Aging and Age-Related Disorders Flashcards
The average life expectancy in Canada CURRENTLY?
82 years
The average life expectancy in 2000?
77 years
The average life expectancy in 1980?
74 years
What is hearing loss?
- Changes damage to inner ear structure
- Changes in the middle ear and nerve pathways from the ear to the brain
- Long-term exposure to noise
What is Muscular Degeneration?
Central portion of you retina (macula) becomes worn
What are Cataracts?
Clouding of lens in the eye
What issues might these cause? ( Hearing loss) and solutions
Can’t here the questions your asking
- Write it down for them
-Always speak normally until you know there is hearing loss ( lower tones are easier to here, males usually)
What issues might these cause? ( Vision loss) and solutions
Don’t know where they are
- Just communicate with them and tell them what’s happening (ex. little bump here)
- Especially cause they are going backwards in an ambulance essentially
Most people know the way around their own home
- Tell them where you put your bags
- Don’t place the bags right at their feet
What is Osteoporosis?
-Bone disease
- Decreased mineral density (Calcium)
- Changes to bone structure and strength
- Oestrogen- bone protective
Who is Osteoporosis more common in and why?
More in women because menopause increases osteoporosis risk/progression
What is Hyperkyphosis?
- ‘Dowager’s Hump’ (hunch back)
- Can be caused by prolonged ‘forward leaning’ posture
- using a cane, walker etc - Can be a sign of advanced osteoporosis
- vertebral collapse (disc shaped)
Who is Hyperkyphosis more common in?
Women
Very rare in Men
Issues THEY will have with Hyperkyphosis?
Back pain
Neck pain
Issues PARAMEDICS will have with pt. with Hyperkyphosis?
Extra pt. issues
Struggle with supine position
C-collar, puts them in even more pain (BLS says anyone over age of 65 who fell from standing must have C-collar) document how you physically could not with this pt.
Techniques to use with people who have Hyperkyphosis
Using pillows
Spine (find alternative way to keep them comfortable) MUST DOCUMENT
What is Osteoarthritis?
Degenerative breakdown of joints
“Overuse injury”
Common in knees, hips, spine and hands
Pt. will become soft, stiff and lose mobility
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Not as common
Autoimmune, inflammatory disease (body destroys it’s own tissues)
Common in hands, wrist, knees, fingers and toes
Pt. will be very swollen, and disease site will be distorted
What issues might Rheumatoid Arthritis cause?
Stroke assessment
- signs/symptoms are often in line with a stroke
Changes to Body Tissues- SKIN
Skin becomes thin and translucent
Less elasticity
More fragile (bruises VERY easily)
Loss of subcutaneous tissues (no padding, no anchoring for veins)
Longer wound healing (stops regenerating, end of life)
BIG DARK BRUISES
TENTING
Hard to tell if it was Accidental vs. Non- accidental
Issues PARAMEDICS will have with skin changes?
No anchoring for veins
adapt IV techniques (third term)
Techniques to use with people who have skin changes?
Careful moving them
ECG stickers (gently) remove as soon as possible for them
Seatbelts
BP cuff can bruise easily
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Non- insulin dependent
Aging with obesity can lead to insulin resistance
Aging in the absence of obesity can lead to impaired B-cell function
High blood glucose- 10,12,15
Normal- 4-8
Issues with Type 2 Diabetes?
May be undiagnosed (insidious onset)
High BGL irritates lining of blood vessels
Damages peripheral nerves (neuropathies)
Coronary artery disease
Can’t feel if they hurt themselves
- CSM
- Black toes
- Can’t feel anything
What is Atherosclerosis?
Irritation/damage to vessel walls
Fatty deposits inside vessels
Calcification (hardening) of vessels
Narrowing of vessels
Risks associated with Atherosclerosis?
Type 2 Diabetes
Heart Attacks
Strokes
Clots
Ruptures forming
Changes to Body Tissues- BRAIN SHRINKING
Shrinks in size
- 5% per decade after age of 40
-Frontal lobe particularly
- Loss of cells (gray matter)
- Demyelination (happens to a degree)
- Loss of cell volume (alcohol use)
Note:
- Myelin sheets–> around neuron lose myelin( jumps and has to travel)
Changes to Body Tissues- BRAIN DECLINE
Cognitive decline and diminished brain function
- memory issue
- struggle to learn new things
retaining info
takes roughly 3-4 times to explain and get through to them to understand
Note:
- Old–> ventricles are huge and more susceptible to brain bleeds
- small brain in a bigger
What issues might these cause ( BRAIN)
Shrinkage
-Keep repeating things to make sure clear in mind
- Trouble explaining (old age memory loss)
2 Types ofBrain Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Blood vessels get weaker
WHY?
Moves a little, blood vessels rupture
