Gerontology Definitions

Question 1

What are theories of ageing?

Answer 1

Theories of ageing have been formed by society to try to understand the way that people age and how their engagement in meaningful occupations change.

Question 2

What are the two theories of ageing relevant to Jane?

Answer 2

Disengagement theory and activity theory

Question 3

Define disengagement theory

Answer 3

It is the theory that as people age, they withdraw from society and consequentially from meaningful occupations as they feel they no longer have anything to offer.

Question 4

Define activity theory

Answer 4

It is the theory that people have a higher level of satisfaction in life when they engage in activities that are meaningful to them, however they may not always have the means to do so. EG social support, physical abilities etc.

Question 5

What is a fall?

Answer 5

A fall is an unintentional loss of balance that results in making unexpected contact with lower levels or the floor.

Question 6

What are intrinsic falls factors and give some examples

Answer 6

Intrinsic fall factors relate to internal or biological elements that impact a person’s ability to maintain balance. These can include age, inactivity, illness, medication of having had previous falls.

Question 7

What are extrinsic falls factors and give some examples

Answer 7

Extrinsic falls relate to environmental factors or physical objects external to the body that can result in a fall. These can include curbs, stairs, uneven ground, poor light etc.

Question 8

What are cognitive impairments?

Answer 8

Cognitive impairments is a broad term used to describe a person’s difficulty carrying out psychological processes such as reasoning, orientating themselves, professing information and remembering things. Having cognitive impairment can greatly impact a person’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations as well as significantly impact their loved ones.

Question 9

How would you specifically screen for cognitive impairments?

Answer 9

• Performance analysis

- Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA)

Question 10

What is palliative care and when would someone need it?

Answer 10

Palliative care is given to people who are coming to the end of their lives and treatment interventions can no longer improve their condition, but only maintain their current levels of functioning and quality of life for as long as possible.

Question 11

What are the principles of palliative care you will relate to Jane?

Answer 11

1. Enhancing quality of life
2. Relief from pain and other distressing symptoms
3. Supports family

Question 12

What are the benefits of working with a family carer?

Answer 12

Working with a family member of an older adult can have many benefits and ensure clear communication about the type of support you are provided. They can have valuable insight about their older adult (family member) and ultimately help you to carry out the therapeutic process.

Question 13

What is sexuality?

Answer 13

Sexuality is a broad term to describe a person’s sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and activity. People can express their sexuality in many different ways

Question 14

How can you support someone’s sexuality?

Answer 14

• Inclusive communication
• Inclusive environment
• Education and training

Question 15

What are normal ageing processes?

Answer 15

The normal ageing process involves a person growing older naturally and undergoing progressive changes to their body without the influence of disease and illness.
For example, older people produce less collagen and oils in their skin, resulting In in being more fragile and thus easily damaged and harder to make a quick recovery.

Question 16

What are pathological ageing processes?

Answer 16

Pathological ageing refers to changes that occur in an older person’s body due to age-related diseases or illnesses, thus disrupting the normal ageing process.
Examples of this is developing Parkinson’s disease, arthritis or cardiovascular disease

Question 17

What are normal ageing processes that affect Jane?

Answer 17

• Alveoli in her lungs having reduced elasticity

- Reduced motor-neuron function

Question 18

What is a pathological process affecting Jane?

Answer 18

• Parkinson’s disease

Question 19

What is bioethics?

Answer 19

Bioethics are the ethics that surround researching medical and biological approaches and concepts and then applying it in practice

Question 20

What are the 4 principles of bioethics?

Answer 20

• Autonomy
• Beneficence
• Non-maleficence
• Justice

Question 21

What is agism?

Answer 21

Agism refers to the discrimination in our thoughts, words and behaviours towards another person based on their age

Question 22

What are agist stereotypes?

Answer 22

Agesim is fuelled by negative stereotypes of people of a particular age, particularly older adults, such as they are dependant, incapable, slow etc.

Question 23

What is elder abuse?

Answer 23

Elder abuse is a single or treated act that causes harm or distress to an older person. Unfortunately, it can be commonly inflicted by someone that the older person initially trusted or was close with.

Question 24

What are risk factors of elder abuse?

Answer 24

• Being female
• Being dependant on the person inflicting abuse
• Socially isolated, unable to speak English
• Having decreased physical and cognitive function

Question 25

Describe financial abuse

Answer 25

The illegal or improper use of a person’s finances, such as selling an older person’s home and keeping the money for themselves, pressuring an older person to give them money or taking money from a bank account without permission.
This poses the risk of an adult not being able to pay for things that they want to, such as health care, food or leisure activities.

Question 26

What is dementia?

Answer 26

Dementia is a term used to broadly describe the decline of cognitive functioning which can result in memory loss, confusion, rationality, social skills and intellect

Question 27

Describe 3 types of dementia?

Answer 27

1. Alzheimers is a form of dementia that directly affects a person’s memory, language and thought. It essentially changes how sensory info is transferred into motor output and results in the shrinking of white matter.
2. Lewy-bodies dementia is similar to Alzheimers and must have at least two of the following symptoms: visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism and fluctuation of mental state. It is caused by protein deposits, called lewy bodies in the brain, that affects important chemicals responsible for cognitive function.
3. Vascular dementia is caused by an impaired supply of blood to the brain and the symptoms of this depend on the location of the damage/stroke.