Intro, definitions, theory, and wellness of aging Flashcards
____% of the caseload of PT’s across clinical settings are 66 years and older
40-43
Negative perception of older adults based on their age alone; Attitudes toward older people are more negative than toward younger people
Age bias
What affects the experience of aging?
- Gender
- Roles
- Cohort Effects
- Cultural Factors
- Place of Residence
- Social Attitudes
- Individual Characteristics and Experiences
- Socioeconomic factors
- Public Policy
What challenges do older adults face?
- Adjusting to the death of a spouse
- Losing employment/living on a reduced income
- Losing physical vigor
- Changes in living environments
- Use of leisure time
- Affiliating with elder groups
- Developing new social roles that bring respect and recognition
Biological; Progressive deterioration of physiological function, an intrinsic age-related process of loss of viability and increase in vulnerability; Normal process affecting the body and all it’s functions
Aging/ senescence
- intrinsic, progressive, and universal, i.e. these changes are built into the hard-wiring of the organism, but can occur at different rates in different individuals, and include changes such as wrinkling of skin, graying of hair, decrease in muscle strength and bone mass
the capacity to function across many domains: physical, functional, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual- to one’s satisifaction and in spite of one’s medical conditions
Optimal aging
modifications which take place due to age-based illness, as independent from modifications correlated with typical healthy aging
Pathologic aging
- “Normal” aging is a result of natural maturational processes whereas “pathological” aging is due to non-normative factors such as disease or trauma to the brain
Theory of aging that focuses on the mechanisms for aging in the cell nucleus
Developmental-gentic (fundamentalist)
- biological theory
- aging at the organism, molecular, and cellular levels
Theory of aging that focuses on the mechanisms for aging in organs, tissues, body systems, and the environment (ie radiation)
Nongenetic (environment) stochastic
- a system’s subsequent state is determined both by the process’s predictable actions and by a random element.
Theory of aging that stresses homeostasis (adequate nutrient and degree of exposure to strains and stressors); increased longevity in those with stress resistance
Stress theory
- developmental-genetic theory
Theory of aging that states capacity and integrity of the immune system declines with age
immunological theory
- developmental-genetic theory
- reduced Tcell function, i.e. autoimmune diseases
Theory of aging that looks tat the amount of free radicals a person is exposed to is what affects the aging process the most; postulates it causes Atherosclerosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cataracts; there are Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors contribute to the production of free radicals (Intrinsic: O2 metabolism, Extrinsic: environmental contaminants, diet, Damage: DNA, RNA, Enzymes)
Free radical theory
- developmental-genetic theory
- during accumulation in tissue they choke off O2 and nutrients to surrounding tissue, causing further degeneration
Theory of aging that postulates longevity is inversely proportional to metabolic rate
Dietary restriction theory
- developmental-genetic theory
- only life-prolonging means accepted by research
What are the body systems impacted by the physiologic effects of aging?
- Sensory
- Musculoskeletal
- Integumentary
- Internal Organs
- Cardiopulmonary
- Neurological
What are they psychological effects of aging?
- Anxiety
- Memory
- Depression
- Social Isolation
- Institutionalization
- Chronic Illness
- Death, Dying, Grief
- Cognition
What happens to body composition as we age?
- Lean mass decreases, Fat mass increases - Example: Male 20’s 85/15…. Male 70’s (same weight) 70/30; Females 80 y/o common 50% fat mass
- Fat is highly metabolic
- Most Fat occurs intra-abdominally
What happens to collagenous tissue as we age?
- Loss of water (Intervertebral discs, Articular cartilage)
- Increase in crosslinks - Decreased ROM (end range), stiffness (passive tension is great at end range)
- Loss of elastic fibers - Sagging skin and organs; Less give in tendons and ligaments
What happens to the cardiovascular system as we age?
- Decline in max HR
- Decline in Vo2 max
- Stiffer, less compliant vascular tissues
- Loss of cells from the SA node
- Reduced contractility of the vascular walls
- Thickened basement membrane in capillary
What happens to the nervous system as we age?
- Sloughing/loss of myelin
- Axonal loss
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
- Loss of sensory neurons
- Slowed response time
What are the 7 dimensions of wellness?
- Emotional
- Environmental
- Intellectual/cognitive
- Physical
- Professional/vocational
- Social
- Spiritual
What can PTs do to promote successful and optimal aging?
- Exercise
- Provide resources for nutrition
- Promote/ retain mobility
- Promote social community
What specific values should PTs have to promote successful and optimal aging?
- Patience
- Awareness of bias
- Being understanding of the changes they’re going through
