7.1 Older Adults and Aphasia Flashcards
How do we define ‘older people’?
In healthcare contexts, someone
over the age of 65 are generally considered an older person.
However, people can biologically age at different rates e.g. someone aged 75 may be healthier than someone aged 60.
Instead of just age, ‘frailty’ has a bigger impact on their likelihood to require care and support
Older adults are also an extraordinarily diverse group. Some work, some are retired, some raise grandchildren, some have chronic disabilities
What percentage of the world’s population are aged 65 or older?
16.8% (ONS)
What is “ageism”?
Treating someone unfairly based on their age. Also known as age discrimination
What are 4 examples of ageism?
Losing a job
Being refused credit or insurance
Receiving lower quality of service
Being refused a referral from a doctor
… because of age
What does the Equality Act 2010 (UK) say about age?
Age is a “protected characteristic” and it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their age
What are the 4 types of age discrimination?
Direct - Someone treats an older person worse
Indirect - Policies or ways of working disadvantage older people
Harassment - Older people are offended or degraded
Victimisation - An older person is mistreated after making a complaint
What percentage of people aged 65 and above in the UK use the internet at home?
69% (Ofcom)
How do functional abilities decline in older people? (4)
Vision - Reduced contrast sensitivity and colour perception, age-related near-sightedness making it difficult to read
Hearing - Difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds and separating sounds
Physical ability - Reduced dexterity and fine motor control
Cognitive ability - Reduced short-term memory, difficulty concentrating, and being easily distracted
What does Don Norman say about designing for the elderly?
Norman says that when companies design things specifically for older people, they tend to be ugly and “we can do better”
What is dementia?
A cognitive impairment that affects ability to remember, think, or
make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities
What are the characteristics of Parkinson’s disease? (3)
Hands - Tremors, slowness of
movement, muscle stiffness, loss of fine hand movements
Cognitive - Memory loss, slower thinking and information processing
Moving - Problem with balance and walking
What are co-created personas?
Personas are user archetypes that illustrate particular goals, needs and wants. They are usually based on data collected by a researcher.
In co-created personas, participants themselves develop the personas, building on their own lived experience and first-hand knowledge
