Chapter 14 - Late Life and Neurocognitive Disorders Flashcards
social selectivity
interests shift from seeking new social interactions to cultivating a few social relationships that matter to us
polypharmacy
prescribing of multiple drugs to a person
age effects
consequences of being a certain chronological age
cohort effects
consequences of growing up during a particular time period with unique challenges and opportunities
time of measurement effects
confounds that arise because events at a particular point in time can have a specific effect on a variable that is being studied
selective mortality
when people are no longer available for follow up due to death
angina
congestive heart failure
vestibular system
inner ear control of one’s sense of balance
dementia
descriptive term for the deterioration of cognitive abilities to the point that functioning becomes impaired
disorientation
confusion with respect to time, place or identity
Alzheimer’s disease
brain tissue irreversibly deteriorates, death within 12 years
plaques
small, round, beta-amyloid protein deposits outside neurons
neurofibrillary tangles
twisted protein filaments composed largely of the protein tau in the axons of neurons
smoking single depressed low social support
lifestyle variables of alzheimer’s
cognitive reserve
the idea that some people may be able to compensate for the disease by using alternative brain networks or cognitive strategies such that cognitive symptoms are less pronounced
frontotemporal dementia
caused by a loss of neurons in frontal and temporal regions of the brain impairment in empathy, executive function, inhibition, compulsion, hyperorality and apathy
executive function
cognitive capacity to plan and organize
hyperorality
tendencies to put nonfood objects in the mouth
pick’s disease
characterized by the presence of spherical inclusions within neurons
tau
protein filaments that contribute to the neurofibrillary tangles observed in Alzheimer’s disease
vascular demenia
dementia is a consequence of cerebrovascular disease
Dementia w/ Lewy bodies
include prominent visual hallucinations and fluctuating cognitive symptoms
cholinesterase inhibitors
drugs that interfere wit hthe breakdown of acetylcholine
delirium
being off track or deviating from the usual state extreme trouble focusing attention profound disturbances in the sleep/wake cycle
delusions
beliefs contrary to reality
What are the 3 groupings of ageing, defined by gerontologists?
*65-74 years = the young-old *75-84 years = the old-old 85 and above = the oldest-old
When considering social attitudes to ageing, what is the main difference between Eastern & Western Cultures?
In Eastern Cultures older people are held in high esteem whereas, in Western Cultures, growing old tends to be feared, or even abhorred by many. This is especially true for women in Western Cultures.
Name some of the common myths about ageing.
*we will become doddering and befuddled *We will become unhappy, cope poorly with our troubles, and become focused on our poor health *We will become lonely and our sex lives will become unsatisfying
What are some of the findings specific to cognitive functioning from research into ageing that might suggest a more positive future?
Severe cognitive problems do not occur for most people, though a mild decline in cognitive functioning is common
What are some of the findings specific to emotional regulation from research into ageing that might suggest a more positive future?
*Elderly (60 years +) experience less negative emotion than do young people *The Elderly are more skilled at regulating their emotion
What are some of the findings specific to pain from research into ageing that might suggest a more positive future?
Many older people under report somatic symptoms, perhaps because of beliefs that aches & pains are an inevitable part of late life
What are some of the findings specific to sexual activity from research into ageing that might suggest a more positive future?
Older people have considerable sexual interest & capacity Among those with a partner, most who are in good physical health remain sexually active
Which myth does the phenomenon of Social Selectivity challenge?
Social Selectivity challenges the myth that older people are lonely and socially isolated *The number of social activities engaged with is unrelated to psychological well-being among older people
What is the reality of social selectivity?
*When we have less time ahead of us, we tend to place a higher value on emotional intimacy than on exploring the world. *the tendency to preference time with closest ties rather than acquaintances
What could social selectivity be mistaken for?
To those unfamiliar with the age-related changes, social selectivity could be mistaken for harmful social withdrawl
What is a common prejudice about the elderly held by many people?
That all old people are the same *Each older person brings to late life a developmental history that make his or her reactions to common problems unique
“Late life would qualify as the Olympics of coping” - why is this?
*Physical decline & disabilities *Sensory & neurological deficits *Loss of loved ones *The cumulative effects of a lifetime of many unfortunate experiences *Social Stresses such as stigmatising attitudes towards the elderly
As people age they experience problems with sleep. What are the main issues?
*quality & depth of sleep declines *by the age of 65, 25% of people report insomnia *Rates of sleep apnoea also increase with age *Insomnia is often caused by medication side effects *Untreated chronic sleep deficits can worsen physical, psychological, & cognitive problems, even increasing the risk of mortality *However, psychological treatments have been shown to reduce insomnia successfully among the elderly.
Several problems are evident in the medical treatment available during latest life. What are some of the general issues older people face?
*Chronic health problems generally continue *Doctors often get frustrated when there is no cure *There is added time pressure on the health system