Caring for Older Adults with Mobility Issues Flashcards
Exam 3
What is fundamental to active aging?
Mobility is fundamental to active aging
What is mobility intimately linked to?
Mobility is fundamental to active aging and is intimately linked to health status and quality of life.
Mobility in Older Adults
How is mobility broadly defined?
Mobility is broadly defined as the ability to move oneself (e.g., by walking, by using assistive devices, or by using transportation) within community environments that expand from one’s home, to the neighborhood, and to regions beyond.
Mobility in Older Adults
What leads to falls and fractures?
Age related changes + Risk Factors= Falls and fractures.
Mobility in Older Adults
What is a goal for older adults?
Goal for older adults -maintain mobility skills & avoid falls and fractures
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System:
What are functional problems experienced by older adults related to?
Many of the functional problems experienced by the older adult are related to changes of the musculoskeletal system.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
When do signs of musculoskeletal impairment being?
Although some changes begin in early adulthood, obvious signs of musculoskeletal impairment may not appear until later adult years.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
How do effects of musculoskeletal changes range?
Effects of musculoskeletal changes may range from mild discomfort and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living to severe, chronic pain and immobility:
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Effects of musculoskeletal changes may range from mild discomfort and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living to severe, chronic pain and immobility:
What kind of problems occur?
Functional problems
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Effects of musculoskeletal changes may range from mild discomfort and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living to severe, chronic pain and immobility:
What is a decrease?
Decreased muscle mass and strength
Decreased flexibility
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Effects of musculoskeletal changes may range from mild discomfort and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living to severe, chronic pain and immobility:
What is altered?
Bone remodeling process is altered: ( results in Decreased bone density)
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Effects of musculoskeletal changes may range from mild discomfort and decreased ability to perform activities of daily living to severe, chronic pain and immobility:
What is there a risk for?
Risk for falls (balance, altered proprioception)
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Alterations in musculoskeletal system can result in what?
Alterations may affect the older adult’s ability to complete self-care tasks and pursue other usual activities.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Why does this risk for falls increase in older adults?
The risk for falls also increases in the older adult due in part to a loss of strength.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
Aging can also bring changes in what? What could this lead to?
Aging can also bring changes in the patient’s balance, thus making the person unsteady, and proprioception (awareness of self in relation to the environment) may be altered.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
What causes a loss of bone density? What does loss of bone density lead to?
The bone remodeling process is altered in the older adult. Increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation cause a loss of bone density, contributing to development of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
How much muscle mass and strength is lost by age 70? What else can lead to skeletal muscle movement problems?
Muscle mass and strength also decrease with aging. Almost 30% of muscle mass is lost by age 70. A loss of motor neurons can cause additional problems with skeletal muscle movement.
Gerontologic ConsiderationsEffects of Aging on MS System
What happens to tendons and ligaments? What happens to joints?
Tendons and ligaments become less flexible, and movement becomes more rigid. Joints in the aging adult are also more likely to be affected by osteoarthritis.
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
What are bones?
Bones-Framework for musculoskeletal system
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
Bones: What is there an increase of? What is there a decrease of?
increased resorption
decreased Calcium absorption
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
Muscles: What happens to motor neurons? What does this result in?
Motor neurons will die with ageresulting in a denervation of the muscle fibers within the motor unit. This denervation causes the muscle fibers to atrophy and eventually die, leading to a decrease in muscle
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
Sarcopenia: What is it?
Sarcopenia-age related loss of muscle mass –increased risk for frailty and falls
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
What is the importance of joints and connective tissue?
Joints and Connective Tissue-Directly affects all activities of daily living (ADLs)
changes in cartilage & ligaments
Normal Age-Related Changes in Musculoskeletal System
Crepitus or crepitation-
Crackling sounds and a grating sensation that accompany movement