Older Adult/Chronic Illness/Abuse Flashcards
The 4Ms
- Asking what Matters
- Mobility
- Meds
- Mentation
- Asking what Matters
Know and act on each patient’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences
- Mobility
Maintain mobility & function and prevent/treat complications of immobility
- Medications
- Optimize use to reduce harm & burden, focusing on meds affecting mobility, mentation, what matters
- Mentation
Focus on delirium, dementia, & depression
Presbyopia
Farsightedness cause by loss of elasticity of the lens of the eye
Presbycusis
Hearing loss
Three D’s
- Delirium
- Depression
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Acute state of confusion
- Usually reversible once cause has been identified/treated
Causes of delirium
- Electrolyte Imbalances
- Cerebral anoxia
- Hypoglycemia
- Meds/pain meds
- Infections
- Sensory overload
- New environments
- Depression
- Reversible
- Thought to contribute to high suicide rates
- People w/dementia may also experience depression
- Dementia
- Gradual impairment of brain function w/actual irreversible changes to the brain
- Memory loss
Signs of illness in the elderly
- Confusion
- Decreased function
- Decreased appetite
- Dyspnea
- Tachycardia/pnea
- Cardinal signs of illness
- Cascade disease pattern
Primary Health Promotion
- Prevention of illness or disease
- Immunizations
Examples of Primary Health Promotion
- Stay current w/ vaccines
- Reduce risks of falling
Secondary Health Promotion
- Early detection of illness/infection
Examples of secondary health promotion
- Mammograms, colonoscopy
- Drink plenty fluids
- Be physically active 3-5 times a week
Tertiary Health Promotion
- Limiting disease progression
- Rehab
Examples of tertiary health promotion
- Maintaining appropriate weight
- Using meds, herb, supplements, as ordered
Acute Illness
Disease that has rapid onset & short duration
Characteristics of acute illness
- Responds to treatment
- Complications infrequent
- Person returns to previous level of functioning
Examples of acute illness
- Cold
- Flu
- Gastroenteritis
Chronic Illness
Disease that is prolonged, does not resolve by itself, rarely cured
Characteristics of chronic illness
- Permanent impairments or deviations from normal
- Irreversible pathologic changes
- Residual disability
- Special rehab required
- Need for long-term medical management
Examples of chronic illnesses
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Obesity
7 Tasks of people with chronic illness
- Prevent/manage crisis
- Carry out treatment plan
- Control symptoms
- Reorder time
- Adjust to changes in course of disease
- Prevent social isolation
- Attempt to normalize interactions w/others
Signs of sexual elder abuse
- Genital injuries
- Bloody undergarments
- Bruising on upper thighs
- Trouble walking or sitting
- STDs
- Behavioral changes
Signs of financial elder abuse
- Unusual bank activity
- Forged/missing checks
- Checks made out to cash
- Last minute will updates
- Plummeting bank account
- Lost high-value assets
- Generous gifts to acquittances/strangers
- Poor financial decisions
Signs of emotional elder abuse
- Withdrawal
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Shame or guilt
- Fear of certain people
- Low self-esteem
- Suicidal
Signs of physical elder abuse
- Unexplained injuries
- Frequent ED visits
- Bruises, slap marks, burns, lacerations
- Fall-related injuries
- Overall decline in health
