Deck 1 Flashcards
What is the definition of older people
Over 65
Priorities and goals change
Toddlers and teenagers have similar problems to older people
Population is getting older, people living longer
Medicine is finding new ways of keeping people alive
What is the average mortality age of a person with hip fractures?
77 years
What is the percentage who die within a month of an injury
10%
What is the percentage who die within 1 year of the injury?
33%
What percentage does a rib fracture increase the risk of dying?
15%
What does NSF stand for?
National service framework for elderly people
How many standards does NSF have?
3
How many people does NFS benefit each year?
70,000
What is the legislation to prevent discrimination against the elderly?
The Equality Act 2010
Says there are no upper age limit on unfair dismissal and redundancy.
What is the nervous system physiological changes?
Brain decreases in size
Certain parts of the brain shrink - prefrontal cortex
Neurons reduce in size and density
Communication between neurons can reduce due to white matter degradation.
What is the cardiovascular system physiological changes?
Vasculature including veins, arteries, and aortic pulmonary valves thicken and becomes less flexible with age.
Decreases the ability of the heart to respond quickly
SA node fires slower/dysfunction- thus leading to reduce heart rate in elderly people.
What is the integumentary system physiological changes.
Wrinkles and saggy skin
Increased risk for skin injury
Lose protective layer of fat
Skin becomes thinner
Wound healing may be up to 4x slower.
What is the musculoskeletal system physiological changes?
Age related changes in bones, muscles and joints
Loss of bones
Mass and density produces curvature of the spine leading to height loss
Increase risk of fractures
Reduced mobility
Drops in oestrogen and testosterone decreases bone density.
What is the physiological changes?
Communication skills reduce
Hearing impairment.
Visual impairment
Memory loss affecting the production of words
What immune system physiological changes?
Reduced between 5-30%
Fewer microorganisms needed
Confusion prior to pyrexia is common
Symptoms can be mistaken
Medication can compromises immunity
Increased risk of chronic conditions
