Older Adults Flashcards
Subgroups of late adulthood:
Young old – 65 to 74 years
Middle old – 75 to 84 years
Old old – 85 to 99 years
Elite old – 100 years +
ageism:
which is discrimination against people because of increasing age.
Older adult Stereotypes:
Ill, disabled, and unattractive
Forgetful, confused, rigid, boring, and unfriendly
Unable to learn and understand new information
Not interested in sex or sexual activities
Stochastic theory:
view aging as the result of random cellular damage that occurs over time
Nonstochastic theory:
view aging as the result of genetically programmed physiological mechanisms within the body that control the process of aging
Disengagement theory:
states that aging individuals withdraw from customary roles and engage in more introspective, self focused activities
Activity theory:
considers the continuation of activities performed during middle age as necessary for successful aging
Continuity or developmental theory:
personality remains stable and behavior becomes more predictable as people age
Gerotranscendence:
older adult experiences a shift in perspective with age
Biological theories:
- Stochastic or nonstochastic
- Wear-and-Tear
Psychosocial theories:
- Disengagement
- Activity
- Continuity or developmental
- Gerotranscendence
Older Adult Interview Techniques:
- Sit or stand at eye level, in front of the patient in full view
- Face them while speaking, do not cover mouth, speak clearly
- Provide diffuse, bright, nonglare lighting
- Encourage use of familiar assistive devices such as glasses or magnifiers
Health Issues:
Decreased nutrition & hydration Decreased mobility Stress & loss Accidents Drug use & misuse Mental health/ cognition problems (including substance abuse) Elder neglect & abuse
Some mental changes are often
drug related, caused by drug toxicity or adverse drug events.
Functional Changes are usually linked to
illness or to disease and degree of chronicity.
What are your best resources for a comprehensive assessment?
Occupational and physical therapists
Delirium definition:
Acute confusional state
-Hyperactive, hypoactive, mixed hypoactive
Dementia:
Generalized impairment of intellectual functioning
Depression:
A mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness and despair
Causes of delirium:
Drug therapy Infections Fecal impaction/ diarrhea
Electrolyte imbalance Surgery Metabolic problems
Neurologic Circulatory, renal, pulmonary Nutritional
Hypoxemia relocation major loss
Assessment tools for Delirium:
Confusion Assessment Method
Psychosocial Changes:
Retirement Social isolation Sexuality Housing and environment Death
Health Promotion Preventive Measures:
Participation in screening activities Regular exercise Weight reduction, if overweight Eating a low-fat, well-balanced diet Moderate alcohol use Regular dental visits Smoking cessation Immunizations
Therapeutic communication:
skills that enable you to perceive and respect the older adult’s uniqueness and health care expectations
Touch:
therapeutic tool to help comfort older adults
Reality orientation:
makes an older adult more aware of time, place, and sense of reality
Validation therapy:
alternative approach to communication with a confused older adult
Reminiscence:
recalling the past, enjoy sharing past experiences
Body image interventions:
- influences body image and feelings of isolation
- help with grooming and hygiene
- Control ordors
- wrinkled hand= lifetime of hard work
Acute care settings pose risks for adverse events:
Delirium Dehydration Malnutrition Health care–associated infections Urinary incontinence Falls Restraints
Types of ongoing care:
Continues recovery from acute illness
Addresses chronic conditions that affect daily functioning
Goal for older adults and restorative care:
To regain or improve prior level of independence, ADLs, instrumental ADLs (IADLs)
Common changes for Integument:
- Loss of skin elasticity
- Loss of fat loss in extremities
- Pigmentation changes
- Glandular atrophy
- thinning hair
- slower nail growth
Respiratory:
- decreased cough reflex
- decreased cilia
- increased chest diameter
- increased chest wall rigidity
- increase airway resistance
- increase risk of respiratory infections
Cardiovascular:
Thickening of blood vessel walls, narrowing vessel lumen
- lower cardiac output
- increased systolic pressure
Gastrointestinal:
Periodontal disease decreased saliva gastric secretions increased stomach pH Impaired rectal sensation decreased motility
Musculoskeletal:
decreased muscle mass and strength
decalcification of bones
degenerative joint changes
dehydration of invertebrate disks
Neurological:
degeneration of nerve cells
decrease in neurotransmitters
decrease in rate of conduction of impulses
Sensory eyes:
decreased near/far vision difficulty adjusting to changes from light to dark Yellowing of the lens Altered color perception Increased sensitivity to glare Smaller pupils
Ears:
loss of acuity for high frequency tones
buildup of ear wax
Taste:
often diminished or fewer taste buds
Smell:
often diminished
Proprioception:
decreased awareness of body positioning in space
Genitourinary:
fewer nephrons 50% decrease in renal flow by age 80 decreased bladder capacity male- enlarged prostate female - reduced sphincter tone
Reproductive:
male- sperm count diminishes, smaller testes, erections less firm and slow to develop
female- decreased estrogen, degeneration of ovaries, atrophy of vagina, uterus, breasts
Endocrine:
General: alterations in hormone production with decreased ability to respond to stress
Thyroid: decreased secretions
Cortisol: increased antiinflammatory hormone
Pancreas: increased fibrosis, decreased secretion of enzymes and hormones
Immune system:
thymus involution
T-cell function decreases
