we need to realize that life is short. Thinking back to the interview, our interviewee stated that if they could go back, she would change some things. I think that with being young now and hearing this from an older individual, it teaches you an important lesson that you should always take a leap of faith. Even if it’s uncomfortable and your uncertain, you should do what every you think is the best for you so you don’t regret it in the future. Life is too short.