Aging Flashcards

1
Q

What are ADL’s?

A

Activities of Daily Living

Bathing, Dressing, Feeding, Hygiene, Transferring, Toileting

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2
Q

What are iADL’s?

A

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

Housework, Medications, Money, Shopping, Telephone and Technology, Transportation

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3
Q

What are some body composition changes associated with aging?

A
Brittle Bones
Decreased lean muscle mass
Increased abdominal fat
Decreased subcutaneous fat
Decreased total body water
Decreased blood protein
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4
Q

What leads to frailty in older adults?

A

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

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5
Q

What is “normal” cognitive decline associated with aging?

A

Speed of Retrieval - Motor speed and response times decrease

“Naming” decreases with aging

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6
Q

What is Dementia?

A

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

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7
Q

What are the common causes of dementia?

A

Secondary to Alzheimer’s Disease –> Vascular Dementia –> Lewy Body Dementia**

Largest risk factor is aging**

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8
Q

What is Alzheimer’s Dementia?

A

Steady decline in cognition over several years with deficits in language, naming, and memory most prominent. Can have VH

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9
Q

What is Lewy Body Dementia?

A

VHs, change in level of consciousness, falls, Parkinsonism

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10
Q

What is Vascular Dementia?

A

Vascular risk factors or evidence of ischemic changes on imaging. Can be multi-infarct dementia or small vessel vascular dementia “Binswangers disease”

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11
Q

What are some treatments for dementia?

A

Proper support system for patient

AChE inhibitors

Working closely with family

Preventing delirium

Treat psychiatric symptoms

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12
Q

What are some causes of the increased rate of falls associated with aging?

A

Neurological Problems

Cardiovascular causes

Medical illness

Environmental factors

Medications

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13
Q

What are medications that can contribute to falls?

A

Sedating meds: (benzos, narcotics, barbiturates, anti convulsants

Anticholinergics: Diphenhydramine, antihistamines, urinary incontinence meds

Polypharmacy

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14
Q

How does sleep change with aging?

A

Nocturnal sleep time decreases, while nocturnal wake time increases

Deep sleep is reduced, decreased REM

Increased sleep latency and fragmentation

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15
Q

Describe urinary incontinence in aging

A

Can be age related, genitourinary tract abnormalities

Coexisting illness

Can lead to infection

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16
Q

What is polypharmacy?

A

Prescription of more meds than needed

Increased risk of sedation, cognitive changes, incontinence, falls

More sensitive to all these meds

17
Q

How can vertigo lead to inactivity?

A

Fear of falling prevents them from being active

18
Q

What is Syncope?

A

Sudden loss of consciousness

Most common causes are cardiac or neurologic

19
Q

Describe poverty in the elderly.

A

Associated with burden from physical and mental illness

This age group has the highest rate of poverty

20
Q

Describe spousal bereavement in the elderly.

A

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

21
Q

Describe mental illness in adults.

A

12% of older adults have mental illness

The most common disorders are anxiety disorders and cognitive impairment

22
Q

Describe depressive disorders in the elderly.

A

NOT A NORMAL PART OF AGING

Main risk factor is VASCULAR RISK FACTORS and certain neurologic diseases (stroke/Parkinsons/Dementia)

23
Q

What is the most common cause of confusion and psychosis in the elderly?

A

Delirium

Caused by medical illnesses, medication, substances

Anything can cause delirium

24
Q

What is dementia syndrome of depression?

A

Cognitive impairment caused by depression that can be confused with true dementia

Usually less language impairment

25
Q

What is the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in older adults?

A

Anxiety disorders

Onset occurs earlier

Most common is phobia

26
Q

Describe Alcohol and substance use in the elderly.

A

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

27
Q

What are some reproductive changes in aging?

A

Some decline of sexual interest

Most continue to maintain interest in sexual activity

Decreased physical functioning may limit the frequency of interaction

28
Q

What is Ageism?

A

Discrimination against older adults

Causes others to mistakenly accept changes in older adulst as natural

29
Q

What is elder abuse?

A

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