Old age, death and bereavement

Question 1

Why is the proportion of the population who are elderly increasing?

Answer 1

When life expectancy increased , the birth rate has fallen

Question 2

Why is a greater proportion of medical consultations and expenditure concentrated on older people?

Answer 2

Control of infectious diseases means that there is a lower burden of daisies among young people and a concentration of illness and death among the elderly.

Increases in elderly population

Question 3

What are the 2 ways intellectual functioning is expressed as?

Answer 3

Crystalline Intelligence
Fluid Intelligence

Question 4

What is Crystalline Intelligence?

Answer 4

Reflects experience and long term memory

Question 5

What is Fluid Intelligence?

Answer 5

Reflects processing, speed and short term memory

Question 6

Eventhough Fluid intelligence tests suggest that many older people are mentally disadvantaged, why does their behaviour often not reflect this description?

Answer 6

As their crystalline intelligence compensates for the decline in their fluid intelligence

Question 7

Give a few causes for depression in the elderly

Answer 7

Functional disability
Cognitive impairment
Social deprivation
Role loss
Negative life events
Death and Bereavement

Question 8

What is grief?

Answer 8

Normal, natural emotional reaction to loss

Question 9

What is mourning?

Answer 9

Process of adaptation to loss with reference to cultural and social rituals and expectations

Question 10

Give a few examples of acute grief responses

Answer 10

Disbelief
Shock
Agitation
Anger
Crying
Tearful
Disrupted sleep
Aimless activity
Ilusions / Hallucinations
Preoccupation with images of lost ones

Question 11

Give a few examples of longer term grief responses

Answer 11

Social withdrawal
Sleep disturbance
Restlessness
Decreased concentration
Decreased/increased food intake
Reduced libido
Depressed mood