Ageing (Lecture) Flashcards
What is telomere shortening?
With each cell division, telomeres (chromosome end caps) shorten, leading to cell senescence.
What is the Free Radical Theory?
Accumulated oxidative damage from free radicals harms DNA, proteins, and cell membranes.
What does the Mitochondrial Theory propose?
Ageing is driven by the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations causing cellular energy failure.
What is Genetic Programming in the context of ageing?
Some genes may control ageing by regulating cellular repair and apoptosis (programmed cell death).
What cardiovascular changes occur with ageing?
Decreased elasticity of vessels and reduced cardiac output.
What is sarcopenia?
Muscle mass loss associated with ageing.
What is immunosenescence?
Declined immune response due to ageing.
What does ageism refer to?
Discrimination or stereotyping based on age, especially toward older people.
What is one impact of ageism on older patient care?
Delayed diagnosis as symptoms may be dismissed as ‘normal ageing.’
What does the Role of a Carer for Older People include?
Daily support, medical help, emotional support, and advocacy.
What is the Attendance Allowance?
A benefit for those needing help with personal care.
What are the four processes of ageing?
- Biological
- Chronological
- Psychological
- Social
What is Geriatric Medicine?
A subspeciality of general internal medicine focused on older adults.
What is the Hayflick limit?
The number of times a normal somatic human cell will divide before cell division stops.
What does the Disposable Soma Theory suggest?
Organisms prioritize reproduction over body maintenance, leading to aging.
What is sarcopenia related to?
- Disuse atrophy
- Hormonal changes
- Neuronal degeneration
- Impaired protein synthesis
What is immunosenescence characterized by?
Age-related decline in immune system function.
What cardiovascular changes occur with ageing?
- Reduced elastin
- Increased collagen and calcium deposits
- Decreased vessel wall compliance
What are common changes in the renal system with ageing?
- Reduced GFR
- Loss of renal mass
- Basement membrane thickening
- Increased renal artery resistance
What gastrointestinal changes occur with ageing?
- Impaired mastication
- Reduced oesophageal motility
- Increased incidence of atrophic gastritis
What respiratory changes occur with ageing?
- Increased residual volume
- Reduced vital capacity
- Decreased respiratory muscle strength
What are common eye changes with ageing?
- Presbyopia
- Cataracts
- Decreased ciliary muscles contractility
What is presbyacusis?
Bilateral high frequency hearing loss associated with ageing.
What endocrine changes occur in ageing females post-menopause?
- Decreased oestrogen
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
Fill in the blank: Ageing is driven by the accumulation of _______.
[mitochondrial DNA mutations]
True or False: The Activity Theory states that older adults should withdraw from society.
False
What is the role of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau?
Offers legal and financial advice.
What is the impact of poor communication on older patients?
Can lead to misdiagnosis, non-adherence to treatment, and patient frustration.
What are some psychological theories of ageing?
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Jung’s process of self-reflection
- Erikson’s integrity vs. despair
What are the challenges in geriatric medicine?
- Multiple diagnoses
- Non-specific symptoms
- Increased prevalence of mental issues
- Polypharmacy
What is the Telomere Shortening theory of ageing?
Telomeres shorten with each cell division, eventually leading to cellular senescence and apoptosis
What does the Free Radical theory propose?
Ageing results from cumulative oxidative damage by free radicals to DNA, proteins, and membranes.
Describe the Mitochondrial theory of ageing.
Ageing is driven by mitochondrial DNA mutations that impair energy production.
What is the idea behind Genetic Programming in ageing?
Certain genes regulate ageing by controlling cell repair and programmed cell death.
What changes occur in the cardiovascular system with age?
Decreased vessel elasticity, increased collagen and calcium, reduced diastolic function, valvular sclerosis, and arrhythmia risk.
What is sarcopenia and what causes it?
Age-related muscle loss due to disuse, hormonal decline, and neuronal degeneration.
Define immunosenescence.
Age-related immune decline with fewer functional T-cells, lower antibody response, and higher infection risk.
Name 3 key changes in the renal system with age.
Reduced GFR, nephron loss, increased renal artery resistance.
