Elderly - frailty Flashcards
What is the ageing population?
The proportion of elderly people in the population is increasing because people are living longer
What causes the ageing population?
Increased resource availability
Better economic conditions
Improved screening programs with earlier diagnosis/treatment
Better outcomes following major events
What is the main consequence of an ageing population?
More people have multiple co-morbid conditions
What are beneficial factors of ageing?
Increased experiential learning
What are detrimental factors of ageing?
Hypertension
Decreased reaction time
What is the stochastic theory of ageing?
Cumulative damage
Random
What is the programmed theory of ageing?
Predetermined
Changes in gene expression during various stages
What is the physiology of ageing?
Affects virtually every organ/system
Marked inter-individual variability in development and magnitude of changes
What is frailty?
Progressive dyshomeostasis
What is dyshomeostasis?
Impaired homeostasis - increased difficulty to maintain a steady state
What are frailty syndromes?
Falls
Delirium
Immobility
Incontinence
What is social dyshomeostasis?
Difficulty caused by environmental insults
Can medical conditions present differently in people with frailty?
Yes
