Managing ageing patients Flashcards
Define ageism
A process of systematic stereotyping and discrimination against people just because they are old.
Why are older populations increasing
decreasing fertility and decreasing premature mortality , migration, clean water, improvements to housing and sanitation
The effect of ageing populations on health
Increased numbers of geriatricians
Increased facilities for elderly health care will be required
The end stage of these diseases requires as much palliative care (diabetes,CVD)
Specific health promotion campaigns aimed at the elderly.
The effect of ageing populations - SOCIAL
they will be increasingly dependent on families and/or carers who are also ageing.
The demand for home carers and nursing home places is likely to increase.
Within local communities, there will be increasing emphasis on providing social activities for the elderly.
The role of the elderly as grandparents and carers of grandchildren is likely to change.
Housing demands are likely to change as more elderly people live alone
The effect of ageing populations - economic
Retirement/Pension age is already increasing.
Finding employment may become harder for young people, as older people being required to work for longer blocks the “top end” of the employment sector.
Less people paying into tax and pension funds - harder to gain return
The effect of ageing populations - political
Current decision making and workforce planning must take account of the ageing population.
The increasing elderly population will potentially have the power to influence political decision making in relation to their specific concerns.
it is important to work with
Third Sector Organisations such as Age Concern - live healthier, better quality of life
roles of a carer (family/friend)
provide practical help such as preparing meals, doing laundry or shopping.
- company
- look out for them
- financial matters
- personal care
the financial impacts of being a carer
- drop in household income
- cut back on essentials like food and heating
- missed out on support due to not getting the right advice
- finance worries are affecting mental health
What is Multimorbidity
the co-existence of two or more long-term conditions in an individual “
Ace inhibitors used for
hypertension, heart failure
beta blocker used for
HF
Inhaled corticosteroids for
COPD
Systems that NSAIDS can be used on
cardio, MUSK, nervous, renal , resp and endocrine
complexity in older patients means, what may this mean for them in terms of treatment
patients may have more than one chronic health condition
- preferred treatment for one condition may worsen another
