Frailty

Question 1

what is frailty?

Answer 1

progressive homeostasis

susceptible state that makes a person more likely to lose function in the face of an environmental challenge

Question 2

what are the main presentations of frailty syndromes?

Answer 2

delirium
incontinence
falls
immobility

Question 3

what is the difference in reaction to cold stress with the young vs frailty?

Answer 3

reduced peripheral vasoconstriction

reduced metabolic heat production

Question 4

what is the difference in reaction to heat stress with the young vs frail?

Answer 4

reduced sweat gland production
reduced skin blood flow
smaller increase in cardiac output
less redistribution from renal and splanchnic circulations

Question 5

what are the 3 theories of ageing?

Answer 5

stochastic:

• accumulative damage
• random

programmed:

• pre-determined
• changes in gene expression during various stages of life

homeostatic failure

Question 6

what is the change in blood pressure in the elderly compared to the younger population?

Answer 6

there is a rise in systolic blood pressure but decrease in diastolic bp

wide pulse pressure
high systolic means they require anti-hypertensives but the low diastolic makes them vulnerable to hypotension when on these medications

Question 7

what is meant by social dyshomeostasis?

Answer 7

susceptible state that makes a person more likely to lose function in the face of an environment/social insult
i.e. death of spouse