C - Effects of Ageing

Question 1

Identify some of the bodily functions that start to decline when you reach older adulthood (65+)

Answer 1

hearing loss
far-sighted
impaired vision
joints become stiffer
bones become more brittle

Question 2

Identify some serious problems some people develop that are associated with ageing

Answer 2

cardiovascular disease
degeneration of nervous tissue
osteoarthritis
degeneration of sense organs
reduced absorption of nutrients
dementia

Question 3

What is cardiovascular disease?

Answer 3

a term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels

Question 4

What causes cardiovascular diseases?

Answer 4

a build up of fatty deposits inside of the arteries that can increase the risk of blood clots

Question 5

Name 3 different types of cardiovascular disease

Answer 5

coronary heart disease
stroke
peripheral arterial disease
aortic disease

Question 6

Identify 5 risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Answer 6

high blood pressure
smoking
high cholesterol
diabetes
inactivity
being overweight/obese
family history of CVD
ethnic backgroun
over 50
men
poor diet
drink a lot of alcohol

Question 7

How can you prevent cardiovascular disease?

Answer 7

stop smoking
have a healthy, balanced diet
exercise regularly
keep a healthy wieight (BMI below 25)
don't drink too much alcohol

Question 8

What is Osteoarthritis?

Answer 8

a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff, because the cartilage at the ends of bones gets rougher and thinner

Question 9

Identify some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Answer 9

pain
tenderness
stiffness in joints
loss of flexibility
bone spurs

Question 10

Identify the risk factors for Osteoarthritis

Answer 10

joint injury
rheumatoid arthritis
age
family history
obesity

Question 11

How can you prevent Osteoarthritis?

Answer 11

do weight bearing exercise such as swimming
maintain a good posture
lose weight if you are overweight or obese

Question 12

How do your sense organs degenerate as you get older?

Answer 12

your balance becomes impaired
your eyes become weak and find it hard to focu
your ability to taste and smell may diminish

Question 13

Why do older people find it harder to absorb nutrients?

Answer 13

they don’t need as much energy, so don’t eat as much food, therefore don’t get as many nutrients in their diet
the absorption of food from the small intestines becomes less efficient, so they may become malnourished even if they eat the same diet

Question 14

What foods do older people need to make sure they have enough of in their diet?

Answer 14

protein
vitamins and minerals (vitamin C and D, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium)
water

Question 15

What is dementia?

Answer 15

a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and activities, finding problems with understanding what is happening around them, communicating, reasoning, finding their way and remembering recent events.

Question 16

Identify 2 types of dementia

Answer 16

Vascular dementia

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 17

What causes vascular dementia?

Answer 17

oxygen supply to the brain is reduced because of narrowing or blockage of blood vessels, so some brain cells become damaged or die

Question 18

What causes alzheimer’s?

Answer 18

an abnormal protein surrounds brain cells and damages their internal structure, so the chemical connections between brain cells are lost and cells begin to die

Question 19

How can ageing positively affect confidence and self-esteem?

Answer 19

Confidence and self-esteem may increase as you get older as you feel more settled and have achieved many life goals – job, house, family, enjoying retirement

Question 20

How can ageing negatively affect confidence and self-esteem?

Answer 20

confidence may decrease as the physical effects of ageing make daily tasks difficult or impossible, they can feel marginalised by society, they may feel less worthy as the don’t have a job anymore, so may lose purpose. They may struggle for money if they only have a state pension.

Question 21

How can role changes positively affect you as you age?

Answer 21

Retirement provides opportunity for more contact with children / grandchildren
Retirement provides opportunity to participate in / take up new hobbies
You have more time to go on holidays (if they can afford it)

Question 22

How can role changes negatively affect you as you age?

Answer 22

Many may become isolated as they can’t get out as much

Some may find it difficult to adjust to the idea that their children are taking over the ‘head of the family’ role

Question 23

How can loss of a partner in old age affect you?

Answer 23

• Death of a partner can result in a change of status (widower) which can lead to anxiety and depression
• It can make them feel less safe an secure
• A loss of intimacy can cause deep pain and despair
• Change of self-concept – as you’ve seen yourself as a couple for so long
• Lower self-image or self-esteem and feelings of loneliness

Question 24

How can loss of friends in old age affect you?

Answer 24

• Can cause grief and stress as lose their social support
• feel lonely / isolated
• It can bring about feelings of their own mortality which can lead to depression

Question 25

How can increased leisure time in old age positively affect you?

Answer 25

• Retirement = more free time for hobbies, leisure, holidays, seeing family, take up new hobbies e.g. gardening, learn new skills – go on courses e.g. painting

Question 26

How can increased leisure time in old age negatively affect you?

Answer 26

retirement usually means less money, loss of social networks through work, loss of purpose in life

Question 27

How can finances in old age positively affect you?

Answer 27

Some people have their own property, have paid off their mortgage and have good pensions to live comfortably

Question 28

How can finances in old age negatively affect you?

Answer 28

Some people rent properties still, and may only get a state pension that doesn’t cover all their bills, especially rising costs of heating and electricity if you are at home more – which could lead to stress

Question 29

Outline the activity theory of ageing

Answer 29

thie activity theory suggests that oler people adjust to the ageing process, they satisfy their needs by taking on new roles, learn new skills and when they remain physically and socially active, they remain satisfied with life and are less liekly to become ill.

Question 30

Outline the Social Disengagement Theory of ageing

Answer 30

The social disengagement theory proposes that older people naturally withdraw from society as they get older because they have restricted opportunities to interact with others (no job, ill health, loss of friends/family, don’t drive), so they become increasingly less concerned with others and what they think of them, disengaging with society

Question 31

What is primary health care?

Answer 31

day to day health care that’s available in every lcal area and people cna go to themselves for health advice or treatment

Question 32

give examples of primary health care

Answer 32

GP
chemist
dentists
opticians
community nurses, midwives and health visitors

Question 33

what is secondary health care?

Answer 33

specialist health care services that you may be referred to from your GP

Question 34

Give examples of secondary health care services

Answer 34

cardiologist
urologist
dermatologist
pyschiatrist
physiotherapist
respiratory therapist
speech therapist

Question 35

What is social care?

Answer 35

services that help support people in need of practical and/or personal care due to disabiltiy or illness.

Question 36

give examples of social care

Answer 36

carer
support worker to help around the home
meals on wheels
community equipment
personal alarms
sheltered housing / care homes

Question 37

give examples of community equipment that can help enable people to stay in their own home and keep their independence

Answer 37

walking frames
kettle tippers
beds
hoists
ramps
stairlifts
handrails
walking aids / wheelchairs

Question 38

Identify differnet financial support you can access in old age

Answer 38

pension
housing benefit
council tax reduction
free NHS prescriptions
free eye tests
concessionary travel fares
winter fuel payments
cold weather payments
free TV licences
discounts for activities e.g. leisure centres, museums