Older Adult

Question 1

Myths and stereotypes about older adults

Answer 1

• ill, disabled, unattractive
• forgetful, confused, rigid, bored,
• they are always rich or unable to learn new info

Question 2

Ageism

Answer 2

Discrimination against people of increasing age

Question 3

Development tasks for older adults

Answer 3

• health
• significant others
• sense of being useful
• socialization
• income
  -independent living
  Coping with:
• residence change
• death of a spouse
• adult children

Question 4

Community based + institutional services

Answer 4

Private homes, apartments, retirement communities, adult-day centers, assisted living facilities, nursing centers

Question 5

Assessing the needs of adults
( Age - specific approach)

Answer 5

• interrelation between physical + psychosocial aspects of aging
• effects of disease and disability on functional status
• tailoring the nursing assessment to an older adult

Question 6

Identify early indicators of an acute illness

Answer 6

• changes
• decrease in appetite
• falls
• dehydration
• dizziness and wt. gain

Question 7

Common physiological change
( Integumentary System)

Answer 7

• skin -> pigment changes, grandular atrophy (oil, moisture, sweat glands)
• lesions -> pre malignant lesions: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma

Question 8

Physiological changes
( Head & neck)

Answer 8

• facial features -> may appear more asymmetrical: missing teeth or dentures

Visual acurity -> retinal damage, reduced pupil size or loss of lens elasticity
-> presbyopia: progressive decline in ability of eyes to accommodate near/far vision

Question 9

Physiological change
( Auditory changes)

Answer 9

Presbycusis -> affects none of middle ear -> ability to hear high - pitched sounds

Question 10

Psychological change
( Salivary secretion)

Answer 10

-> reduced and taste bud atrophy + loss of sensitivity

-> less able to differentiate among salty, sweet, sour, bitter

Question 11

Functional changes

Answer 11

• physical
• psychological
• cognitive
• social domains

Question 12

Cognitive changes

                        Delirium

Answer 12

-> acute confusional state
-> changes in attention + awareness that develops over short time
-> memory deficit, disorientation, perceptual disturbances

Question 13

Dementia

Answer 13

-> generalized impairment of intellectual functioning that interferes w social and occupational functioning

Question 14

Depression

Answer 14

-Most common, yet undetected and untreated in older adults

-Great Depression Scale: easy to use screening tool used w interview with older adults

Question 15

Psychosocial changes

Answer 15

-retirement
-social isolation
-sexuality
-housing + environment
-death

Question 16

Elder mistreatment

Answer 16

-> complex, multifaceted, and wide variety of abuse

-> physical, emotionally, sexually, financial, and neglect

Question 17

Reality orientation

Answer 17

-> communication technique makes older adult more aware if person, place, and time

Question 18

Validation therapy

Answer 18

-> alternative approach to communicate with adult who is confused

Question 19

Reminiscence

Answer 19

-> method or technique used to recall past memories

-> way to express personal identity

Question 20

Body image interventions

Answer 20

-> way pt presents themselves: influence body image and feelings of isolation

Question 21

Gerontology

Answer 21

-> false perceptions about the physical + psychosocial characteristics and lifestyles of an older adult

Question 22

Gerontological nursing

Answer 22

-> provision of care that addresses mutually established goals for an older adult, family and health care members