Older Adult Flashcards
Older people have a higher rate of ______
chronic illnesses (often multiple)
Wide variation in _______ and ______ status
physical, functional
Individuals who do not have debilitating disease live healthy lives into their
80s and 90s
Assessing the older adult is not simple a
disease oriented approach
Focus is on healthy or ________ aging
successful
Lifespan wish for elder adult
simple happiness
Focus on older adult
understand supports
functional assessment
promote long term health and safety
Not just maximize life span, but maximize ______ span
health
Goals of care for older adult
maintain function
fulfilling, active lives
promote healthy aging
Primary aging
changes in physiologic reserve that occur over time
Primary aging is _________ of changes induced by _______
independent, disease
Changes in vital signs in older adults: BP
Systolic HTN with widened pulse pressure (vessels stiffen), auscultatory gap
Changes in vital signs in older adults: Heart Rate and Rhythm
decline in function of pacemaker cells, affects response to physiologic stress
Changes in vital signs in older adults: Respiratory rate
unchanged
Changes in vital signs in older adults: temperature
changes in temperature regulation leads to susceptibility to hypothermia/hyperthermia
Changes in physiology in older adults: skin
fragile, loose, transparent (esp hands/forearms) “onion skin”
actinic (solar or senile) purpura
Loss of subcutaneous fat/tissue
Changes in physiology in older adults: nails
lose luster, yellow, thicken, especially toenails
Changes in physiology in older adults: hair
loses pigment
hair recedes
loss of hair elsewhere (trunk, pubic, axilla, limbs)
Changes in physiology in older adults: Eyes
fat around eye atrophies
cornea lose luster
smaller pupils
dry eye common
presbyopia (age related vision loss)
increased risk glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts
Changes in physiology in older adults: Ears
deceased hearing (presbycusis)- lose higher tones
increased cerumen
Presbycusis
deceased hearing (especially lose higher tones)
Changes in physiology in older adults: mouth
decreased secretions
decreased sense of taste (d/t meds)
Changes in physiology in older adults: thorax and lungs
decrease in exercise capacity (d/t cardiac +- pulmonary)
increased work to move joints/contract muscles
chest wall stiffens (increased work of breathing)
kyphosis d/t OA
Changes in physiology in older adults: cardiovascular- VESSELS
Bruits (vessels in neck): partial material obstruction from atherosclerosis
Changes in physiology in older adults: Cardiovascular HEART
Extra heart sounds S3 after age 40 (suggests heart failure)
S4 (can he healthy but suggests decreased ventricular compliance/impaired filling)
Scarring in SA node
Changes in physiology in older adults: cardiovascular murmurs
systolic aortic murmurs are common
aortic stenosis (fibrosis and calcification)
Aortic stenosis (leaflets become calcified and immobile, impede outflow)
Aortic stenosis and aortic sclerosis increase risk of
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality
Changes in physiology in older adults: breasts
diminish in size (glandular tissue atrophies, replaced by fat)
ducts surrounding nipples become more palpable and firm/stringy strands (calcification deposits)
Changes in physiology in older adults: abdomen
fat accumulates in lower abdomen and near hips
signs of acute abdominal disease is blunted
Pair and fever in older adults
Pain is less severe
Fever is less pronounced
Changes in physiology in older adults: Male GU SEX
sexual interest intact
frequency declines
erection more dependent on tactile stimulation
ED in 1/2 of men
Changes in physiology in older adults: Male GU PROSTATE
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
proliferation of prostate epithelial and stratal tissue
30s-70s
half of men with BPH have sx
Changes in physiology in older adults: female GU Menopause
Menopause usually around 48-55
Hot flashes up to 5 years (maybe longer)
vaginal dryness
urge incontinence
dyspareunia
Within 10 years ovaries are usually no longer palpable
Loss of estrogen tone
Changes in physiology in older adults: MSK
shortening (loss of height in trunk from thinning intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies shorten OA)
Skeletal muscle decrease in bulk/power
ROM diminishes from OA
Changes in physiology in older adults: Neurologic
difficult to distinguish changes of moral aging from disease
“benign forgetfulness” can occur at any age
Consider more than disease in elderly (4 others)
Functional
Economic
Psychosocial
Environmental
Geriatric syndromes
common health conditions in older adults
not distinct organ based category
multifactorial cause
functional decline and dependence
Examples of geriatric syndromes
cognitive impairment
incontinence
MALNUTRITION
Falls
SLEEP DISORDERS
sensory deficit
DEPRESSION
Aortic stenosis presents with
exertional fatigue
Risk factors in older adults
increased age
cognitive impairment
functional impairment
impaired mobility
Examples of multidimensional problems
hearing
vision
polypharmacy
mobility
Younger vs. older adults
younger adults (look for unifying diagnosis)
older adults (multifactorial, geriatric syndromes)
Approach to the patient: older adults
demeanor: respect, patience, cultural awareness
Pay close attention to: adjusting office environment, content and pace of visit
When an older adult spikes a fever you are concerned because
it is their bodies last resort
Approach to the patient: office modifications
well-lit, moderately warm room
minimal background noise
safe chairs
make sure glasses/HA/dentures in
Approach to the patient: older adults Interview
adjust pace, content
ALLOW TIME FOR OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS AND REMINISCING
Include family and caregivers
ensure written instructions are in large print and easy to read
Special areas to assess older adult
functional status
polypharmacy
fall risk
cognitive problems
mood/depression
nutrition
incontinence
vision/hearing
social supports
financial concerns
goals of care