Care for the older Adult/Hygiene Flashcards
Variability among older adults
-Physiological, cognitive,
and psychosocial health
-Wide range of functional
ability
-Functionality
-Chronic conditions add to
the complexity of
assessment and care
-Do not assume that all
older adults have signs,
symptoms, or behaviors
representing disease
-Identify an older adult’s
strengths and abilities
Myths and stereotypes about older adults
older adults are….
- Ill, disabled, and unattractive
- Forgetful, confused, rigid, boring, and unfriendly
- Unable to learn and understand new information
- not interested in sex or sexual activities
these ideas demonstrate AGEISM, which is discrimination against people because of increasing age
NURSES’ ATTITUDES TOWARD
OLDER ADULTS
Nurses must assess their own attitude toward older adults and their
own aging.
Come from personal experiences with older adults, education,
employment experiences, and attitudes of co-workers and employing institutions
Forming positive attitudes toward them and gaining specialized knowledge about aging and the health care needs of older adults
are priorities for all nurses
Nurses need to gain knowledge about aging and health care needs of
older adults:
Respect
Dignity
Involvement in care decision and activities
Gerontology is?
Study of aging process
Gerontological nursing ?
Caring for the aging adult (will NOT expect you to memorize these stages of aging, but understand them and which is currently “booming”) 65-74 years of age: the young old 75-84 years of age: the middle old 85-99 years of age: the old old 100 years of age or older: the elite old The current fastest growing subgroup is the old old at 85-99
the current fastest growing subgroup is the old old at what age range?
85-99
ERIKSON’S DEVELOPMENTAL
TASK FOR OLDER ADULTS
-Maturity (65-death) Ego integrity vs. Despair: older adult need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment, success at this stage leads to wisdom, failure results in regret and despair
DEVELOPMENTA L TASKS FOR OLDER ADULTS
adjustment
- decreasing health and physical strength
- Retirement and fixed income
-Death of a spouse, children,
siblings, friends
-To self as an aging person
(escalates w/age)
-Maintaining satisfactory living
arrangements
-Redefining relationships Spouse Adult children Siblings Maintaining quality of life
COMMUNITY-BASED AND
INSTITUTIONAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES
Where do the aging population live?
- private homes
- apartments
- retirement communities
- assisted living facilities
- nursing centers
- homeless shelters/ the streets
Assessment of the older adult
Assess readiness to learn
Are they physically well enough to be taught?
Are they in pain?
Wearing glasses &/or hearing aids?
- Sit facing the patient, good lighting so they can see your
facial expressions
Speak slowly and in a normal tone of voice. ENUNCIATE
Present one idea or concept at a time
Give time for response
Decrease environmental distractions
Use audio, visual and tactile cues
PHYSIOLOGICAL
CHANGES
Perception of wellbeing defines quality of life.
Perception is
dependent on the
ability to function
(Gordon’s)
Nurses need to be
aware of normal agerelated changes.
Not all physiological
changes are
pathological.
Physiological changes
Respiratory
NORMAL Variation
Increase; muscle strength, # alveoli, and cough reflex
decrease; AP diameter, wall rigidity, risk of infection
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES
Cardio/vascular
(leading cause
of death for this
age group)
Increase; systolic BP r/t Thicker vessels/narrowing lumens
Decrease; contractile strength & calcification of valves = lower CO and decreases peripheral circulation
Physiological changes
GI
Normal variation
Periodontal disease, hemorrhoids, anal fissures (more info to come with GI system)
decrease saliva, GI peristalsis,
Neurological
Increase; Rate of impulses & neurotransmitters = slowed cranial nerve responses.
decrease; proprioception (balance!)
