In the movie Grumpy Old Men, the main character, John (Jack Lemmon), and his lifelong friend Max (Walter Matthau) personify what it means to be grumpy grandpas. John and Max are both retired widowers who live mostly sedentary lives but enjoy fishing and socializing with family and friends. The characters they play suggest that the tendency to be moody or a grumpy grandpa is a normal part of aging, when in fact, it is not. However, there are some common occurrences as one ages that may impact the ability to participate in everyday activities.

The truth is that it is almost impossible to provide adequate support, when you are uncertain about what is attributed to the normal aging process as opposed to what is associated with disease. It is vital to ensure that as a frontline caregiver you have access to the information needed, so that you can manage the care of a client in a loving, efficient, and practical manner that is easily understood. In this course, the normal aging process is discussed. The differences between acute and chronic diseases are explored. The course concludes with suggestions so that you may assist those for whom you care maintain their highest level of functioning.