Geriatrics- Ageing and Frailty

Question 1

List some of the reasons people are living longer.

Answer 1

Better screening programmes
Increased resources
Better outcomes following strokes/cancer/surgery
Better economic conditions

Question 2

Which respiratory measurement decreases with age?

Answer 2

Vital capacity

->total lung capacity stays the same

Question 3

What are the ‘frailty syndromes’?

Answer 3

Falls
Delirium
Incontinence
Immobility

Question 4

What is frailty?

Answer 4

Progressive dyshomeostasis

->homeostasis is the basis of physiology , homeostasis becomes dysregulated with age

Question 5

What is meant by social dyshomeostasis?

Answer 5

Difficulty caused by environmental changes e.g. loneliness

->loneliness can cause as much harm as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!!!

Question 6

Some conditions can present differently in ageing population.

For example, how does hyperthyroidism presentation differ in people with frailty?

Answer 6

Depression
Cognitive impairment
Muscle weakness
Atrial fibrillation
Heart failure
Angina

->not so much to remember, more to be aware that symptoms can vary widely from the usual weight loss, diarrhoea, tremors, anxiety