Gero, Older Adults Flashcards
Older Adults are considered ages — and up
65 and over.
Identify 3 myths or stereotypes regarding older adults.
- people stereotype adults as being disabled, ill, and physically unnattractive
- mistaken ideas about living arrangements and finances
- older adults become worthless after they leave work.
What are the seven developmental tasks of older adults?
- decrease in health and physcial strength
- retirement and reduced or fired income
- death of a spouse, children, siblings, friends
- accepting self as aging person
- maintaining satisfactory living arrangements
- redefining relationships with adult children and siblings.
- finding ways to maintain quality of life.
Nurses need to take into account five key points to ensure an age-specific approach.
- interrelation between physical and physiological aspects of aging
- effects of disease and disability on functional status
- tailoring the nursing assessment to an older person
- sensory changes
- memory deficits
identify the early indicators of an acute illness in an older adult
- changes in mental status
- occurrence and reason for falls
- dehydration
- decrease in appetite
- loss of function
- dizziness and incontience
Integumentary changes
Pigmentation changes, glandular atrophy, thinning hair
Respiratory changes
decreased cough reflux and vital capacity, increased airway resistance
Cardiovascular changes
lower cardiac output, decreased baroreceptor sensitivity
Gastrointestinal changes
decrease in saliva, gastric secretions, and pancreatic enzymes.
Muscoskeletal changes
Decalcification of bones, degenerative changes, dehydration of the intervertebral disks.
Neurologic changes
degeneration of nerve cells, decrease in neurotransmitters.
Sensory changes
Presbyopia, presbycussis, decreased proprioception
Genitourinary changes
50% decrease in renal blood flow, decreased bladder capacity
Reproductive changes
decreased estrogen production, atrophy of vagina, uterus and breasts.
Endocrine changes
decreased ability to respond to stress
Functional status in older adults refers to…..
capacity and safe performance of ADL’s and instrumental ADL’s.
Explain the three common conditions that affect cognition in older adults: Delirium:
confused state (reversible) psychological cause
Explain the three common conditions that affect cognition in older adults: Dementia:
generalized impairment of intellectual functioning (leads to altzheimers)
Explain the three common conditions that affect cognition in older adults: Depression:
most common, most undetected, and untreated.
Identify the psychosocial changes that occur in older adults: Retirement:
health status and sufficient income
Identify the psychosocial changes that occur in older adults: Social Isolation:
no desire to interact or conditions enable them to do so.
Identify the psychosocial changes that occur in older adults: Sexuality:
hormones decrease, they still have sexual desires.
Identify the psychosocial changes that occur in older adults: Death:
experience of loss through death.
List general preventative measures to recommend to older adults:
participation in screening activities regular excercise weight reduction moderate alcohol use regular dentist visits stress management socialization regular checkups
Heart disease
leading cause of death
Cancer
second most common cause of death
Stroke
Risk factor in the four most common causes of death
Smoking
Third leading cause of death
Alcohol abuse
caused by depression, loneliness, and lack of social support.
Alcohol abuse
caused by depression, loneliness, and lack of social support.
Nutrition
risk factors: impaired vision, arthritis, incontinence, medication reactions
Dental problems
caries, gingivitis, and ill fitting dentures.
Exercise
maintains and strengthens functional ability and promotes well-being.
Polypharmacy
concurrent use of many medications
Falls
situational factors and clinical conditions affect older adults needs.
sensory impairments
changes in vision, hearing, taste, and smell.
pain
consequences include depression, loss of appetite, sleep difficulties.
medication use
adverse effects include confusion, impaired balance, dizziness, and nausea.
