Late Adulthood & End of Life

Question 1

when does late adulthood begin?

Answer 1

in the 60s, and it can potentially be the longest age group

Question 2

How many people have neurocognitive disorders? (Under 60, 65-75, 85+)

Answer 2

under 60 - extremely rare
65-75 - small percentage
85+ - 50%

Question 3

why do women outlive men?

Answer 3

genetics
men are more likely to engage in risky behavior
men are more likely to abuse drugs/alcohol
men are less likely to be vigilant about overall health

Question 4

do most elders live in nursing homes?

Answer 4

no, most live at home and can take care of themselves

Question 5

what is primary aging?

Answer 5

genetically influenced, and thought to be unavoidable

Question 6

what is secondary aging?

Answer 6

influenced by lifestyle and environment, not inevitable

Question 7

what is the wear and tear theory?

Answer 7

the idea that time and exertion simply wear us out over time

Question 8

what are some problems with the wear and tear theory?

Answer 8

it doesn’t address the root cause of primary aging
the body does a great job repairing itself throughout life - why can’t it keep up anymore?
people who exercise regularly generally live longer, which runs counter to this theory

Question 9

what do gene theories say about aging?

Answer 9

Specific genes seem to be responsible for longevity and noticeable physical changes that come with aging

Question 10

what are 2 cellular theories of aging?

Answer 10

Hayflick Limit: human adult cells have a limit to the number of times they can divide
Free Radical Theory: free radicals triggered by environmental contaminants are linked to certain diseases. Accumulating free radicals over time might be associated with cataracts and arthritis

Question 11

what is programmed cell death theory?

Answer 11

cells appear to be designed to self-destruct. Many diseases associated with aging (osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s) seem to be at least partly caused by this process

Question 12

how can dementia be diagnosed?

Answer 12

psychiatrist/psychologist screening
nurse screening
functional MRI
social worker assessment

Question 13

what are some physiological signs common in people with ADRD?

Answer 13

acetylcholine deficiency
neurofibrillary tangles
amyloid plaques
atrophy in the brain

Question 14

what are symptoms of neurocognitive disorder caused by Parkinson’s?

Answer 14

anxiety
depression
hallucinations
personality changes

Question 15

what are risk factors for neurocognitive disorder caused by vascular disease?

Answer 15

hypertension
smoking
obesity

Question 16

what are some other neurocognitive disorders?

Answer 16

traumatic brain injury - difficulty concentrating, slower processing
substance abuse - concentration and motor problems
Prion disease - ex. mad cow disease, a Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder
HIV - at least 25% of people with HIV have a neurocognitive disorder

Question 17

what is the most common type of dementia?

Answer 17

alzheimer’s, which makes up 60% of cases. it is thought that there is more than one type

Question 18

how long can one live with alzheimer’s?

Answer 18

a few years up to 15 years

Question 19

which sex lives longer with alzheimer’s?

Answer 19

women

Question 20

describe the 3 stages of alzheimer’s

Answer 20

beginning: memory decline, forgetting words and replacing them with unusual ones, social withdrawal, depression
middle: loss of some independence, shouldn’t cook or drive, forgetting names of close family, unaware of current events or year, personality changes, problems walking due to reduced ability to interpret visual stimuli
end: cannot speak, eat, walk, use a toilet.

Question 21

According to alzheimer’s association, what are 10 early signs of alzheimer’s?

Answer 21

memory loss that disrupts daily life
challenges planning or solving problems
difficulty completing familiar tasks
confusion with time or place
trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
new problems with speaking or writing
misplacing things and an inability to retrace steps
decreased/poor judgment
withdrawal from social activities
changes in mood or personality

Question 22

what are some myths about alzheimer’s, according to alzheimer’s association?

Answer 22

memory loss is just a part of aging
alzheimer’s is not fatal
only older people can get alzheimer’s
using aluminum drinkware or cookware can cause alzheimer’s
aspartame causes alzheimer’s
flu shots increase the risk of alzheimer’s
silver dental fillings cause alzheimer’s
there are treatments available to cure alzheimer’s

Question 23

what is unique about early-onset alzheimer’s?

Answer 23

it’s very rare, and caused by gene changes from parents

Question 24

what is disengagement theory?

Answer 24

the idea that older adults should withdraw from society, they would be happier not being concerned with society.
not a good idea - use it or lose it

Question 25

what is activity theory?

Answer 25

counterargument to disengagement theory, states that the more active one is, the happier they will be. it may take some creativity to figure out how to stay involved

Question 26

what is selective optimization with compensation theory?

Answer 26

selection - be selective, but you may need to adjust your approach
optimization - maintain what you can through practice, even if other areas decline
compensation - must learn to compensate for declines

Question 27

what is successful aging?

Answer 27

maturity and social interaction. Selective optimization with compensation, along with other qualities like spirituality and humor, are the best strategies for successful aging.

Question 28

what are the 5 stages of grief?

Answer 28

denial
anger
bargaining
depression
acceptance

Question 29

what are the 2 types of euthanasia?

Answer 29

active - administering something to hasten death

passive - removal or disuse of life support

Question 30

why is hospice good?

Answer 30

it can be sent to a client’s home, which is where people prefer to die
they can treat physical needs like pain and nausea
they can address social and spiritual needs

Question 31

what is palliative care?

Answer 31

comfort care. no longer trying to extend life, but making it comfortable

Question 32

what is mourning?

Answer 32

behaviors undertaken while grieving, strongly culturally determined

Question 33

what is grief?

Answer 33

the psychological reaction to loss, can contain sadness, anxiety, and anger