Older Adults Misconceptions (Final)

Question 1

Myths and Stereotypes of Older Adults

Answer 1

-False perceptions about their physical and psychosocial characteristics and lifesyles

-Ill, disabled, unattractive

-Forgetful, confused, boring, unfriendly, poor

-Unable to learn and understand new information

-Not interested in sex or sexual activities

Question 2

Agesim

Answer 2

Prejudicance for the discremation of the grounds of someones age

Question 3

Changes in Older adults

Answer 3

Physiological
Functional
Cognitive
Psychosocial

Question 4

Physiological Changes: General Survary

Answer 4

-With older adults, perception of well-being defines their quality of life

General Survey (PP S)

Question 5

Normal Physiological Changes: Neurological System

Answer 5

-Degeneration of nerve cells

-Decrease neurotransmittes

-Decrease in rate of impulse conduction

-Voluntary reflexes are slower

-Less ability to respond to multiple stimuli

-Alterations in the quality and quality of sleep

Question 6

Normal Physiological Changes: Facial Features

Answer 6

Loss of subcut fat and skin elasticity

Question 7

Normal Phsyiological Changes: Vision

Answer 7

-Acuity declines

-Accommodation to near/far declines (Presbyopia)

-Difficulty adjusting to light changes

-Yellowing of lens

-Altered color perception: Hard to recognize green and blue

-Increased sensitivity to glare

-Smaller pupils and react slower

Question 8

Normal Physiological Changes: Hearing

Answer 8

-Changes are subtle

-Ignored that changes until family or friend mention it

-Presbycusis (affects ability to hear high pitches. More common in men)

Question 9

Normal Physiological Changes: Taste and Smell

Answer 9

-Salivary secretion is reduced

-taste buds atrophy and lose sensitivity

-Often difficult to recognize between salt, sweet, bitter, and sour

• Health conditions and medications can alter taste

-Nutrition is a challenge due to loss of smell and taste

Question 10

Normal Physiological Changes: Heart and Vascular System

Answer 10

-Decreased contractile strength of the myocardium

-Slight enlargement of heart

-Stiffening of heart wall

-HR changes (lower)

-BP is sometimes abnormally high

-HTN common (NOT PART OF AGING)

-heart valves thicken and become stiffer

-Less perfusion in lower extremities

Question 11

Normal Physiological Changes: Lungs

Answer 11

-Respiratory muscle strength and lung expansion decreases-cough is less deep

-More susceptible to pneumonia or other infection

-Anteroposterior diameter of thorax increase

-Decrease # of alveoli and cilia

Question 12

Normal Physiological Changes: Thorax

Answer 12

-Vertebral changes from osteoporosis - kyphosis

-Calcification of costal cartilage causes decrease mobility of ribs

-Chest wall stiffens - less recoil

Question 13

Normal Physiological Changes: Urinary System

Answer 13

-Hypertrophy of prostate gland -> urinary retention, frequency, incontinence, and UTI’s

-Decrease bladder capacity

-Urinary incontinence: Women stress intonctinecne.

Question 13

Normal Physiological Changes: GI system and Abdomen

Answer 13

-Increased amount of faty tissue in trunk and abdomen

-Abd more protuberant

-Slowing of peristalsis

-Decreased production of salvia and digestive enzymes

-Delayed gastric emptying

Question 14

Physiological Changes: Integrument System

Answer 14

SKIN
Decreased skin turgor, subcut, and connective tissue

Loses resilience and moisture

Epithelial layer thins

Elastic collagen fibers shrink and become rigid

Wrinkles reflect lifelong facial expression

LESIONS
-Spots and lesions often present

-Age spots or senile lentigo

-Seborrheic lesions or kertoses

-Premalignagnt or malignagnt lesions

Question 15

Normal Physiological Changes: MSK

Answer 15

Muscle Strength: Diminishes in proportion to the decline in muscle mass. Those who exercise do not lose as much bone or muscle mass

Osteoporosis: Always poses a public health threat. Postmenopausal women > men

Women who intake calcium lessen bone demineralization

Older men with poor nutrition and decreased mobility are at risk

Question 16

Normal Physiological Changes: Reproductive System

Answer 16

Hormonal alteration cause changes in function and structure

Question 17

Reproductive System: Women Changes

Answer 17

Reduced estrogen and progesterone

Dryness of vaginal mucosa, irritation, and pain with intercourse, decrease drive

Question 18

Reproductive Changes: Men

Answer 18

-Erection less firm and less forceful ejaculation

-Testosterone lessens-leads to decrease drive

-No definite cessation of fertility

Question 19

Normal Physiological Changes: Breast

Answer 19

Estrogen Production diminshes

Breast tissues becomes firmer

Decreased muscle mass, tone, and elasticity

Gynecomastia

Both men and woman are at risk for breast cancer

Question 20

Normal Physiological Changes: Immune System

Answer 20

-Becomes slower to respond and to heal

-Reduced production of B and T lymphocyte cells

-Decreased core body temperature

Question 21

Functional Changes

Answer 21

Functional status in older adults refers to capacity and safe performance of ADL’s and IADL’s

Performance of ADL’s is sensitive indicator of health or illness

PT and OT best resource for comprehensive assessment

Changes in older adults function often signals a problem

Question 22

Cognitive Changes: Misconception

Answer 22

-Confusion

-Forgetfulness

-Loss of language skills or ability to calculate

-Poor judgment

THESE ARE NOT NORMAL AND REQUIRE FURTHER ASSESSMENT

Question 23

Psychosocial Changes

Answer 23

-Retirement
-Social Isolation
-Sexuality
-Housing and Environment