Geriatrics I Flashcards
Define gerontology
- Greek “Heron” for old man, scientific study of the process of aging & the particular problems of old people
Define geriatrics
- A healthcare specialty field focusing on care & treatment of older persons
While greater life expectancy is good resource for families, it can be thought of as a burden on the healthcare system (True/False)
True
Define physical limitation
- Difficulty with any of the 8 activities
- Walk a 1/4 mile, walk up 10 steps w/o rest, stand/be on feet for 2 hrs, sit for ~2 hrs, stoop/bend/kneel, reach up over head, use fingers to grasp/handle small objects, lift/carry something as heavy as 10 lbs
Why do older adults have difficulty seeking out preventive medicine/receive preventive care
- Lack of knowledge amounts elderly & healthcare providers
- Lack of drive
- Lack of family support
What 2 generations is our current knowledge of geriatrics based on
- Maturists and baby boomers
Describe successful aging
- Avoiding disease & disability
- Maintaining high physical & cognitive function
- Active engagement i social & productive activities
Describe usual aging
- Living with intrinsic unavoidable components of aging & pathological conditions
Describe optimal aging
- Maximizing functional capacity despite having chronic conditions
Describe the slippery slope of aging
- Fun -> Function -> Frailty -> Failure
What are the functional age categories for those ≥75
- Physically Elite: compete in high risk & power sports
- Physically Fit: participate in most endurance activities & sports
- Physically Independent: walking, gardening, low demand sports, social dancing
- Physically Frail: can perform some IADLs (grocery shopping) & all ADLs
- Physically Dependent: some ADLs, may need caregiving
Modifiable factors related to decline in all body structures/functions from aging
- Physical activity
- Nutrition
- Stress (inflammatory effects on tissues)
Why do people age differently
- Potentially enough tissue reserve in each system to get through 80-90 years without infirmity
- No unifying theory of aging
- ~ 50% of the decline with age has a genetic basis the remainder is the consequence of lifestyle, physical inactivity
Physical activity and its effect on aging
- Level of physical training may determine pattern of decline in health status even in individuals with same genetic potentials
- Improvements in physical activity (cardiorespiratory + muscular) might be a primary goal for geriatric rehab
Slides 17-20
Underlying age related physiologic changes affecting CV function
- Heart: electrical = frequency/regularity for people >65 can become abnormal; mechanical = heart becomes fatty, larger, less efficient, which alters force, velocity & length tension relationships
- Decreased elasticity of blood vessels result in chronic increase in vascular diameter & vessel wall rigidity, prone to HTN
- Autonomic dysregulation of HR at rest or with activity
Pathologies that can aggravate decline in the cardiovascular system
- A-fib
- CAD (atherosclerosis)
- Diabetic neuropathy (affecting autonomic nerves supplying the heart)
- CHF
- MI
- HTN
- Limb paralysis
- Disrupted peripheral flow (PAD)
- Reconditioning (effect on ANS)
Anatomic changes to pulmonary tissue due to aging
- Alveolar size increases
- Surface area for gaseous exchange decreases
In what ways is the effects of aging on pulmonary tissue similar to emphysema
- Increased distance b/w airspace walls
- Decreased surface area of airspace wall
- Decreased elastic recoil
- Increased expiratory airflow resistance
- Decreased diffusing capacity
Physiologic changes to expiratory pulmonary function due to aging
- Decline in forced expiratory volume per second (FEV)
- Takes longer & more effort to get air out of lungs
Underlying age related physiologic changes affecting lung function
- Stiffer chest wall
- Increased lung tissue compliance
- Lower max expiratory flows
- Lower max inspiratory flow
- Increased FRC and RV, lower VC, but stable TLC
- Lower diffusing capacity
- Lower PO2 and SpO2/SaO2 as a consequence of V/Q mismatch
- 70 y/o associated with pathology
- Lower respiratory muscle strength & endurance
- Increased airway reactivity
Clinical symptoms of COPD
- Shortness of breath (SOB)
- Increased respiratory rate (RR)
- DOE
- Pink puffers
- Barrel chest
- Hypoxia
- Inspiratory crackles
- Becomes clinical after 20-30 pack years of smoking
What is the most common obstructive disease in older adults
- COPD: harder to breathe out due to obstruction of airway by inflammation or mucus production
What is used to assess COPD severity
- GOLD criteria (Global initiative for obstructive lung disease) Must of <0.7 ratio to be defined as COPD for all stages***
- Severity of COPD measured by spirometric pulmonary function test
- Stage I = Mild; Stage II = Moderate; Stage III = Severe; Stage IV = Very severe
What is the most common restrictive disease in older adults
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)
- Harder to breathe in due to restriction of lung expansion
Symptoms of IPF
- Shortness of breath
- DOE
- All lung volumes are smaller
- FEV1/FVC >0.8 in spirometry
Effects of age on muscle performance
- Progressive denervation & impaired regeneration muscle: 50% decline in alpha motor neurons and motor units >65 years, Enlargement of remaining motor units, Decreased availability of satellite cells
- Deficits in absolute force & specific force generation (per cross sectional area)
- Muscle activation deficits: Reduced central drive to agonist muscles, Increased co-activation of antagonists
- Deteriorating muscle quality & metabolism: Infiltration of fat and other connective tissue, Insulin resistance
Define sarcopenia
- Primarily defined as age related loss of muscle mass & strength but now considered a clinical condition with genetic & lifestyle/environmental contributors (nutrition/activity/inflammation)