C - Effects of Ageing Flashcards
Identify some of the bodily functions that start to decline when you reach older adulthood (65+)
hearing loss far-sighted impaired vision joints become stiffer bones become more brittle
Identify some serious problems some people develop that are associated with ageing
cardiovascular disease degeneration of nervous tissue osteoarthritis degeneration of sense organs reduced absorption of nutrients dementia
What is cardiovascular disease?
a term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels
What causes cardiovascular diseases?
a build up of fatty deposits inside of the arteries that can increase the risk of blood clots
Name 3 different types of cardiovascular disease
coronary heart disease
stroke
peripheral arterial disease
aortic disease
Identify 5 risk factors for cardiovascular disease
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
How can you prevent cardiovascular disease?
stop smoking have a healthy, balanced diet exercise regularly keep a healthy wieight (BMI below 25) don't drink too much alcohol
What is Osteoarthritis?
a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff, because the cartilage at the ends of bones gets rougher and thinner
Identify some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis
pain tenderness stiffness in joints loss of flexibility bone spurs
Identify the risk factors for Osteoarthritis
joint injury rheumatoid arthritis age family history obesity
How can you prevent Osteoarthritis?
do weight bearing exercise such as swimming
maintain a good posture
lose weight if you are overweight or obese
How do your sense organs degenerate as you get older?
your balance becomes impaired
your eyes become weak and find it hard to focu
your ability to taste and smell may diminish
Why do older people find it harder to absorb nutrients?
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
What foods do older people need to make sure they have enough of in their diet?
protein
vitamins and minerals (vitamin C and D, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium)
water
What is dementia?
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.
Identify 2 types of dementia
Vascular dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
What causes vascular dementia?
oxygen supply to the brain is reduced because of narrowing or blockage of blood vessels, so some brain cells become damaged or die
What causes alzheimer’s?
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
How can ageing positively affect confidence and self-esteem?
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
How can ageing negatively affect confidence and self-esteem?
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.
How can role changes positively affect you as you age?
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)
How can role changes negatively affect you as you age?
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
How can loss of a partner in old age affect you?
- 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
How can loss of friends in old age affect you?
- 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
