Introduction to Gerontology (Midterm-Unit 1 to 5) Flashcards
Gerontology
the study of the aging process biologically, sociologically, psychologically, and economically of older adults
Geriatrics
the study and provision of care for diseases, disabilities, and problems of older people
Old
- varies with time, place and personal perception
- rate and intensity of aging is highly variable and individualized
- no predictable sequence
Name the five core values for seniors.
1) Dignity
2) Independence
3) Participation
4) Security
5) Fairness
DIPSFa
List factors that influence the aging process.
- heredity
- nutrition
- health status
- life experiences
- smoking and drinking
- exposure to the environment (sun,cold,moisture)
- weight
- stress
- exercising
Identify current societal attitudes toward aging.
- aging=deterioration and impairment
- gray and wrinkled
- losing their mind
- sick and frail
- having little satisfaction from life
- returning to childlike behaviours
- being useless
Seniors make up the _____ age group. In 2011, an estimated _____ Canadians were ___ years of age or older, a number that is expected to ______ in the next 25 years to reach ______ seniors by 2036. By 2051, about ______ Canadians is expected to be 65 or over. In 2011 life expectancy at birth for a Canadian was estimated to be approximately ___ years of age.
- fastest growing
- 5 million
- 65
- double
- 10.4 million
- one in four
- 81
True or False? The majority of old people, age 65 plus, are senile.
False
True or False? The five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) all tend to weaken in old age.
True
True or False? The majority of old people have no interest in, nor capacity for, sexual relations.
False
True or False? Aged drivers have fewer accidents per driver than those under age 65.
True
True or False? At least one-tenth of the aged are living in Long Term Care facilities.
False
True or False? Older people tend to react slower than younger people.
True
True or False? In general, old people tend to be pretty much alike.
False
True or False? Older workers have fewer accidents than younger workers.
True
True or False? The majority of old people are unable to adapt to change.
False
True or False? The majority of medical practitioners tend to give low priority to the aged.
True
Ageism
prejudice against and stereotyping of older adults based on their chronological age, making them seem as inferior or less valuable
What are the negative effects of stereotyping?
- discrimination
- oppression
- paternalistic treatment and loss of control
- lowered social status
- segregation
Myth:People consider themselves to be old at age 65.
Reality?
Reality: People usually feel old based on their health and function, not their chronological age.
Myth: Old people are all the same.
Reality?
A lifetime of experiences make older adults a much more diverse group than younger adults.
Myth: Men and women age the same way.
Reality?
Women tend to live longer than men and more likely to suffer from chronic diseases , osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, incontinence and arthritis.
Myth: To be old is to be sick.
Reality?
Older people are more likely to age well then to become sick. Most (three quarters) remain active and little functional disability.
Myth: The majority of old people are institutionalized.
Reality?
Fasle
Myth: In today’s society, families no longer care for older people.
Reality?
About 80% of the care for older adults is provided by family.
Myth: There is a decline in all intellectual abilities in old age.
Reality?
Some cognitive ability does decline but other areas show improvement.
Myth: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Reality?
Older adults can learn new things, but the speed with with which they process information slows down.
Myth: Old people don’t cope well with change.
Reality?
Lots of changes happen to older adults and most handle it well, like retirement, moving to a new home, losing a spouse.
Myth: Old people don’t actively contribute to society.
Reality?
1/3 work for pay
1/4 participate in volunteer activities
58% provide informal aid to family members, friends, and neighbours
Myth: Old people make poor employees.
Reality?
Older adults perform as well or better than young adults , have less job turnover, fewer accidents, and less absenteeism.
Myth: Old people have no interest in, nor capacity for sexual relations.
Reality?
Sex plays an important role in people’s lives through their 70s. If it declines, its due to social reasons or risk factors.
Myth: The majority of old people are senile.
Reality?
In 1995, only 2% of seniors suffered from Alzheimer’s, dementia or cognitive impairment. The majority of people over 65 have neither.
Myth: People feel lonely and lost in retirement. They often get sick and die shortly after they retire.
Reality?
False
Myth: Old people are involved in a lot of car accidents.
Reality?
Older drivers have lower accident rates than drivers under 30 and same rate as middle-aged adults. Older adults tend to drive fewer miles per year though.
Myth: The key to successful aging is genetics.
Reality?
