Attitudes Toward Aging Flashcards
T or F? Clinical depression occurs more frequently in older than younger people.
False: Depression does NOT occur more often in older adults than younger groups. However, it is the most frequent mental health problem of older adults. Depression may vary from feeling “blue” from grief over a loss to a diagnosis of clinical depression by the DSM IV criteria. Accurate diagnosis and treatment options are often hindered by the resistance to mental health intervention and situational depression in older adults as they react to isolation, role change, illness and medication effects.
T or F? Older adults have more trouble sleeping than younger adults do.
True: Older adults are more prone to sleep complaints: insomnia due to changing sleep patterns of frequent awakenings, earlier rising, emotional problems. The quality of sleep declines with age. It becomes particularly more difficult to stay asleep. Daily sedation, boredom, loneliness, illness, time changes, work schedules, physical changes and alcohol or medication may affect sleep patterns. Sleep behaviors common to older adults may include increased napping, periods of sleep apnea (stopped breathing), more frequent awakenings, lengthened onset of sleep, increased time in bed and increased total sleep time. Current research verifies that REM (sleep in which dreaming takes place) deep sleep, in older adults may be half what it is in younger persons.
T or F? Living below or near the poverty level is no longer a significant problem for most older Americans.
False: While the proportion of older people (65+) living below the poverty level has declined significantly since 1960 to about 10.5 percent, this index rather dramatically underestimates need. The poverty level is based on an estimate of the cost of items in the Department of Agriculture’s least costly nutritionally adequate food plan and multiplied by three (suggesting that food costs represent one third of a budget). This is probably not a fair representation of living costs in many areas of the country, particularly urban areas. Therefore, gerontologists and economists also look atthe proportion near poverty level (up to 150 percent of poverty level) and find that nearly one quarter of older adults fall below this line. These older people tend to be disproportionately women, unmarried (including widowed, African American or Hispanic, and living alone.
T or F? Older people tend to become more religious as they grow older.
False: Studies have found no increase in average religious interest, satisfaction or activities among older people as they age. The present generation of older persons (cohort) tends to be more religious than younger generations due to their upbringing, i.e., they have been more religious all their lives rather than becoming more religious as they aged. However, research has indicated that religion does seem to become more important with age and older adults do rely on their faith to cope with losses.
T or F? All women develop osteoporosis as they age.
False: There is a gradual loss of bony tissue, which causes brittle bones that fracture more easily in both men and women as they age. Osteoporosis develops more often in women when calcium is lost (following hormonal change after menopause) or insufficiently taken and absorbed. Deficiency in bone mineral density occurs in 50% of women over 50 years to 57% of women 70 years or older, but decreases to 45% for those over 80 years. Women rarely develop osteoporosis until age 70 years. A test of bone density (absorptiometry) can measure bone mass by x-ray or computer analyzed e-ray. Prevention of osteoporosis begins with adequate Calcium intake in one’s teens and thereafter with increased attention after menopause. Weight bearing exercise, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), decreased alcohol, protein, salt and caffeine consumption, smoking cessation and adequate Vitamin D intake may minimize bone loss. HRT may offer some protection against heart disease, cognitive impairment and bone loss, but also may present risks for cervical cancer. Risk factors of osteoporosis include excess alcohol, little physical activity, deficient calcium intake, no pregnancies, no breast feeding, fair complexion, blond or red hair and of European nationality.
T or F? Most old people lose interest in and capacity for sexual relations.
False: Recent studies validate that more than 70% of men and women continue sexual activity after 65 years. Men and women over 70 are still considered potentially “sexy,” Reasons for limited sexual activity include loss of partners, illness and medications. Most older adults consider intimacy crucial to relationships and emotional well being. Intimacy may be satisfied by other means than sexual relations, such as touch, hugging and holding.
T or F? Personality changes with age.
False: Personality remains consistent in men and women throughout life. Personality impacts roles and life satisfaction. Particular traits in youth and middle age will not only persist but may be more pronounced in later life.
T or F? Memory loss is a normal part of aging.
True: As one ages there is modest memory loss, primarily short-term memory (recent events). Older adults are more likely to retain past or new information that is based on knowledge acquired or builds upon their life course or events. Retrieval of information may slow with age. The causes of these changes are unknown, but may include stress, loss, physical disease, medication effects and depression. Lack of attention, fatigue, hearing loss, misunderstanding are among factors impacting memory loss in persons of all ages. Strategies such as activity and exercise, association, visualization, environmental cueing, organization by category and connection to a place may help to prompt memory. New research has revealed that 40% of persons diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (beyond what is expected for a person of that age and education) are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease within 3 years.
T or F? Constipation increases in more people as they get older.
False: Cultural notions about “daily regularity” held by the current cohort of older adults makes the myths of constipation and the elderly seem more important and credible. However, age related changes in the gastrointestinal system are less responsible for constipation in older adults than factors such as activity, diet, and medication. Decreased intake and absorption of vitamins, proteins and other important nutrients and dental issues present greater health threats to older adults. Despite a decrease in gastrointestinal muscle strength and motility, lax sphincters, lowered digestive juices, the gastrointestinal system is better able to compensate for the harmful effects of these changes.
T or F? People 65 years of age and older make up about 20 percent of the U.S. population.
