Elderly intro - just notes Flashcards

1
Q

What is classed as elderly?

A

Over 65
Young elderly is 65-75
Very elderly is >85

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2
Q

What system commonly gets symptoms when there is a general problem?

A

Locomotor system

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3
Q

Challenge with elderly patients

A

Complex - lots of causes to problems which have to be adressed
Atypical presentation - non specific to disease, systems are slower to react to infection etc

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4
Q

Problems with risk of falls after 1 fall

A

After 1 fall risk of falls increases due to change in behaviour

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5
Q

Reasons for under-reporting symptoms in elderly

A
  • Fear hospital
  • Embarassed
  • Fear of being a burden
  • Independence
  • Think symptoms normal part of aging
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6
Q

Why can sexual diseases increase in elderly?

A
  • No fear of pregnancy so no protection sometimes
  • Increased risky behaviours if change of frontal lobe etc
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7
Q

What to ALWAYs ask about in elderly?

A

Alcohol can be cause of delirium, common in elderly, can also cause falls

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8
Q

Clinical frailty scale

A
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9
Q

What are geriatric syndromes?

A
  • Group pf signs and symptoms that characterise a specific disorder
    Multifactorial origin
  • No single common pathway to the disorder
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10
Q

Examples of geriatric syndrome components

A
  • Falls
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Dizziness
  • Syncope
  • Insomnia
  • Malnutrition
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11
Q

How to the elderly often present with illness?

A
  • Atypical presentation
  • Multiple concurrant problems
  • Non-specific symptoms
  • Hidden illness - they also under report
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12
Q

Examples of atypical presentations

A
  • MI with no chest pain
  • Hyperthyroidism without tachycardia, weight loss etc
  • Infection without rising WBC and fever
  • Fatigue as symptom of CHF
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13
Q

Non-specific symptoms elderly often present with

A
  • Confusion
  • Self neglect
  • Falling
  • Incontinence
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss/anorexia
  • Dyspnoea
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14
Q

What must you ask elderly people about as they often do not offer up this information?

A
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Depression
  • Incontinence
  • MSK stiffness
  • Alcoholism
  • Hearing loss
  • Memory loss
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15
Q

Reasons elderly under report

A
  • Belief symptoms due to old age
  • Fear/denial
  • Concern about cost
  • Embarassed
  • Mentally mpaired
  • Concern about ill spouse insted
  • Previous bad experience with NHS
  • Fear of institutionalization
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16
Q

What does it mean when elderly experience multipla concurrent losses?

A
  • Loss of physical health
  • Loss social contacts - family/friends die
  • Loss familial roles
  • Loss financial security
  • Loss independence and power
  • Loss mental stability
17
Q

Normal ageing vs disease

A

Ageing is not disease

18
Q

Core components of geriatric assessment

A
  • Functional capacity
  • Fall risk
  • Cognition
  • Mood
  • Polypharmacy
  • Social support
  • Financial concerns
  • Goals of care
  • Advanced care preferences
19
Q

What should you always consider in elderly if they develop new symptom?

A

Could this be due to a drug therapy?

20
Q

Medication management strategy for elderly

A

STOPP/START medications
Beers criteria

21
Q
A