Aging Flashcards
What are ADL’s?
Activities of Daily Living
Bathing, Dressing, Feeding, Hygiene, Transferring, Toileting
What are iADL’s?
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living
Housework, Medications, Money, Shopping, Telephone and Technology, Transportation
What are some body composition changes associated with aging?
Brittle Bones Decreased lean muscle mass Increased abdominal fat Decreased subcutaneous fat Decreased total body water Decreased blood protein
What leads to frailty in older adults?
Impaired homeostatic mechanisms
Increased sympathetic nervous system tone –> Increased Cortisol –> impaired immune system
Decreased neuroendocrine function –> muscle and bone weakness
Brain is more sensitive to medications
What is “normal” cognitive decline associated with aging?
Speed of Retrieval - Motor speed and response times decrease
“Naming” decreases with aging
What is Dementia?
Significant deficits in two or more areas of cognition (memory, abstract thinking, judgment, language, visuospatial functioning)
Deficits have to be severe enough to effect normal day to day functioning
What are the common causes of dementia?
Secondary to Alzheimer’s Disease –> Vascular Dementia –> Lewy Body Dementia**
Largest risk factor is aging**
What is Alzheimer’s Dementia?
Steady decline in cognition over several years with deficits in language, naming, and memory most prominent. Can have VH
What is Lewy Body Dementia?
VHs, change in level of consciousness, falls, Parkinsonism
What is Vascular Dementia?
Vascular risk factors or evidence of ischemic changes on imaging. Can be multi-infarct dementia or small vessel vascular dementia “Binswangers disease”
What are some treatments for dementia?
Proper support system for patient
AChE inhibitors
Working closely with family
Preventing delirium
Treat psychiatric symptoms
What are some causes of the increased rate of falls associated with aging?
Neurological Problems
Cardiovascular causes
Medical illness
Environmental factors
Medications
What are medications that can contribute to falls?
Sedating meds: (benzos, narcotics, barbiturates, anti convulsants
Anticholinergics: Diphenhydramine, antihistamines, urinary incontinence meds
Polypharmacy
How does sleep change with aging?
Nocturnal sleep time decreases, while nocturnal wake time increases
Deep sleep is reduced, decreased REM
Increased sleep latency and fragmentation
Describe urinary incontinence in aging
Can be age related, genitourinary tract abnormalities
Coexisting illness
Can lead to infection
What is polypharmacy?
Prescription of more meds than needed
Increased risk of sedation, cognitive changes, incontinence, falls
More sensitive to all these meds
How can vertigo lead to inactivity?
Fear of falling prevents them from being active
What is Syncope?
Sudden loss of consciousness
Most common causes are cardiac or neurologic
Describe poverty in the elderly.
Associated with burden from physical and mental illness
This age group has the highest rate of poverty
Describe spousal bereavement in the elderly.
One of the most stressful life experiences
Depressive symptoms usually peak within a few months and decline within a year
If depressive symptoms continue 2-3 motnhs after the loss, may require treatment
Describe mental illness in adults.
12% of older adults have mental illness
The most common disorders are anxiety disorders and cognitive impairment
Describe depressive disorders in the elderly.
NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING
Main risk factor is VASCULAR RISK FACTORS and certain neurologic diseases (stroke/Parkinsons/Dementia)
What is the most common cause of confusion and psychosis in the elderly?
Delirium
Caused by medical illnesses, medication, substances
Anything can cause delirium
What is dementia syndrome of depression?
Cognitive impairment caused by depression that can be confused with true dementia
Usually less language impairment
What is the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in older adults?
Anxiety disorders
Onset occurs earlier
Most common is phobia
Describe Alcohol and substance use in the elderly.
Great majority started using substances earler in life
Due to decreased protein, total body water, the alcohol levels are increased for the same intake
WK syndrome
What are some reproductive changes in aging?
Some decline of sexual interest
Most continue to maintain interest in sexual activity
Decreased physical functioning may limit the frequency of interaction
What is Ageism?
Discrimination against older adults
Causes others to mistakenly accept changes in older adulst as natural
What is elder abuse?
Act or omission which results in harm or threatened harm to the health or welfare of and elderly person
Abusers usually live in the home with the person and may be family members
