Urinary Systems
Description
When we begin to age, many changes take place. In women, menopause occurs in their mid-40s to 50s and is marked by the lack of her period for at least 1 year due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen (1). Some symptoms include hot flashes, headaches, muscle pain, and mood changes that can sometimes cause depression (1).
Men also go through a similar process called andropause which is caused by a decrease in the hormone testosterone (4). The decline in testosterone starts for men in their 40s and leads to symptoms like reduced muscle and bone mass, tiredness, sleeping difficulties, anxiety, and depression(4). These symptoms are usually less noticeable than those of menopause (4).
Urinary Systems Simulation #1 FEELING BLUE
The goal of the simulation “Feeling Blue” is to mimic the symptoms of depression that older males and females experience as the hormones in their bodies change. In this simulation, you will sit in a position where your body language looks closed off. You will also listen to an audio that simulates the depressive thoughts that someone who is aging may think. By completing this simulation, you will better understand the mental struggles that aging men and women face and will be more empathetic to those experiencing this.
Materials
- A device to play the audio off of (computer or phone)
- Headphones (optional)
- Mirror
- Chair
Procedure
Setup
- Open the 2-minute audio clip on a computer or a phone. If you would like, you can use headphones.
- Find a chair and a spot in your house where you can sit with your body in a closed-off position (head facing down, slouching, or wrapping arms around the stomach)
Activity 1: Ready, Set, Listen
1. When you are ready, close your eyes and press play on one of the audio clips listed on the site. Choose the one you think best fits you (male or female audio clips are available).
2. Listen to the words and put yourself in their shoes.
Activity 2: Mood Changes
1. Once the audio ends, spend 2 minutes reflecting on how the audio makes you feel compared to before you listened to it.
Activity 3: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
1. Walk to your closest mirror and spend 2 minutes looking at yourself.
2. Think about how you see yourself now or what thoughts come to mind during this 2 minute period.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 6 minutes.
** TRIGGER WARNING** This simulation will be mimicking depression and anxiety
Male Andropause Audio:
Female Menopause Audio:
Reflection Questions
- How did listening to the audio clip make you feel?
- Did you think of yourself differently than you normally do?
- Thinking about your experience, how do you think it would feel to try to complete daily activities/socialize while feeling these negative emotions?
Description
Urinary incontinence is an age-related disorder that involves the leaking of pee that is out of your control. It affects 1 in 3 older adults living in Canadian communities (1). On top of the physical issues that come with urinary incontinence, it also impacts one’s social life, mental health, and emotions (22). Urinary Incontinence is not a normal part of aging, however, with treatment, symptoms can get better (1).
Urinary Systems Simulation #2 WHERE'S THE BATHROOM?
The simulation Where’s the Bathroom lets you experience the feeling of needing to pee and the daily struggles that older adults face while living with urinary incontinence. In this simulation, you will place a balloon filled with water between your upper thighs while completing daily tasks. The goal of this simulation is to understand how challenging daily activities can become while living with urinary incontinence to help us empathize with those who have this condition.
Materials
- 1 balloon or a Ziploc bag
- A water source
- Shoes with laces
- Chair or sofa
- Access to stairs (or a stepping stool instead of stairs)
- Extra clothing (shirt, sweater, pants, etc.)
- Towels to clean up any spilt water
Procedure
Setup
- If you would like to feel how uncomfortable wearing an adult diaper can be, put on extra clothing (shirts, sweater, or pants) in the top part of your pants at the front and the back. This is optional.
- Wrap the part of the balloon which you blow into around the sink faucet and turn on the tap to allow it to fill with water. Once around the size of a small ball, turn off the tap and take your balloon off the faucet. (If you do not have a balloon, you can fill a Ziploc bag with water and close it.)
- Tie the balloon.
- Find an area where you are comfortable spilling water. You may want to consider placing towels on the floor before doing these activities or completing some activities outside.
- Once ready to begin, place the balloon between your upper thighs, just above your knees.
Activity 1: Tying Your Shoe
1. With the balloon still between your legs, try to step into a pair of shoes.
2. Once you have both feet in, bend over and tie up the shoes.
3. After tying the shoes, return to a standing position and make note of how hard it was to bend down, how difficult it was to stand up and how hard it was to step into your shoes.
Activity 2: Reaching Great Heights1. With the balloon still between your legs, walk over to any high shelf you have in your home.
2. Stand on your tiptoes and stretch up to reach something on the top shelf.
Activity 3: Walking Down the Stairs1. Start at the top of a staircase or with a stepping stool in front of you and place the balloon between your legs.
2. Now try to make your way down the stairs without dropping the balloon or step up and down on your stepping stool a few times. Were you successful?
Activity 4: Sitting Down and Standing Up
1. Finally, sit down on a chair or couch with the balloon between your legs.
2. Slowly attempt to stand up, using any nearby supports if needed.
Post-Activity1. After all these activities, think about how difficult it was to do these daily tasks and move your body. Pay attention to how uncomfortable the extra clothing in your pants felt while sitting, walking, and standing. Think about how it would feel to not be able to control your pee while completing these activities of day-to-day life.
Simulation Video
Duration of simulation - 6-8 minutes.
Reflection Questions
- How did it feel to have the balloon between your thighs? Did it make tasks harder or easier?
- What emotions did you feel while trying to complete the tasks with the balloon in your thighs?
- How do you think you would feel if this feeling was part of your daily routine? How would it affect the activities you like to do?
