Ageing and society

Question 1

Define Ageism

Answer 1

Unacceptable behaviour that occurs as a result of the belief that older people are of less value than young people

Question 2

What is Comprehensive geriatric assessment?

Answer 2

An MDT approach to diagnose an elderly person based on medical, functional and psychological capability to develop a plan for treatment and followup

Question 3

What does GCA comprise?

Answer 3

Medical

• Problem list
• Med review
• Nutrition
• Comorbidities

Function

• Gait
• ADLs

Psychological
- Mental status + Mood

Social
- Informal needs + friends

Question 4

What benefits does a GCA have for patients?

Answer 4

Reduced mortality
Improve function
Improve cognition
Reduces need for nursing home
Reduction in subsequent admissions

Question 5

Why do elderly people commonly get hypothermia with sepsis?

Answer 5

They are more likely to become infected by gram negative bacteria which cause hypothermia, young people tend to become infected with gram positive

Question 6

Why does illness carry a higher mortality rate in older people?

Answer 6

Impaired physiology, immune systems and more comorbidities