Lecture 1A Overview of gero nursing

Question 1

The apparent disconnect between definitions of wellness and aging results from _

Answer 1

1. Misunderstandings about aging (that it is associated with declining health).
2. A narrow focus on physical health and functioning (rather than a holistic view of wellness).

Question 2

High-level wellness

Answer 2

An integrated method of functioning that is oriented toward maximizing each person’s potential, while maintaining a continuum of balance and purposeful direction within the person’s environment.

Question 3

A major focus of a “wellness approach” to older adult health care is _

Answer 3

Addressing the body-mind-spirit interconnectedness of each older adult as a unique and respected individual.

Question 4

_ is objectively defined as a universal process that begins at birth.

Answer 4

Aging.

Question 5

Subjective age

Answer 5

A person’s perception of his or her age; studies show that most older adults feel significantly younger than their chronologic age and that this perception helps them maintain a positive view of themselves.

Question 6

Perceived age

Answer 6

Other people’s estimation of someone’s age.

Question 7

Chronologic age

Answer 7

The length of time that has passed since birth.

Question 8

Important indicators of age include _

Answer 8

1. Physiologic health.
2. Psychological well-being.
3. Socioeconomic factors.
4. The ability to function and participate in desirable activities.

Question 9

Functional age

Answer 9

1. A conceptualization of a person’s age based on their ability to contribute to society and experience personal quality of life.
2. Provides a more rational basis for care than chronologic age.

Question 10

The 3 components of “successful” aging

Answer 10

1. An active engagement with life.
2. High cognitive and physical function.
3. Low probability of disease and disability.

Question 11

Ageism

Answer 11

1. The prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to older people sheerly on the basis of their age; more common in industrialized societies.
2. Includes negative stereotypes of social isolation, psychological rigidity, asexual behavior, lack of creativity, physical and mental decline, and economic and familial burden.

Question 12

Elders are the most respected age group in Japanese culture due to the concept of _, which supports the view that adult children should respect and support parents.

Answer 12

Interdependence.

Question 13

Age attribution

Answer 13

The tendency to attribute problems to the aging process rather than to pathologic and potentially treatable conditions; as a result, older people often receive less aggressive treatments for common ailments.

Question 14

An essential first step in planning interventions for older adults is to _

Answer 14

Identify those factors that are not inherent consequences of aging.

Question 15

The percentage of older adults living in nursing homes at any time is _

Answer 15

4-5%.

Question 16

The percentage of older adults who live in independent housing settings in the community is _

Answer 16

About 93%.

Question 17

Socioeconomic characteristics that are most strongly associated with healthy aging are _

Answer 17

1. Poverty (women, blacks, and Hispanics are disproportionately impacted).
2. Lower educational level (better educated people live longer, have higher incomes, and have fewer health problems).

Question 18

The chronic condition that affects older adults most often is _

Answer 18

Hypertension.

Question 19

Informal caregiving

Answer 19

1. The provision of assistance to a family member or friend in a nonprofessional and unpaid role to support the person in a community setting.
2. About 80% of the care provided for dependent older adults falls into this category.

Question 20

Concepts related to _ age are most appropriate in wellness-oriented nursing care.

Answer 20

Functional.

Question 21

The current trend in the United States is that caregiving needs of elders are met primarily by _ and secondarily by _

Answer 21

Spouses; adult children, especially daughters and unmarried children.

Question 22

Older adults may be responsible for raising grandchildren in _ households.

Answer 22

Skipped-generation.

Question 23

The average life expectancy in the United States is currently _

Answer 23

78.7 years (80.4 years for women; 73.5 years for men).

Question 24

The state that has the highest concentration of senior citizens is _

Answer 24

Florida.

Question 25

The 5 leading causes of activity limitations in older adults are _

Answer 25

1. Arthritis.
2. Hypertension.
3. Heart disease.
4. Diabetes.
5. COPD.

Question 26

The most frequently reported reason an older adult will resist or completely refuse evacuation in the face of an impending disaster is _

Answer 26

Pets.

Question 27

The presentation of illness that is usually the first sign in an older adult with dementia is _

Answer 27

Confusion.

Question 28

Older adults are in Erikson’s developmental stage of _

Answer 28

Ego integrity vs. despair.