Geriatrics (Introduction and Incontinence) Flashcards
What age bracket is the fastest growing in the US population?
Adults >75 years
Who has greater longevity: men or women?
Women
What are some advantages of being a consultant pharmacist in LTC?
- Flexible schedule
- Work independently
- Work with multiple disciplines at a variety of facilities
- LTC regulations clearly describe pharmacist role
- Educational component for facility staff
What are some disadvantages of being a consultant pharmacist in LTC?
- Travel time
- Rely on facility staff for follow-up
- Communication with providers often written, asynchronous
- Frustration when recommendations are not accepted
- Limited patient interaction
How do we define healthy aging?
“The process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.”
What is functional ability?
Having the capabilties to engage in activities that patients find valuable
What are some activities of daily living (ADLs)?
- Dressing
- Bathing
- Transferring
- Feeding
- Toileting
- Walking/ambulation
What are some instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)?
- Handling finances
- Shopping for groceries
- Meal preparation
- Using a telephone
- Housekeeping/laundry
- Handling medications
- Using transportation
What are the two largest contributors to functional decline in older adults?
Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular
Functional limitations increase with age for nearly all categories except for what?
Lung
What medication classes can increase fall risk in older adults?
- Sedatives/hypnotics
- Neuroleptics/antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Opioids (especially long-acting)
- Loop diuretics
- Alpha-blockers
List the three most prevalent medication problems in older adults.
- Polypharmacy
- Nonadherence
- Altered pharmacokinetics
Is aging a barrier to adherence?
No!
How is total body water influenced by aging?
Decreased
How is lean body mass influenced by aging?
Decreased
How is body fat influenced by aging?
Increased
How is baroreceptor response/activity influenced by aging?
Decreased
How is heart rate variability influenced by aging?
Reduced
How is hepatic blood flow influenced by aging?
Decreased
How is renal blood flow influenced by aging?
Decreased
How is neurotransmitter volume influenced by aging?
Decreased
How are Vd and concentration of water-soluble drugs such as atenolol affected by aging?
↓ Vd and ↑ concentration
How are Vd and T1/2 of lipid-soluble drugs such as rifampin affected by aging?
↑ Vd and ↑ T1/2
How are clearance and T1/2 of most hepatically-cleared drugs like propranolol affected by aging?
↓ Clearance and ↑ T1/2
How are the clearance and T1/2 of most renally-cleared drugs like atenolol affected by aging?
↓ clearance and ↑ T1/2
What are the Beers Criteria?
Criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults (65+)
What medication classes should be avoided/used with caution according to Beers Criteria?
- Anticholinergics (cognitive impairment)
- Sedatives and other medications with CNS effects (falls)
- Diabetic agents (sliding scale insulin, long-acting SUs)
- Medications that may exacerbate chronic conditions (heart failure)
What factors should be considered when choosing medications for older adults?
- Life expectancy
- Goals of care
- Treatment targets
- Time required to benefi (i.e. DCCT trials for tight FBG control, bisphosphonates in osteoporosis)
What is palliative care?
After diagnosis of terminal illness, disease is not responsive to curative treatment or treatment doesn’t exist; holistic care for patient and family with the goal to optimize QOL
What is hospice care?
Care provided at home, in LTC, or in an independent facility where most patients have a life expectancy of 6 months or less (certified by an MD); diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, and labs are no longer covered
Advanced Care Directives are supported by which act?
Patient Self-Determination Act
What are Advanced Care Directives (ACDs)?
- Verbal/written instructions about future medical care and treatment
- Elective and do not take away a patient’s right to make current care decisions
- Include Health Care Representative, Psychiatric Advance Directive, and Power of Attorney
What does it mean to designate a Health Care Representative?
Naming someone to make decisions if you are unable (or prevents someone from making decisions for you)
What is a Psychiatric Advance Directive?
Sets preferences regarding mental illness during periods of incapacity
What is a Power of Attorney?
Can be financial or healthcare-based; grants power to others you choose
Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (POST) is a legal document declaring what four things?
- Preferences for resuscitation
- Medical interventions (intubations, dialysis, hospitalization)
- Antibiotics
- Artificial nutrition