Older Adulthood Flashcards
Theories of ageing fall into 2 categories. What are they
Cellular - errors arise in cells crating wear and tear
Programmed - predetermined lifespan
Another name for cellular theories on ageing
Damage theories
Cellular theories say that…
Biological ageing is about random date rather than programmed damge
Arguments for programmed theories of ageing
Life expectancy has increased but maximum life has not
Genes regulating cell division expressed differently in middle and older adulthood
Telomere hypothesis is about what fool
Telomere at end of chromosome shrinks with each replication
Once telomere is too short the cell can’t replicate and it dies (senescence)
Women have longer telomere than men
How does body composition change in older adulthood
Bone and muscle mass decreased
Gain fat due to hormonal
Being underweight more a danger than being overweight
What are the Changes to cardiovascular system in older adults
Left ventricular wall thickens
Arterial walls stiffen and lose elasticity
Muscle cells CK tract at slower rate
Oxygen consumption decreases
What are the Changes to respiratory system in older adults
Becomes less efficient
Decreased elasticity
Loss of alveolar surface leading to increased resp work rate
Alveolar membranes weaken and stretch
Gas exhcnahe surface decreases by 30%
Sats drop to 90
Key change in gastrointestinal system in older adukts
Decreased liver size and portal blood flow meaning decreased drug elimination rate
Key renal system changes in older adults
Decreased kidney mass
Decreased filtration rate
Most noticeable physical changes of older adult
Skin homie.
Cognitive changes in older adukthood
IQ remains constant
Fluid intelligence decreases
Crustalised intelligence increases
Lack of motivation may be reason for decreased problem solving skills
Cognitive changes in older adukthood
IQ remains constant
Fluid intelligence decreases
Crustalised intelligence increases
Lack of motivation may be reason for decreased problem solving skills
2 theories of successful ageing are
Activity theory
That people will find satisfaction by maintaining an active lifestyle
Disengagement theory
Involves mutually withdrawal of the against Individual from society
Memory decline in older adults can lead to the 3 d’s
Which are?
Depression
Deletion
Dementia
Most common psychiatric complaint of older adults is
Depression
Why is depression often underdiagnosed in older adults
Symptoms mimic those of normal ageing
Sleep problems
Memory complaints
Lack of sex drive
Also mimics dementia
Suicide rates in older adults spikes at what age
85+
Sex at greatest risk of dementia
Females
Causes of dementia
Loss of grey matter neurones in brain and cns
Clinical features of dementia
Impaired cognitive functions
Unsociable
Altered mood
Disruptive
Parkinson’s disease caused by
Lack of dopamine in basal ganglia
Osteoperosis is more common in which gender and age
Female
55+
Osteoperosis risk factors
Gender Smoking caffeine alcohol Inactive Easting disorder Diabetes Kidney failure Coelliac
