Chapter 7: Environmental Design: Accomodating Sensory Changes In The Older Adult

Question 1

Is the important in identifying environemtnal cues and distinguishing environmental hazards

Answer 1

Vision

Question 2

A decrease in both peripheral and upper visual fields accelerates with aging

Answer 2

Visual Field

Question 3

The capacity of the eye to discriminate fine details of objects in the visual field, generally declines with age, although this decline is not universal or inevitable

Answer 3

Visual Acuity

Question 4

Within the environment, declining visual acuity necessitates a stronger stimulus or light source

Answer 4

Illumination

Question 5

When lllumination is increased, care must be exdrcise to avoid excessive and intensive illumination, which can creat hazard for older persons int he form of ___

Answer 5

Glare

Question 6

Dark adaptation, or the ability of the eye to become more visually sensitive after remaining n darkness for a period of time, is delayed in older persons

Answer 6

Dark adaptation

Question 7

The ability of the eye to focus images on the retina independent of objects distances, is impaired with aging

Answer 7

Accomodation

Question 8

The ability to perceive, differentiate, and distinguish colors declines with aging as a result to changer in retinal cones, the retinal bipolar and ganglion cells, the visual pathways that terminate in the occipital cortex and the lens

Answer 8

Color

Question 9

The ability to discriminate between degrees of brightness appears to decrease in individuals age 60 ears and older

Answer 9

Contrast

Question 10

Related to loss of color discrimination is change in depth perception, or the ability to estimate the relative distance and relief of objects

Answer 10

Depth perception

Question 11

Provides primary link that allows individuals to identify with the environment and communicate effectively

Answer 11

Hearing

Question 12

Conductive hearing loss results from dysfunction of the external ear, the middle ear, or both.

Answer 12

Conduction Hearing Loss

Question 13

Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is a dysfunction in conversion of sound waves to electrical signals by the inner ear or dysfunction in transmission of nerve impulses to the brain.

Answer 13

Visual Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Question 14

both intertwine to provide additional links with the environment.

Answer 14

Taste and Smell

Question 15

Although there is no agreement on the cause, it is known that the number of taste buds decreases with age. By age 60 years, most people have lost approximately half of their taste buds.

Answer 15

Taste

Question 16

Research on olfactory sensitivity and smell is contradictory, but sensation appears to decline as a result of age, as well as a result of other factors associated with age. These factors may include continuous expo- sure to odor, leading to decreased acuity, or exposure to environmental pollutants or smoking.

Answer 16

Smell

Question 17

is a complicated human response that involves many separate processes—including touch, temperature, pain, as well as vibration sensitivity, kinesthesia, and stereognosis.

Answer 17

Touch

Question 18

Degenerative changes in Meissner corpuscles may result in decreased sensitivity of the skin on the palm of the hand and sole of the foot but not of hairy skin. The resultant decrease in touch acuity can affect the ability of older individuals to localize stimuli.

Answer 18

Tactile Sensitivity

Question 19

Changes in vascular circulation and loss of subcutaneous tissue in older individuals may result in changes in thermal sensitivity and impaired ability to cope with extreme environmental temperatures.

Answer 19

Thermal Sensitivity

Question 20

Examples of accommodations that should be considered include use of enhanced lighting and provision of contrast in personal living space to deter falls that result from decreased vision and the use of smoke detectors with visual cues to decrease vulnerability to death from fires in older individuals with decreased ability to hear and smell.

Answer 20

Personal / Living Space

Question 21

Problems with depth perception, glare, and visual misinterpretation

Answer 21

Visual Ability

Question 22

care is exercised to choose floor coverings or carpeting that avoids patterns
or borders that increase visual spatial difficulties and focus on strong color contrast.

Answer 22

Dementia

Question 23

Increasing light levels during activities may be effective in reducing these agitation levels.

Answer 23

Agitation

Question 24

Excess noise is a known stressor. To minimize these hallucinations and the
associated stress, it is important to reduce background noise.

Answer 24

Auditory halluciantions

Question 25

is important, and can have a therapeutic effect for individuals with dementia.

Answer 25

Touch