Older People Flashcards
Define ‘healthy aging’
the process of developing + maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age
Aging population facts:
(3 points)
- Most people now expected to live beyond 60
- Increased life expectancy due to decreased mortality rates in younger age groups
- Majority of health conditions experiences by older people are due to non-communicable diseases
Physiological changes assoc w aging:
(6 marks)
1 - sensory impairment
2 - gastric secretion impairment
3 - reduced appetite
4 - dental problems
5 - limited mobility
6 - limited ability to care for oneself
Psychosocial & environmental changes assoc w aging:
(4 marks)
1 - isolation
2 - loneliness
3 - depression
4 - financial strain (impacts diet)
Aging population facts to consider
- Most people now expected to live beyond 60
- Increased life expectancy due to decreased mortality rates in younger age groups
- Majority of health conditions experiences by older people are due to non-communicable diseases
Why is oral health important?
(8 points)
1) Good oral health is important for well-being
2) People living long, keeping their dentition & needing more complex tx
3) Mouth is a mirror of health & disease (systemic diseases, bacterial & viral infections & nutritional deficiencies)
4) Being free of pain & discomfort
5) Ability to function (chew, eat) impacts nutrient
6) Ability to socialise impacts self esteem & mental health
7) Increased risk of infections (dental abscess, candidiasis, pneumonia)
8) Fragility, disability & dementia makes access to healthcare difficult, increasing risk of poor general & oral health
Underlying principles of long-term care for older people:
Long-term care should be…
1. …accessible + affordable
2. …provided to enhance older people’s dignity
3. …person-centered & focus on needs of older person rather than the structure
- regulation of these structures are important (CQC)
- building workforce capacity & supporting of carers
Describe the oral health of older people:
- reduced manual dexterity
- can’t report previous pain
- forget to brush / might not like having teeth brushed
esp common in dementia / Alzheimer’s pts
Therefore older people have:
- high levels of dental caries, periodontal disease & tooth loss
- mouth cancer
- candida infections
- dry mouth
Challenges in seeing the community dentist for the elderly:
(4 marks)
- longer appointments
- access (wheelchair access or hoist)
- compliance / unable to tolerate dental tx
- unable to give consent
Ambition of OH for vulnerable people
PHE commissioning better OH for vulnerable people (2018) aims to ensure pts:
- live well
- prevent well
- support well
- die well
What can be done by staff to make a change in care homes?
NICE Guidance 2017 ‘Oral Health in Care Homes’:
- identify an ORAL HEALTH CHAMPION w/in care home
- carry out BASEINE ASSESSMENT against recommendations to detect gaps in current service
- think about WHAT DATA needs to be captured to measure improvement & how to collect it
- implement an ACTION PLAN (group project w oversight from the lead)
- REVIEW & MONITOR how well guidance is being implemented w group & share results to relevant boards/local partners
How to conduct staff training to provide daily personal care to residents in care homes?
(6 points)
NICE Guidance 2017 ‘Oral Health in Care Homes’:
Ensure staff…
…understand the importance of oral health & potential affects on their general health
…understand the impact of untreated dental pain & mouth infection on the behaviour, general health & wellbeing of people who cannot articulate their pan or distress
…know how & when to reassess oral health
…know how to deliver daily mouth care
…know how & when to report any oral health concerns for residents
…understand the importance of denture maintenance
RECOMMENDATION #1
NICE Guidance 2017 ‘Oral Health in Care Homes’
1
Adults who move into care home should have their MOUTH NEEDS ASSESSED on admission (i.e. oral health assessment)
Rational:
1.1) self-care may deteriorate before a person moves into a care home (so may be admitted w/ poor oral health)
1.2) mouth care can be missed if not specifically assessed
1.3) allows tailored care to start straight away (nurse led assessment)
RECOMMENDATION #2
NICE Guidance 2017 ‘Oral Health in Care Homes’
2
Adults living in care homes have their MOUTH CARE NEEDS RECORDED in their PERSONAL CARE PLAN
Rational:
2.1) makes sure action is taken to meet the person’s needs
2.2) mouth care needs are regularly reviewed
2.3) referral to local NHS dental services (collab w/ local dental services)
RECOMMENDATION #3
NICE Guidance 2017 ‘Oral Health in Care Homes’
3
Adults living in care homes are SUPPORTED in MAINTAIN THEIR ORAL HEALTH
Rational:
Adults w/…
3.1) …natural teeth should brush w fluoride toothpaste 2x day
3.2) …full dentures should carry out daily care + remove dentures overnight
3.3) …natural + partial dentures should carry out daily care to both
(collab w nurses / HCAs)
