Aging-Fisher

Question 1

What is primary aging?

Answer 1

this is the normal aging process that is universal to all humans
“healthy aging”

Question 2

What is secondary aging?

Answer 2

this is aging associated with disease, disuse, or abuse

Question 3

What is tertiary aging?

Answer 3

these are the rapid losses that occur right before death

Question 4

Explain why late life are the psychological golden years (even if not physical golden years).

Answer 4

Get more:
More confidence
More empathy and generosity
Improved reliability and organizational skills
Improved problem solving
Improved emotion regulation
Less anxiety and negative affect 
More contentment

Question 5

What is the relationship b/w intellectual functioning & aging?

Answer 5

World knowledge (vocab etc) improve steadily into one's 70s. 
Processing capacity activities of intellect, however, steadily decline after your 20s.

Question 6

T/F Advertisers increase the amount of emotional ads when they are focused on an older demographic.

Answer 6

True

Question 7

T/F As we age…emotional consequences and allocation of resources become increasingly intertwined

Answer 7

True.

**this appears to be critical for healthy aging.

Question 8

How do older adults (healthy ones) compensate for decreased resources (as in less physical energy)?

Answer 8

they are more selective with the way they spend their resources–allocate them well, emotionally.

Question 9

What is the significance of older adults having a positivity bias?

Answer 9

they have greater contentment
calm
more pleasure & less conflict in relationships

Question 10

According to a National health survey…which age group reports the most psychological distress? Which age group reports the least?

Answer 10

Most psychological distress: 45-64 year olds

Least psychological distress: >65 yo

Question 11

What do older couples show in their marriages that younger couples do not?

Answer 11

Less potential for conflict
Better negotiation skills
More potential for pleasure in several areas
Equivalent levels of mental and physical health
Fewer gender differences in sources of pleasure
More positive emotions
More empathic listening
More patience and flexibility

Question 12

What is the downside to a positivity bias?

Answer 12

older adults may focus more on the potential benefits of health care & financial decision making rather than the downsides.
need to look at potential risks with these things.

Question 13

What are some of the most important concerns of older adults?

Answer 13

health & well being of loved ones
staying independent
avoiding living in a nursing home
financial concerns
high QOL
Spirituality
Social Support
Emotionally Meaningful Activity

Question 14

Explain the concept of compression of morbidity.

Answer 14

we want longer life expectancy, but with high QOL, not debilitating chronic illnesses.
**we want to delay the onset of disability. Making the duration b/w onset of disability & death shorter.

Question 15

Man has fatal first heart attack at age 50. What is his morbidity & mortality?

Answer 15

Early Mortality

Short Morbidity

Question 16

Spry 95-year old woman dying asymptomatically in her sleep. What is her morbidity & mortality?

Answer 16

Late Mortality.
Short Morbidity.
**Ideal!

Question 17

T/F Regular running accelerates the aging process, due to joint injuries.

Answer 17

False!! It slows the effects of aging.

Elderly runners have fewer disabilities, longer life span, half as likely to die an early death.

Question 18

What are some extraindividual factors that impact an older adult’s health trajectory?

Answer 18

medical care
therapy & meds
external supports
social environment

Question 19

What are some intraindividual factors that impact an older adult’s health trajectory?

Answer 19

lifestyle & behavior changes-changes to alter disease
psychological coping-spirituality, positive affect
activity accomodations-choosing experiences that are gratifying

Question 20

What is the greatest predictor of depression in older adults?

Answer 20

functional impairment

**why lifestyle changes to alter disease course is so important!!

Question 21

What role does the physician play in promoting QOL?

Answer 21

listen, rather than assume
respect choice & autonomy-don’t assume inability to consent
involve only family to help w/ consent
become informed about community resources
promote behavioral health
communicate with other providers
release medical information when appropriate

Question 22

What are some causes of excess disability in early phase dementia?

Answer 22

**self-stigmatization
metamemory-hypervigilant in monitoring performance
social interaction becomes anxiety-provoking
social withdrawal & isolation
depression
**stigmatization by others
corrective feedback during conversation
assuming that all mistakes are due to dementia

Question 23

Describe some causes of excess disability in middle & late phase dementia.

Answer 23

the environment becomes increasingly confusing-sensory impairments & difficulty understanding time
emergence of behavioral disturbances: aggression, disruptive vocalizations, wandering, paranoia

Question 24

What are some treatment options for the cognitive symptoms of patients with dementia?

Answer 24

5 drugs approved that slow process, don’t stop it.

they do have some side effects including: nausea, headache, dizziness

Question 25

T/F There is an over-reliance on restraint use to “treat” the behavioral symptoms of dementia.

Answer 25

True.

Question 26

Is it a good idea to use antipsychotics to treat dementia patients? Why or why not?

Answer 26

No. It is associated with earlier mortality.
Also associated with 
Sedation
Increased cognitive impairment
Incontinence
Increased risk for falls
Delirium
Extrapyramidal symptoms

Question 27

What are some treatment strategies that are healthy for patients with dementia?

Answer 27

Promoting quality of life
Promoting adaptive behavior
Maintenance of skills for as long as possible
Prevention of institutionalization
Prevention of excess disability
Prevention, not elimination of behavioral disturbances

Question 28

What is elder abuse?

Answer 28

Elder abuse is the infliction of  
-Pain   
-Injury or 
-Mental anguish on an older person
Deprivation of 
-Food 
-Shelter
-Clothing or services necessary to maintain physical or mental health

Question 29

Is elder abuse always willful?

Answer 29

sometimes caregivers don’t realize that they are doing it-sometimes neglect.

Question 30

What are the categories of elder abuse? Which is not considered a crime?

Answer 30

Physical Abuse
Psychological Abuse
Neglect of basic needs
Self- Neglect-not a crime. 
Exploitation
Isolation

Question 31

What are signs of abuse in an elderly person?

Answer 31

Inadequately explained bruises, cuts or injuries
Dehydration or malnutrition
Overly medicated or extremely sedated
Unusual confinement (Closed off in a room, tied to furniture)
Lack of cleanliness, grooming
Fear of speaking for oneself in the presences of the family or caretaker; anxious to please
Anxiety, confusion, withdrawal, depression
Shame, fear, embarrassment
Sudden change in financial activity

Question 32

Where do most cases of elder abuse happen?

Answer 32

95% occur in the home

Question 33

What % of nursing homes are cited for elder abuse annually?

Answer 33

30%!

Question 34

What percentage of older adults are at risk for elder abuse?

Answer 34

1/4

Question 35

What is the most common form of elder abuse?

Answer 35

neglect (60% of the time)

then physical abuse & financial exploitation are the most common

Question 36

At what age is an older adult under the guidelines of mandatory reporter for abuse?

Answer 36

60 yo or older–physician sees signs of abuse must report.

Question 37

Who are mandated reporters?

Answer 37

Physicians 		
Dentists  
Optometrists 
Podiatric Physicians
Medical Examiners
Government employees 
Professional or Practical RNs
Social Workers 
Home Health Employees
Law Enforcement officers
Physician’s assistants 
Psychiatrists/Psychologists 
Marriage and Family Therapists 
Ambulances drivers 
EMTs 
Any other person providing medical services (licensed or certified ) 
Employees of hospitals or Care facilities 
Financial Institutions

Question 38

IF you are not certain that elder abuse is going on, should you still report this to the EPS?

Answer 38

Yes. Also, they do not disclose who reported it.