Genetic inheritance becomes less of a factor, environment and lifestyle become more important.
Where does our society get its inaccurate view of aging?
from media through news, magazines, ads, TV commercials
Name positive aspects on aging.
- fewer demands
- more time for leisure and travel
- work when they want
- discounts
- pension
Identify the developmental tasks of late adulthood.
1) adjusting to decreased physical strength and loss of health
2) adjusting to retirement and reduced income
3) coping with the death of a partner
4) developing new friends and relationships
5) preparing for one’s own death
Provide some examples as to how a health care aide can foster the following value through their work with seniors: Dignity
- show respect by avoiding using terms, gestures, or a patronizing voice
- ask clients show they would like to be addressed
- don’t talk about clients with others or exchange glances
Provide some examples as to how a health care aide can foster the following value through their work with seniors: Independence
- help clients only when they require it
- respect their routine
- do things the way the client wants
- avoid rushing them, give them time
Provide some examples as to how a health care aide can foster the following value through their work with seniors: Participation
- allow them to make decisions on their own care (when they wake up, what they eat, activities)
- accommodate for the client’s preferences
Provide some examples as to how a health care aide can foster the following value through their work with seniors: Fairness
- provide privacy
- keep information confidential
- give privacy when client has visitors and phone calls
- avoid exposure of the client’s body during procedures
Provide some examples as to how a health care aide can foster the following value through their work with seniors: Security
- report and record any signs of depression
- changes in behaviour may indicate fever, pain, inflammation, swelling that must be reported to the supervisor
In the past, working as a health care provider was thought to be…?
Working with the elderly meant that the health care worker was incompetent and not able to to work in an acute care setting, where they were paid a lower salary Little attention was paid to the elderly and the focus was on the sick and the well were ignored.
Why does everyone need to know about aging?
1) people are living longer, meaning an increase in 65+
2) an increase in demand for elderly care
3) everyone will grow old eventually
What do you think the role of the health care aide is when caring for older adults?
A support system for physical, social and psychological needs of an older adult.
Demographics
a comprehensive collection of facts about the aging population
What is the use of the census data for the health care industry?
to forecast health care needs and costs, select sites for hospitals, seniors’ homes and clinics
What are the reasons for the fast growing segment of the population that is the older adults?
- a declining birth rate
- a declining death rate
- immigration
What is the estimated Canadian seniors population percentage in the following years: 1921 1981 2011 2036
1921 = 5% 1981 = 10% 2011 = 14.1% 2036 = 25% (predicted)
Which age group contains the biggest proportion of seniors? a) 65 to 74 b) 75 and 84 c) 85+ Why is this important?
a) 65 to 74
the oldest range group have the most needs like social support and health care, so knowing how many are in each group is important
True or False. Women make up a relatively large share of the senior population, and will continue to outnumber men in the future.
True
What impact will the aging population have on our society?
1) greater dependency of older people on the young
2) increased government expenditures for such things as health care and pensions
3) higher taxes causing a fall in productivity and growth
4) shortage of workers
5) economy will lean more toward goods and services for older people
Name the three largest visible minorities in Canada.
South Asians
Chinese
Blacks
61.3%
Which provinces have a higher increase rate in older adults in Canada?
1) Atlantic provinces (1.7%)
2) Quebec (1.6%)
3) Ontario, British Columbia, the territories (1.1%)
4) Prairie provinces (0.0%)
* Alberta and Nunavut have the lowest*
What seems to be the trend in housing for aging men and women?
single-detached house: as age increases, less reside in this type of housing
personal care homes (collective dwelling): more reside here as age increases
True or false? Seniors with no chronic conditions are more likely to report their health status as good, great, very good, or excellent.
True
True or false? Canadian seniors are living in better health, with increased vitality and quality of life.
True
Show the following from least to most common chronic health condition in seniors.
arthritis and rheumatism high blood pressure emphysema or COPD stroke diabetes heart disease chronic pain cancer depression asthma
depression, chronic pain, asthma, arthritis and rheumatism, diabetes, high blood pressure. emphysema or COPD, cancer, stroke, heart disease
Order the least to most common prescription or over the counter drug taken by seniors for the following conditions.
chronic pain incontinence arthritis diabetes Alzheimer's disease heart disease stroke
arthritis, incontinence, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, diabetes, stroke, heart disease