False: People over age 65 currently make up about 13 percent of the population. However, as the “baby boom” generation begins to turn 65 in 2011 the proportion of older adults will grow dramatically. It is estimated that by 2030 adults over 65 will compose 20 percent of the population
T or F? All medical schools now require students to take courses in geriatrics and gerontology.
False: Although a number of medical schools require course work in geriatrics/ gerontology, many still have only elective courses or no courses at all. Incentives in the form of materials support and grants have come to some medical schools to develop and institutionalize formal curricula from such organizations as the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Geriatrics Society, and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, as well as foundations such as the John Hartford Foundation. Top- ranked medical schools for geriatrics training include Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Mount Sinai (NY, UCLA, University of Washington, Michigan, Wake Forest, Pennsylvania, and Yale.
T or F? Research has shown that old age truly begins at 65.
False: Old age is a social construct. Meanings, definitions, and experiences of aging vary across cultures and throughout history. What people consider to be “old” has changed significantly just within the past 100 years in the U.S. as people live longer and healthier. Being identified as “old” is related not only to chronological age, but also health, functional ability, social roles, and self perception. Age 65 is an arbitrary marker that has been associated with eligibility for governmental programs such as Social Security and Medicare (although the age of eligibility for Social Security is gradually being raised to 67 by 2027)
T or F? Older adults have the highest suicide rate of any age group.
True: The national suicide rate is about 12 per 100,000 population, while it is 1.3 for those aged 65 to 74 and 23 per 100,000 for those over age 85. It has been estimated that 17 to 25 percent of all reported suicides occur in persons aged 65 and older. (Hooyman, 178). However, older white males largely account for this high rate. For white women and for men and women of all other races, the suicide rate peaks earlier in the life span. Older adults also have a higher ratio of completed to attempted suicides than younger groups. The higher suicide rates might be explained by a variety of factors, including the loss of roles and status, chronic illnesses that diminish one’s sense of control, and social isolation.
T or F? Older adults (65+) are more fearful of crime than are persons under 65.
False: Although several surveys show that fear of crime exists among some older adults, there is no substantial evidence that older people are more likely to be afraid of crime that younger people are. One survey examined different types of victimization and found no increase in fear among older adults in any of the types. Studies that have shown an increase in fear of crime in later life possibly have used measures of questionable validity.
T or F? Older workers cannot work as effectively as younger workers.
False: Negative perceptions of older workers persist because of health issues, diminished energy, discomfort with technology, closeness to retirement, and reaction to change in the work place – all associated with older adults. To the contrary, research identified characteristics of low turnover, less voluntary absenteeism and fewer injuries in older workers. Recent high ratings of older workers from employers cite loyalty, dependability, emotional stability, congeniality with co-workers, and consistent and accurate work outcomes. While more are retiring earlier and spending fewer years working, older workers will be in greater demand with dwindling entrants into the work force.
T or F? Physical strength declines in old age.
True: Muscle mass declines, cartilage erodes, membranes fibrose (harden), and fluid thickens. These contribute to stiffness, gait problems, lessened mobility, and limited range of motion. From age 30 years, muscle mass declines to almost 50% in old age. Research shows that weight bearing exercise, aerobics and weight resistance can restore muscle strength, increase stamina, stabilize balance and minimize falls.
T or F? Older adults are at risk for HIV/AIDS.
True: Blood transfusions and unprotected sex put older adults at risk for HIV/AIDS as in other populations. It is estimated that as many as 10 percent of all persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are over 50 years of age.
T or F? Geriatrics is a specialty in American medicine.
True: Geriatrics refers to the clinical aspects of aging and the comprehensive health care of older persons. Study of geriatrics actually began in the early 1900s, although formal training in geriatrics is relatively new. A Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Geriatric Medicine or Geriatric Psychiatry is offered through the certifying boards in family practice, internal medicine, osteopathic medicine, and psychiatry for physicians who have completed a fellowship program in geriatrics.
T or F? Kidney function is not affected by age.
False: The amount of blood flow through the kidney and ability of the kidney to filter blood is about half that of younger ages. This is caused by the age related structural and anatomic changes within the kidney. Some studies show that as much as one third of older adults have no change in their urine creatinine (creatinine clearance is a measure of how well the kidney is able to filter the blood, the glomeruler filtration rate or GFR). However other studies show decline that begins at 40 years. Age related kidney changes create more risks for fluid and electrolyte imbalance and renal damage from medications or diagnostic contrast materials. Disease, surgery or fever may stress and interfere with the kidney’s ability to regulate and excrete fluids and electrolytes particularly in older adults.
T or F? Older persons take longer to recover from physical and psychological stress
True: Older adults do experience multiple losses of loved ones and friends, illness, relocation, retirement, income, change and decline in abilities. It may take an older adult longer to adjust to a major change or recover from prolonged and intense physical and emotional stress. The recovery of an older body from a traumatic event may be delayed due to age related decreases in cardiac output and heart rate ad more vulnerability to disease with a less effective immune system. However, the many older adults who have developed active and healthy lifestyles may be able to resist/mitigate some of the negative effects of stress or illness due to their physiological fitness. Likewise, coping skills that have been honed during a lifetime may lessen the damage of psychological stresses and ease adjustments to loss and change.
