(A) Normal Aging & Neurological Impairment

Question 1

What ages are
seniors
young geriatrics
old geriatrics

Answer 1

seniors: 65-75 yo
young geriatric: 76-85 yo
old geriatric: 85+

Question 2

What changes occur with aging for your vision

Answer 2

1. reduce eye m strength
2. degeneration of sclera, pupil, iris
3. decreased transparency of cornea
4. increased rigidity of lens
5. slowing of cns processing

Question 3

what are the functional impact of vision changes with aging?

Answer 3

• poor eye coordination
• distorted images
• require glasses
• decrease depth perception & peripheral vision (diff driving at night)
• loss of color sensitivity
• diff recognizing moving objects

Question 4

what are changes that occur to hearing w aging?

Answer 4

• decrease overal hearing d/t damage/loss of hair cell

- degeneration of central auditory pathways

Question 5

what are the functional impact of hearing changes w aging

Answer 5

• difficulty hearing higher frequency, high consonants

- difficulty filtering background noise during conversation

Question 6

what changes occur with taste w aging and what are the functional impact

Answer 6

decrease taste bud
=> higher threshhold for identification of substance
=> tasteless food may lead to nutritional problem (so sweet/salty so they can taste)

Question 7

what changes occur with the vestibular system with aging and what are the functional impact

Answer 7

decreased righting response

=> diff maintaining balance & gait => increased risk of fall

Question 8

what changes occur to smell w aging and what is the funcitonal impact?

Answer 8

degeneration of sensory cell
=> decrease threshold sensitivity for odors, decreased ability to appreciate flavor of foor, decreaase ability to detect harmful odors

Question 9

what are the changes that occur with touch with aging and what are the functional impact?

Answer 9

slowed n conduction velocity

=> decrease sensation, altered perception of pain

Question 10

what changes occur in the cns and pns w aging?

Answer 10

1. atrophy of cerebrum and csf
2. neuron loss or atrophy
3. changes in synapse/neurotransmitter
4. cellular abnomarlities

Question 11

what are the functional consequences of changes in cns and pns with aging

Answer 11

• cognitive changes (memory)
• change in behavior
• reduced sensibility, coordination, dexterity
• slower reaction time

Question 12

what changes occur to the musculoskeletal system with ages and what are the functional impact

Answer 12

• decrease muscle fiber size and number
• increase dat & CT
• decrease m flexibility & endurance
• less resilient tendon/ligament
• cartilage deterioration
• loss bone mass

=> reduced mobility, strength, endurance, general function

Question 13

what is polypharmacy

Answer 13

can occur in odler adults: when taking multiple medications, can interact w one another and impede on their function

Question 14

what is delirium

Answer 14

change in behavior d/t environment causing change overal in health
- last 3 d to 3 wk

Question 15

What is a neurological impairment

Answer 15

disease, inj, disorder that impair NS

Question 16

what are the 5 dimensions that could be affected with neuro conditions

Answer 16

1. motor function (balance, enduration, sensation)
2. cognitive function (attention, memory, alertness, orientation, executive function)
3. behavior
4. perceptual function (visual perception, unilateral neglect, hemaniopsia)
5. swallowing (dysphagia, aspiration)

Question 17

what are the 6 behavior changes that may occur in neuro condition

Answer 17

1. disinhibition
2. flat affect (cant show emotions)
3. agitation
4. wandering
5. perseveration (continous repetitive motor action that needs to be stopped)
6. changes in mental health