14: The Physical Challenges of Old Age Flashcards
universal, often progressive signs of physical deterioration intrinsic to the aging process
normal aging
health disorders that do not abate but persist and often get worse over time
chronic disease
difficulty in performing everyday tasks that are required for living independently - basic or instrumental
activities of daily life (ADL) problems
difficulty performing everyday household tasks, such as cooking and cleaning
instrumental ADL problems
difficulty performing essential self-care activities, such as rising from a chair, eating, and getting to the toilet
basic ADL limitations
the worldwide disparity between the health of rich people and poor people
socioeconomic health gap
the fact that, although generally less affluent, Hispanic Americans statistically outlive whites - likely due to closeness of multigenerational households
Hispanic paradox
the number of years people can expect to live without ADL problems
health span
age-related midlife difficulty with near vision, caused by the inability of the lens to bend
presbyopia
a transparent, disk-shaped structure in the eye that bends to allow us to see close objects
lens
age-related difficulty in hearing, particularly high-pitched tones, caused by the atrophy of the hearing receptors (hair cells) located in the inner ear
presbycusis
infant-like communication style used when an older person looks frail and impaired, involving talking loudly and slowly
elderspeak
the speed at which a person can respond to a stimulus
reaction time
an age-related chronic disease in which the bones become porous, fragile, and prone to breaking - most prevalent in women, particularly thin women
osteoporosis
general terms for any illness involving serious, progressive cognitive decline that interferes with a person’s ability to live independently
major neurocognitive disorder (dementia)
a type of age-related cognitive disorder caused by multiple small strokes - issues with blood flow to the brain
vascular neurocognitive disorder (vascular dementia)
a type of age-related neurocognitive disorder characterized by neural atrophy and abnormal brain structures, such as senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles - makes functioning highly difficult
Alzheimer’s disease
long, wavy filaments that replace normal neurons and are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease
neurofibrillary tangles
thick, bullet-like amyloid-laden structures that replace normal neurons and are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease
senile plaques
U.S. government’s health insurance program for elderly people
Medicare
services and settings designed to keep older people who are experiencing age-related disabilities that don’t merit intense 24-hour care from having to enter nursing homes
alternatives to institutionalization
elderly housing option characterized by different levels of care - people enter in relatively good health, then move to sections providing more intense help when they grow more disabled
continuing-care retirement community
elderly housing option providing care for people with disabilities that, while significant, do not require a nursing home - less medicalized, more homey setting
assisted-living facility
center offering activities and a safe place to go during the day for impaired older adults living with relatives
day-care program
