Ageing and Society

Question 1

Describe the changes that have lead to an “ageing population”

Answer 1

Less babies being born

Baby boomers now entering older age

Question 2

What problems are caused by a small young population and increasing older population?

Answer 2

• Less young people to treat the elderly
• financial problems as pensions have to last longer
• less people are of working age to contribute to economy
• NHS under more stress with ill older people

Question 3

Patients who are older are at an increased risk of having a disability. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

What are ADLs and how can they be used to determine a patients ability?

Answer 4

ADL = Activities of Daily Living
(e.g. cooking/cleaning/washing and dressing themselves)

Allows us to see how well the patient is able to function themself at home or whether they require extra care

Question 5

Describe the term “healthy life expectancy”

Answer 5

The age to which people will live a healthy life before co-morbidities are introduced

e.g. a patient can live to 55 before developing hypertension

Question 6

What is “Life extension”?

Answer 6

This is when the portion of a patients life where they are disabled/ experiencing co-morbidities is prolonged

Question 7

What is “compression of morbidity”?

Answer 7

This gives the patient a longer “healthy life expectancy” and reduces the portion of time that they are disabled

Question 8

What is the main cause of co-morbidity/ disability?

Answer 8

Cardiovascular disease

- particularly stroke and heart failure

Question 9

What other conditions are important in patients with co-morbidity and disability?

Answer 9

Cancer
Arthritis/ MSK problems
COPD/ Respiratory problems

Question 10

Quality of life of older patients is usually compromised. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 10

FALSE
Older patients may think their healthy life expectancy has been a good life and have a positive outlook regardless of becoming ill

Question 11

What is “ageism”?

Answer 11

belief that older people are of less value than younger people

Question 12

Where does ageism often present?

Answer 12

• The media
• Public services (older people disadvantaged e.g. no ramp access etc)
• Employers
• Relatives
• Healthcare professionals
• Older people themselves (begin to believe the stereotype)

Question 13

What roles do retired older people play in society?

Answer 13

• Older people have experience – at work/ in communities
• Voluntary work
• Role as carers (spouse, grandparents)
• Some do still work
• Consumers

Question 14

What are the 4 main types of elder abuse?

Answer 14

Financial
verbal
physical
sexual

Question 15

Close relatives are commonly those found to be committing elder abuse. TRUE/FALSE?

Answer 15

TRUE

e.g. children stealing their elderly parents money would be considered elder abuse

Question 16

How are the elderly cared for differently int he modern day than before?

Answer 16

Most family members now work => no dedicated carer unlike before

Most families now live apart, whereas before all extended family would attempt to stay together

Question 17

Care of the elderly in Low/Middle Income countries is similar to the older model. Why is this?

Answer 17

Lack of money and resources means a lack of care homes and carers

Therefore families in these countries remain close knit to care for each other.