Aging Flashcards
What is Gerontology?
The study of the social, cultural, psychological, cognitive, and biological aspects of aging.
Gerontology encompasses various disciplines and aims to understand the aging process and its effects.
Define Ageism.
The stereotyping and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age.
Ageism can affect the quality of life and opportunities for older adults.
What are some effects of retirement on older adults?
Retirement can lead to:
* Loss of identity
* Sense of freedom and adventure
* Need to find new identity and purpose.
Many older adults choose to continue working for a sense of purpose or income.
What can lead to social isolation in older adults?
Loss of daily interaction with coworkers and the death of family members and friends.
Social support is crucial for health and quality of life.
What modifications may be needed in the living environment of older adults?
Modifications may include:
* Grab bars
* Elevated toilet seats
* Good lighting
* Minimization of clutter
* Removal of rugs.
These changes promote safety and independence.
What types of community resources can assist older adults?
Examples include:
* Adult day centers
* Home health agencies
* Community-based residential facilities (CBRFs)
* Residential care apartment complexes (RCACs)
* Nursing homes.
Local aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) facilitate referrals based on specific needs.
What are expected findings in the cardiovascular system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Thickening of blood vessel walls
* Narrowing and loss of elasticity of vessels
* Decreased cardiac output.
New hypertension and orthostatic hypotension are unexpected findings.
What critical conditions require immediate notification in the cardiovascular assessment?
Conditions include:
* Chest pain
* Symptomatic hypotension or hypertension
* New onset or changes in oxygenation.
These conditions can indicate serious health issues.
What are expected findings in the respiratory system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased cough reflex
* Increased chest wall rigidity
* Decreased lung compliance.
* Decreased alveoli.
New hemoptysis or labored breathing are unexpected findings.
What critical conditions require immediate notification in the respiratory assessment?
Conditions include:
* Hemoptysis
* Decreased oxygen saturation levels not responding to treatments
* Labored breathing.
These conditions can indicate respiratory failure.
What are expected findings in the musculoskeletal system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Loss of muscle mass and strength
* Joint changes (degeneration)
* Loss of bone density.
New falls or changes in strength or mobility are unexpected findings.
What critical conditions require immediate notification in the musculoskeletal assessment?
Conditions include:
* Sudden onset of unilateral weakness
* Facial drooping
* Slurred speech
* Falls with suspected injury.
These signs may indicate a stroke or severe injury.
What are expected findings in the genitourinary system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased renal perfusion
* Decreased bladder capacity
* Prostate enlargement in males.
New difficulties with urination are unexpected findings.
What critical conditions require immediate notification in the genitourinary assessment?
Conditions include:
* Urine output less than 30 mL/hr.
This may indicate acute kidney injury or severe dehydration.
What are expected findings in the gastrointestinal system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased salivary and gastric secretions
* Decreased gut motility
* Constipation.
New black stool or blood in stool are unexpected findings.
What critical conditions in the gastrointestinal assessment require immediate notification?
Conditions include:
* Absent bowel sounds
* Rigid, distended abdomen.
These conditions may indicate bowel obstruction or perforation.
What are expected findings in the integumentary system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased elasticity of skin
* Thinning, greying hair
* Changes in pigmentation.
New suspicious moles or lesions are unexpected findings.
What are expected findings in the endocrine system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Altered hormone production
* Decreased thyroid function
* Changes in sleep patterns.
Critical conditions include symptomatic blood glucose levels.
What critical conditions in the endocrine assessment require immediate notification?
Conditions include:
* Symptomatic blood glucose less than 50 or greater than 400.
These levels can indicate severe hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
What are expected findings in the immune system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased core temperature elevation
* Decreased T-cell function.
Signs of infection may be less pronounced in older adults.
What critical conditions in the immune system require immediate notification?
Conditions include:
* Suspected or actual infection with signs indicating possible sepsis.
Monitoring vital signs is crucial for early detection.
What are expected findings in the reproductive system of older adults?
Expected findings include:
* Decreased estrogen levels in females
* Erectile dysfunction in males.
These changes are part of the normal aging process.
