Elderly Development Flashcards
1
Q
What is defined as elderly?
A
- Change in social role
- Most countries use age 65, UN uses 60 (age associated with retirements/benefits or pension)
2
Q
Number of older people is projected to increase
A
“Rising tide,” reduced death rates for children/young adults as well as the aged population
3
Q
Consequences of an aging society
A
- Economic: fewer people supporting more (social security, medicare, services)
- Social/political: what do we prioritize?
- Healthcare: chronic disease rather than acute illness, workforce issues, long term care
4
Q
Aging
A
- Normal and inevitable process of change
- Different people age differently
- Multiple aspects
5
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of Skin
A
- Hair thinning and greying
- Decreased elasticity and decreased subdermal fat (wrinkles)
- More fragile and injury prone (bruising, tearing)
- Less effective barrier (infection, UV light)
- Decreased sweat and sebaceous gland activity (tend to be dryer so they have to be more careful in the heat)
- Decreased sensitivity to touch and vibration (could get hurt more easily)
6
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of Vision
A
- Iris is more rigid, lens more elastic
- Presbyopia, difficulty focusing on near objects
- Pupil is smaller and less responsive (more sensitive to glare, harder to adjust to changes)
- Decreased sensitivity of retinal cells (less sensitive to contrast in colors)
- Dry eyes
- Decreased visual acuity and peripheral vision (implications for driving)
7
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of Hearing
A
- Difficulty with higher frequencies
- Difficulty with speech discrimination
- May interfere with communication and contribute to isolation
- May interfere with medical care
- A risk factor for delirium and dementia
8
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of Taste and Smell
A
- Decreased sensitivity
- May not detect dangerous odors like gas, rotting food
- Decreased appetite and pleasure in food
- Increased use of salt and sugar
9
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of Hematopoietic system
A
- Loss of bone marrow mass and increase in fat
- Marrow less responsive to changes like hypoxia or blood loss
- Platelets less responsive and increased clotting factors, so pro-cagulant state
- Impaired functioning of some white cells, decline in immune function
- Increased infection, cancer, autoimmune disease
10
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of GI system
A
- Increased risk for tooth decay (potential malnutrition)
- Changes in esophageal muscle an peristalsis (increased reflux)
- Altered colon mobility (predispose to constipation, diverticulosis)
- Decreased liver mass, hepatic blood flow, P450
11
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of the Renal System
A
- Decreased renal mass, blood flow, function
- Decreased creatinine clearance
- Effects how drugs are cleared
12
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of the Cardiovascular System
A
- Left ventricular hypertrophy
- Stiffening of the large arteries
- Decrease in HR and BP variability
- Decrease in intrinsic and maximum HR
- Increase in cardiovascular disease states like CAD and hypertension
13
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of the Respiratory System
A
- Chest wall thickening and decreased compliance
- Decreased surface area for gas exchange
- Decreased arterial oxygenation
- Decreased functional reserve
- Reduced effectiveness of cough and mucociliary clearance
- Predispose to hypoxia and pneumonia
14
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of the GU System
A
- Decreased detrusor contractility, bladder capacity, flow rate (increased rates of incontinence)
- Changes in urethra related to decreased estrogen (predispose women to UTI)
- Vaginal atrophy and dryness related to decreased estrogen (influences sexual fxn in women)
- Decreased sperm count and motility, prostate enlargement, more difficulty with erectile fxn in men
15
Q
Aging: Physical Changes of the Musculoskeletal system
A
- Decreased muscle mass, increaed body fat
- Changes in mobility and balance (contributes to insulin resistance, changes volume of drug distribution)
- Decreased bone mass (increased risk for fracture)
