Ageism Flashcards
What are stereotypes about old people?
more stereotypes than any other group
older people see themselves more positively than their peers
may impact on treatment recommendations
What is projected age profile?
by 2051 those aged 85+ will make up largest population, followed by 40-44 year olds
What is maximuym lifespan?
120 y
What is percentage of centenarians?
.02% population
What is peak average lifespan expected to be?
85 - due to biological changes
What is senesence
Degenerative phase of ageing process that causes individual to be more vulnerable to disease and mortality as years go by
What are cellular theories of senescence?
Processes that take place within and between cells and lead to breakdown of cells, tissues and organs. Caused by wear and tear, and genetic errors [all people have cells with genetic errors; older people have greater number of cells with errors, and greater number of cells in with multiple errors]
What are programming theories of senescence?
Hayflick limit - humans cells in laboratory replicate only to a certain point- about 50 times. At this point genetic material runs out.
Death is programmed into complex organisms.
Anything less than ideal environmental conditions may shorten lifespan; nothing will extend it.
What is primary ageing of physical functioning?
universal changes that everyone experiences
What is secondary ageing of physical functioning?
effects of illness and disease
What happens to physical functioning in older age?
motor, sensory and intellectual slowing
primary ageing of CNS and PNS - can improve with training
skin, bone and muscle changes
cardiovascular, respiratory and sensory changes
What improves health behaviours in late adulthood?
sleeping 7-8 hours/night eating breakfast no snacks controlling weight exercise limit alcohol nonsmoker for life
What are risk factors for cardiovascular disease?
family history smoking, diet, lack of exercise personality type stress gender - men 3x more likely to experience cardiovascular event before 60; women display symptoms ten years later
What is hypertension?
HBP - >140/90
deterioration of arterial walls
risks of heart attack, kidney damage, stroke
What are risk factors for hypertension?
gender [higher in men < women; women more likely to be fatal] obesity genetics poor diet stress personality characteristics
What are risk factors for cancer?
SES, genetics, gender, lifestyle, diet [low SES - lung, stomach; high SES - breast, colon]
life events, stress, personality, social support, isolation
What is most common mental health issue for older adults?
depression
may be mistaken for normal ageing
may mimic dementia
has multiplicative affect [old age stigma + mental health]
What are associates of depression?
chronic health issues, functional impairment, social deprivation, medication
What happens in brain with ageing?
neuronal loss and growth - neural shrinkage more common than loss of neurons
density of synapses increases with age and with brain stimulating activity
Plasticity allows brain to take on new neural connections [axon sprouting; dendrite branching]
What are acute brain syndromes?
caused by metabolic issues - eg diabetes, liver failure - may be reversible; fluctuating periods of lucidity
What are chronic brain syndromes?
irreversible changes in brain - eg multiinfarct dementia; alzheimer’s disease