Elderly Illnesses-Shumaker Flashcards
What are the leading causes of death for 65+ age group?
- heart dx
- cancer
- chronic lower resp
- stroke
- alzheimer’s
What are common causes of morbidity over age 65? Not mortality.
Osteoarthritis Hypertension Heart disease Hearing impairment Vision impairment Dental needs Cognitive impairment (40% over 85 have a major neurocognitive disorder) Functional impairment
What are some critical things for the elderly that are not covered by medicare?
eye glasses
hearing aids
dentures
How do you pay for long-term nursing home stays?
medicaid
private payer
How do you pay for long-term nursing home stays?
medicaid
private payer
at least $60K/yr
T/F Elderly have cookie cutter presentations of illness, steady homeostasis, and plentiful functional reserve.
False.
Atypical presentations of acute illness
Altered homeostasis
Decreased functional reserve
T/F Function & cognition is the main focus of the aging pop. rather than just the medical problem list.
T
T/F Readmission w/i 30 days are not reimbursed.
T
What is the most common discharge diagnosis for patients over the age of 75?
congestive heart failure
What are the aging changes for the musculoskeletal system?
decreased muscle and bone mass; height loss; osteoarthrosis of heavily used joints. Pain and deconditioning are common
What are the aging changes for cardiovascular system?
arteriosclerosis, increased collagen cross-linking, impaired baroreceptor function
What are the aging changes for the pulmonary system?
decreased lung vital capacity and cough reflex, increased residual volume, impaired mucociliary clearance. Swallow dysfunction can occur and aspiration is fairly common.
What are the aging changes for the GI system?
decreased gastric acid but normal absorption. Dry mouth, dental loss. Constipation is common
Common musculoskeletal diseases in the elderly?
osteoarthritis, DDD, osteoporosis, hip fracture
Common cardiovascular diseases in elderly?
hypertension (especially systolic), coronary artery disease, heart failure with preserved EF (diastolic dysfunction), systolic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, aortic stenosis, peripheral vascular disease
Common pulmonary geriatric diseases?
Deconditioning with exertional dyspnea, COPD esp. in smokers or prior smokers, pneumonia, aspiration pneumonitis and pneumonia
Common GI diseases of geriatric population?
– Decreased appetite, weight loss – variety of causes. GERD, constipation, cancers, diverticulosis/ itis.
Common cause of pneumonitis in elderly? Treatment?
aspiration causes inflammation of lungs
just monitor, will clear in several days
unless vitals are in jeopardy
Common aging changes for genitourinary system?
Decreased bladder capacity but increased residual after voiding
Males – prostate enlargement, voiding problems, impotence
Females – atrophic vaginitis, stress and urge incontinence, bacterial colonization of bladder
Changes in immunologic system of elderly?
Impaired cell mediated immunity (CMI) (- increased rates of cancer, lymphoma, H. zoster (shingles), even reactivation of latent tuberculosis)
Impaired skin, mucous membrane and respiratory tract barrier functions
(increased rates of infection of lung, urinary tract and skin - pneumonias, UTIs, cellulitis.)
Causes for weight loss in elderly?
medications decreased appetite cancer decreased access to grocery store depression dental pain, lack of teeth etc.
Changes in neurology/special senses in elderly?
Memory loss complaints are common.
Mild Cognitive Impairment can progress to dementia
Presbyacusis, presbyopia, lens opacification – difficulty with low lighting, glare, contrast.
Diminished sense of smell may be an early marker for dementia! Can affect taste, nutrition.
T/F Dementia is normal aging.
False.
Different types of incontinence?
stress
urge
overflow
functional (can’t remember to use bathroom)
