Older Adults Flashcards
Age range of older adults
65+
Key to older adults for nurses
Help them live longer but fulfilled lives with dignity and independence
Society misconception #1 about older adults
Disease is normal and unavoidable
Society misconception #2 about older adults
Health promotion is not important for older adults since their lives are almost older
Society misconception #3 about older adults
Damage to health resulting from inactivity or poor nutrition is irreversible
Society misconception #4 about older adults
Ageist beliefs about older adults
By decreasing risk factors and increasing healthcare, it is possible to…
Postpone/delay onset of chronic diseases until an age closer to death
How is it possible to delay disease?
Exercise and diet
No smoking
Prevent falls
Preventative care
The decline in health in old age is primarily due to…
Unhealthy life choices in earlier years
Why are there so many older adults? (4)
Improved standard of living
Improved nutrition
Progress in medical care
Increase in health consciousness
__ men and __ women are 65 years or older
23%, 15%
Continued growth represents
Aging baby boomers
Minority populations will represent __% by year 2050
38%
By 2050, __ people will be 100+ years old
1 million, fastest growing population
People use most healthcare dollars in the last __ years of life
7
In older adults, screen for… (5)
Dementia, hearing, sleep, respiratory disease, vision
Biology and genetics: key is identifying
normal age related changes from pathological processes
Common chronic conditions
HTN, arthritis, CVD, cancer, DM, asthma, stroke
Loss of cognition is…
NOT a normal part of the aging process
Incontinence is…
NOT a normal part of the aging process
Incontinence is often caused by __ and __
UTIs and rectocele/OBGYN problems
4 outcomes of full assessment of older adults
Identify strengths/weaknesses
Develop POC that corrects problems
Maintain health
Increase quality of life
Elder adults assessment is a (4) assessment
Function, physical, social, mental
Older adult assessment needs to involve
caregivers, family, and look at the environment
4 goals of health assessment for older adults
Minimize hospitalizations
Establish diagnosis frequently overlooked
Decrease over prescribed medications
Maintain health and health practices
Key principles of health assessment (6)
Individualize Include caregivers Focus on functional ability Multidisciplinary Normal changes Lab values
Health perception/management key
remember motivation!!
Health promotion includes weight, diet, activity, fall prevention, and… (4)
maintaining relationships
regular checkups
flu shot, pneumonia shot
screenings
Important screenings
Breast cancer Colon cancer Lipid disorders osteoporosis Smoking cessation
Respiratory health assessment includes smoking cessation, daily exercise…
Immunizations, SOB, can they tolerate fluids?
Cardiovascular health assessment includes exercise, static hypertension,
Rest when tired or SOB
Wear socks to bed
Elastic stockings
Use screening tools tailored for seniors because…
Allows for early detection
Predicts service needs
Fulmer SPICES overall assessment tool for older adults
S- sleep disorders P- problems with eating I- incontinence C- confusion E- evidence of falls S- skin breakdown