Aging Adult Flashcards
Ageism
Form of prejudiced The older adult is seen as: Rigid Narrow minded Unable to learn Unreliable To old to enjoy sexual pleasures Childlike and dependent
Most older adults are :
Satisfied with life Enjoy retirement Live in homes or apartments Are close with their families Have good income
Physiological changes
All systems decline in functioning and become less effective
The older adult is more likely to develop complications and recover more slowly from illness or injury
Box 23-3
Common chronic
Hypertension arthritis heart disease cancer diabetes sinusitis
Cognitive development
Does not change significantly Learning continues throughout life Takes longer to respond and react Mild short term memory loss Long-term memory usually remains Dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression and delirium may occur
Psychological development
- Self-concept remains relatively stable
- older adults may continue former roles or substitute new roles for old
- May reach the self actualization stage of Maslow s Harkey of needs
Factors affecting psychological development
Pass ability to cope retirement/loss of income declining health loss of independence loss of driving privileges loneliness
Disengagement psychosocial development
An older adult may substitute activities but does not disengage from society
Eriksons theory of psychosocial development
Ego integrity versus despair and discuss
Life review
Moral and spiritual development
- many adults demonstrate constructive faith and trust in a greater power
- Self transcendence is Characteristic of later life
- gerotranscendence: Describes the transformation of a persons view of reality from a rational, social, individual focus, materialistic perspective to a more transcending vision
Kohlberg moral and spiritual development
Older adults have completed their moral development and most are at a conventional level
Causes of accidental injuries
- changes in vision and hearing
- loss of mass and strength of muscle
- slow reflexes and reaction time
- decreased sensory ability
- combined effects of chronic illness a medication
- Economic factors
Dementia
Chronic disease that developed gradually
Refers to various organic disorders that progressively affect cognitive function
- vascular dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- mixed dementia
Most common cause of cognitive impairment
Alzheimer’s disease:
- irreversible and progressive form of memory defect to turtle dependency
- First signs usually appear by mid 60s
Vascular dementia
Brain damage caused by multiple strokes.
Vascular dementia causes memory loss in older adults, particularly in those at higher risk of stroke due to obesity or diabetes
Lewy body dementia
associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.
Mixed dementia
changes representing more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously in the brain. In the most common form, the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer’s disease are present along with blood vessel changes associated with vascular dementia.
Dementia common problems
Sundowning syndrome Wandering Hallucination Delusions Paranoia
SPICES tool can be used to identify common problems
Nursing care for dementia
Support for patient and family
Be patient
reorient often
Slow pace of activity and waiting for responses
Delirium
Temporary state of confusion caused by an underlying issue
A person with dementia can develop delirium:
- you may notice worsening cognitive impairment
- Family or caregivers are a good resource for identifying change
Delirium risk factors
Cognitive impairment sleep deprivation Immobility visual/hearing impairment dehydration
Depression
- extreme prolonged sadness
Caused by:
Death of spouse or friends change and living environment retirement or decreased income loss of independence
Signs and symptoms of depression
Sleep disturbances weight loss or gain difficulty concentrating irritability crying Fatigue suicidal thoughts
Elder abuse nursing responsibility
Serve relationship between elder and caregiver( Voice tone, caring behaviors, touch)
Injuries may not match story of how injuries occurred
Attempt to speak with the older adult when caregiver is away
Document objectively using quotations from patient and caregiver
Report any abuse suspicions
Promoting health and an older adult
- promote balance diet:
Low fat, cholesterol, sugar and salt - encouraged daily exercise
- promote regular screening and immunizations
- ensure patient has on glasses and hearing aids if needed
- assess psychological needs (involve family)
- assist with hygiene needs
- assess swallowing, nutritional status, monitor weight
-assess sleep habits provide interventions to promote sleep - assess bathroom habits/ prevent constipation
