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Aging
Overview of Aging
Life changes as we become older. Some people enter the later stages of life feeling positive about life. Wisdom and experience alter how we see the world. There are many benefits that come from living a long life. However, the aging process can also be challenging. A person may notice physical changes that make it hard to hear or see things clearly. Health problems can lead to increases in pain and discomfort. Moving around or managing tasks that used to be easy to complete are now difficult. It can be harder to remember things or pay attention when people are talking about something important. Feelings of frustration and loss are natural when we can no longer do things that we once took for granted. People who are aging may feel that they are no longer as independent and in control of their lives. Positive supports are used to help people who are elderly adjust to the changes that occur with age. These practices are often used to improve quality of life and mental health in nursing homes, medical settings, with family members at home, and in the community.Stories Across the Lifespan
The following stories describe how older adults who are aging can access positive supports.
Aging Resources
- Older Americans and Behavioral Health from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Administration on Aging (AoA) (external web page)
- Star Tribune Article Describing Person-Centered Practices and Positive Behavior Support (external web page)
- Healthy Aging and Disability (external web page)
- Health Education for the Elderly (pdf)
- Impact: Feature Issue on Aging and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (external web page)
- Caregiver’s Guide: Information and Resources About Alzheimer’s disease and Other Dementias (pdf)
- Strengthening Community-Based Services for Asian American and Pacific Islanders Affected by Dementia (pdf)
- Minnesota Age & Disabilities Annual Conference (external web page)
- DHS Home and Community Based Services (external web page)
- Minnesota Department of Human Services for Seniors (external web page)
- Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS) (external web page)
- Evidence-based Disease Prevention – Center for Healthy Aging (external web page)
- Mental Health and Aging in America (pdf)
- National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals–Aging with Dignity: Direct Support Professionals Supporting Individuals and Families in the Process (pdf)
- Person-Centered Thinking: Improving the Quality of Person-centered Planning (pdf)
Positive Support Strategies for Aging
Below are some articles designed to provide important background information about topics that are relevant across lifespans and settings.
- Applied Behavior Analysis in Practice – ABA is focused on better understanding how different variables impact an individual’s behavior.
- Assertive Community Treatment History – A group of mental health professionals reviewed the mental health system to determine strategies to help people remain in their communities.
- Person-Centered Planning and Promoting Quality of Life – One way to think about person-centered practices from a systems perspective is to use a Three-Tiered Model of Positive Supports.
- PBS and Preventing Problem Behavior Using the Three-Tiered System – Considering larger organizational issues can be a helpful way to create a positive climate and prevent challenging behavior.
- Positive Behavior Support and Individualized Planning – The first step in an individualized positive behavior support process at Tier 3 is to set up a person-centered plan.
- Trauma Informed Approaches and Three-Tiered Systems of Positive Support – Trauma informed care approaches are implemented across education and human service organizations.
- Relationship Between Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Support – Understand the history and current relationship between Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Support