General Principles of Aging

Question 1

What happens to homeostasis as we age? What is the consequence of this?

Answer 1

Decreases–decreased ability to return to baseline function after some sort of insult

Question 2

A major loss in function usually means what? What does this lead to?

Answer 2

loss in ambulation, leading to immobility

Question 3

What are the CNS symptoms of immobilization?

Answer 3

Dependence, depression, confusion

Question 4

Why should you be careful with admitting elderly pts?

Answer 4

Will cause immobilization

Question 5

What are the two major things old people want?

Answer 5

Function and independence

Question 6

How should you describe older patients?

Answer 6

In terms of function, not in chronological years

Question 7

Function = age (true of false)

Answer 7

False

Question 8

What percent of function is present at young adult age, middle age, and old age

Answer 8

Young = 90-100% of function
Middle = 10-30% decreased function
Old = significant lost of function

Question 9

What is the age range for young adult?

Answer 9

20-39

Question 10

What is the age range for middle age?

Answer 10

40-64

Question 11

What is the age range for old age?

Answer 11

65-74

Question 12

What is the age range for very old age?

Answer 12

74-84

Question 13

What is the age range for oldest old age?

Answer 13

85+

Question 14

True or false: there is likely impariment of function for ADLs at the very old age status

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or false: there is likely impairment of function for ADLs at the very old age status

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or false: organs age at different rates

Answer 16

true

Question 17

How much money do 85+ yo pay out of pocket above health insurance? 80-84? 70-75?

Answer 17

85+ = $16,000 / yr
80-84 = $10,0000 /yr
70-75 = $6,000 / yr

Question 18

What are the five major psychological changes with aging?

Answer 18

1. Attitude towards life
2. Self image/worth
3. Value to society
4. Changes with retirement
5. Dependence

Question 19

What is life span?

Answer 19

Length of life (birth to death)

Question 20

What is longevity?

Answer 20

Number of years of life

Question 21

What is mean longevity?

Answer 21

Life expectantct

Question 22

What is the life expectancy in the US?

Answer 22

78.3 years

Question 23

What percent of people die between the ages of 77-93

Answer 23

95%

Question 24

What is the maximum longevity?

Answer 24

Maximum life span

Question 25

What is mean longevity?

Answer 25

Life expectancy

Question 26

What is the theoretical maximum life span?

Answer 26

110-120 years

Question 27

Polypharmacy is what?

Answer 27

taking more than 5 drugs at once

Question 28

What happens to body composition as we age? What is the effect of drugs on this?

Answer 28

Increased fat, altered drug absorption/breakdown

Question 29

What is the consequence of the decreased appetite of older folks?

Answer 29

Decreased ability to compensate for drugs

Question 30

Increased stress can cause what things (besides the obvious)?

Answer 30

Skin disorders

Question 31

What is the favorite self medication in the elderly?

Answer 31

EtOH

Question 32

What two things does smoking cause that you didn’t know?

Answer 32

Osteoporosis

Cataracts

Question 33

Do older people, in general, under or over report medical problems?

Answer 33

Under