What causes presbyopia and presbyacusis?
Lens stiffening (presbyopia) and cochlear hair cell degeneration (presbyacusis).
What is geriatric medicine?
A subspecialty of internal medicine focusing on the complex health needs of older adults.
What challenges are common in geriatric medicine?
Polypharmacy, multiple comorbidities, cognitive impairment, nonspecific symptoms, social issues.
What is the Hayflick Limit?
Human cells divide ~40–60 times before senescence, due to telomere shortening.
What is the Disposable Soma theory?
Energy is prioritised for reproduction over somatic cell repair, leading to gradual ageing.
Define ageism.
Discrimination or stereotyping based on age, often toward older adults.
How does ageism affect healthcare for older patients?
Leads to delayed diagnoses, undertreatment, mental health decline, and poor communication.
What is the impact of hearing and visual loss in older adults?
Reduces communication effectiveness, increases risk of isolation and misunderstanding in care.
What are the communication challenges with dysphasia?
Difficulty expressing or understanding speech, especially after stroke or in dementia.
What are 4 core responsibilities of a carer?
Daily support, medication management, emotional support, advocacy in care decisions
Name three key agencies that support carers.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Social Prescribing services, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
What financial aids are available for older patients?
Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Blue Badge Scheme, Local Authority Support
What is the Disengagement Theory?
Older adults naturally withdraw from social roles.
Describe the Activity Theory of ageing.
Staying active and socially engaged promotes wellbeing in older adults.
What is Erikson’s final psychosocial stage?
Integrity vs Despair – reflecting on life with satisfaction or regret.
Name voluntary services supporting older independence.
Age UK, Marie Curie, Macmillan Nurses, Befriending Groups, Lunch Clubs, Social Prescribers.
Name 4 socio-economic factors that influence ageing.
Education, healthcare access, housing, employment status.
How does body composition change with age?
Increased central fat, decreased total body water, and sarcopenia due to hormonal and activity changes.
What causes osteoporosis in older adults?
Bone resorption > bone formation due to hormonal decline and reduced physical activity.
What immune changes make infections more dangerous in elderly patients?
Decreased T-cell response, lower antibody production, and poor vaccine response.
Why is fever a less reliable sign of infection in older people?
20–30% of elderly patients have a diminished febrile response due to immune decline.
What vascular changes occur with age?
Reduced elastin, increased collagen/calcium, leading to stiff vessels and hypertension.
How does the ageing heart affect diastolic function?
Impaired relaxation reduces ventricular filling and perfusion.
What structural heart changes increase arrhythmia risk in older adults?
Fibrosis and fatty deposits in the conduction system.
What happens to the baroreceptor response with age?
It declines, increasing the risk of postural hypotension.
What gait changes increase fall risk in older adults?
Reduced gait speed and stride length, increased postural sway, and slower reflexes.
What happens to GFR with age and why?
GFR decreases due to nephron loss, glomerulosclerosis, and reduced blood flow.
What structural renal changes are common in ageing?
Cortical mass loss, thickened basement membrane, arteriole sclerosis.
Why do older adults experience swallowing difficulties?
Reduced oesophageal motility and saliva production.
What condition increases gastric inflammation in the elderly?
Atrophic gastritis, often linked to H. pylori and prostaglandin decline.
What causes constipation in older adults?
Reduced colonic peristalsis and weakened connective tissue.
What lung function values decline with age?
FEV1 and vital capacity decrease; residual volume increases.
Why does respiratory efficiency decline in older adults?
Loss of elastic recoil, weaker muscles, increased chest wall compliance.
What causes presbyopia in older people?
Lens hardening and reduced flexibility, impairing close vision.
What causes age-related hearing loss (presbyacusis)?
Degeneration of cochlear hair cells and neurons, vascular changes, and noise damage
How does menopause affect the endocrine system?
Oestrogen declines, causing symptoms like hot flushes, insomnia, and weight gain.
What hormonal changes contribute to nocturia in the elderly?
Loss of nocturnal ADH secretion and RAAS alterations.
What metabolic condition becomes more common with age and why?
Insulin resistance increases due to adipose accumulation.
