Human Aging Flashcards
In new classification of OLD. What is considered Young-Old?
Being 65-74 y/o
Middle-old?
75-84 y/o
Old-old?
> 85 y/o, fastest growing group
What about death rates?
Are at Record Low, with Longevity increased
Higher income associated with
Longer life span (LS)
Children/ Elderly high poverty
Low LS
Aging is no longer synonym of
Disease
In concepts of aging. What is Usual aging?
1 or more chronic medical conditions
Successful aging?
Physically, mentally, cognitively well into 90’s, 100’s
Primary aging?
Mainly genetically influenced
Secondary aging?
Primarily environmental-accidents vs exercise and diet
Optimal aging?
Functioning at the highest possible level
Mention changes in body parts and body functions with aging?
Gray hair, tooth/hair loss
elongation of nose/ ears
loss of height, muscle mass, subc fat
Declining eyesight/ hearing
Brain changes in old age?
- Decreases brain volume/ Frontal blood flow
- Increase CSF
- Ventricular enlargement
- Decline in density of gray/ white matter
Short term vs Long term memory in old age?
-Short term (primary): better preserved
Secondary memory?
- Long term memory
- Difficult in encoding/ retrieval processing
What remains stable?
- Attention span
- Communication skills
- Visual perception
What increase?
- judgement
- accuracy/ general knowledge
What Decline?
- Selective attention
- cognitive flexibility
- naming objects
- Logical analysis
What type of aging is genetically influenced?
PRIMARY
What is Crystallized Intelligence?
Intelligence that increase through experience through out life
What is Fluid intelligence?
- Intelligence that DECLINE with AGE
- Mental/ Intellectual capabilities with no neurological disease
- remain relatively intact (minor deficits)
What is disease prevention?
Active lifestyle productive mental life social connections healthy diet sleep refreshing well-being
Physiological changes in women
- Menopause
- Vaginal changes
Physio problems in men?
E.D >65 have 1/ 4 times attempts sex
-Treatment: More FOREPLAY, Viagra
Sexual activity after 80 y/o?
29% Men
25% Women
80 y/o man suffering from E.D. Which recommendation is better?
Try a little more FOREPLAY
What is MC psych disorder associated with aging?
ANXIETY
Old age: Men vs Women suicides?
Men: 80% suicides
85%=Firearms
Risk factors for suicide?
- Older white male
- Divorce/ spousal loss
- failing health
- Chronic pain
- ETOH abuse/ Substance abuse
- Major depression/ Social isolation
- firearms
Passive Euthanasia?
Withholding/Withdrawing med Tx to terminally ill
-Important: Living Will or Advanced life directive
What is common in Elder abuse?
Inexperienced/ Overwhelmed caregiver
