1.2 Healthcare of Older Adult Flashcards
1
Q
Chronic Condition
A
- Requires ongoing adjustments by affected person and interactions with healthcare system
2
Q
Correcting Delivery systems of Chronic Illness
A
- Rushed practitioners not following established practice guidelines
- Lack of care coordination and care
- Lack of active follow-up to ensure best outcome
- Patients inadequately trained to manage their illness
3
Q
Overcoming Deficiencies of Healthcare
A
- Change healthcare from being re-active (responding when sick) to pro-active (focusing on keeping people as healthy as possible)
4
Q
Demographics of Aging
A
- Proportion of Americans 65+ has tripled
- Life expectancy varies by gender/race
- Life expectancy dramatically rose in the past 100 years
5
Q
Manifestations of Aging
A
- Increased mortality
- Biochemical composition and tissue changes
- Progressive decrease in physiological capacity
- Increased vulnerability to disease
- Diminished adaptation to environmental stimuli
6
Q
Manifestations of aging
A
- Cellular Changes
- Altered metabolic processes
- Altered perfusion
- Impaired mobility
- Proliferative changes
- Impaired immune response
- Fluid/electrolyte imbalance
- Appearance
- Altered Nutrition
7
Q
Cellular Changes
A
Cause functional decline and measurable changes in physical appearance
- Prevents organs from functioning and full efficiency
- Diminished ability to maintain homeostasis
- Increased risk to disease and stress
- Increased rates of anemia
- Atrophy (organs shrink)
- Hypertrophy
- Impaired Mitosis
- Deposition of lipids
- Damage from free radicals
- Accumulation of metabolic waste
- Deposition of lipofuscin
8
Q
Cardiovascular Changes
A
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death
- Decreased cardiac output (myocardial hypertrophy)
- Reduced stroke volume due to increased fibrosis
- Hypertension and increased workload.
- Slower heart recovery rate to stress
- Orthostatic hypertension
9
Q
Cardiovascular Changes
A
- Decreased elasticity of vascular smooth muscle
- Increased afterload
- Atherosclerosis
- Reduced density of pulmonary capillaries which limits oxygen availability
10
Q
Respiratory System
A
- Age related changes are subtle and gradual
- There is little decline in respiratory system
- Diminished respiratory efficiency
- Lung masses decrease and residual volume increases
- Smoking is the most important risk factor
- Regular exercise, appropriate fluid intake, immunizations and avoidance of ill people can help older adults maintain adequate respiratory function
11
Q
Integumentary System
A
- Temperature regulation, sensation, excretion
- Dermis becomes thinner
- Elastic fibers decrease, collagen becomes stiffer
- Subcutaneous fat diminishes (less able to retain body heat)
- Skin is dryer and decrease in tolerance to temp change
- Hair loss and greying
12
Q
Genitourinary System (GU System)
A
- Kidney mass may decrease (decreased nephrons)
- Decreased filtration rate and tubular function
- Slower restoration of acid-base balance
- Medications can change the function
- Urinary incontinence is common (look to see issues)
- More susceptible to UTI (adequate fluid intake)
- Risk of poor nutrition
13
Q
Gastrointestinal System (GI System)
A
- Decreased thirst, smell, taste
- Decreased salivation
- Difficulty chewing/swallowing
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Diminished secretion of gastric acid and pepsin
- Reduced GI motility
More susceptible to - Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fecal incontinence
- Fecal impaction
14
Q
Musculoskeletal System
A
- Affects mobility
- Decrease in bone density and muscle mass
- Degeneration in function of joints
- Encourage patients to have regular exercise
(Aerobic, flexibility, resistance exercises)
15
Q
Osteoporosis
A
- More susceptible to hip/bone fractures
- This is a preventable disease
- Get adequate calcium and vitamin D
- Engage in weight bearing exercise
- Avoid smoking/alcohol
- Have bone density test and take medications when appropriate
