Physical Challenges of Old Age Flashcards
Is Degenerative Aging universal in all forms?
No; it is not universal in all life forms.
-example: trees grow perpetually (do not die from “old age” they die from being killed)
How long is the human lifespan?
100 years
Telomeres
Caps on the end of chromosomes (telomeres fray with each cell division)
Telomerase
Enzyme maintains telomeres (fraying of chromosomes, disrupts cell functioning~production of proteins)
The Aging Process consists of what 3 last steps?
1) Chronic Disease
2) Disability
3) Death
Osteoporosis (Chronic Disease)
Bone loss
Atherosclerosis (Chronic Disease)
Heart Disease
Instrumental ADL
trouble performing tasks to live independently
Basic ADL
incapable of performing self-care activities
When does the Social Economic Status health gap become visible?
It becomes visible in middle age
The poverty-illness relationship is?
It is bidirectional
Affluent people live…?
Affluent people live longer and enjoy better health.
When systematic disadvantage occurs, it limits what?
Systematic disadvantage LIMITS personal choice**
ex. the cost of eating healthy
Typical Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)
30s-60s: Normal aging
60s-70s: Chronic diseases
80s:Need help w/ ADLS
90s: Death
If Poor Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)
30s: Normal aging
40s-50s: Chronic diseases
50s-mid 60s: Need help w/ ADLS
late 60s-90s: Death
If Male Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)
30s-60s: Normal aging
60s-late 70s: Chronic diseases
late 70s- early 80s: Need help w/ ADLS
early 80s-90s: Death
If Female Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)
30s-60s: Normal Aging
60s-late 70s: Chronic diseases
late 70s- early 80s: Need help w/ ADLS
mid 80s-90s: Death
What could be defined as “successful aging”?
Living fully in the face of chronic disease;
finding meaning &Generavitity in daily life regardless of how the body behaves (self-efficacy).
-Adjusting to Chronic Disease
-Having support to function
What are some interventions for “Older Eyes”?
- use strong indirect lighting
- avoid florescent lighting-especially on bare floors (produces glare)
- use adjustable lighting + larger numerals
- low vision aids such as maginfiers
- cataract
What are some interventions for hearing loss?
- avoid high noise environments
- carpeting in house
- replace noisy appliances
- face to face when talking to a person and speak loudly
- Avoid elderspeak
What is key to prevent hearing loss?
AVOIDING EXCESSIVE NOISE; rates of age-associated hearing problems have doubled since the 70s!
How do motor abilities change in later life? (2)
-decline in reaction time to sensory input
-changes in skeletal structures
-
What are some ways the skeletal structure can change?
- Osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
wearing away of joint cartiliage
Osteoporosis
bones become brittle, porous, and fragile.
women are susceptible, hip fractures common problem due to skeletal changes
Dementia
any illness that produces serious, progressive, usually irreversible cognitive decline
From the time of diagnoses to death how many years does a Dementia patient have?
4 to 8 years
What is the number one risk factor for Dementia?
Old-old age (however it can be linked gentically; APOE-4)
What are the 2 types of Dementia?
1) Vascular dementia
2) Alzheimer’s
Vascular Dementia
Multiple small strokes; impaired vascular system, blood flow to the brain.
Alheimer’s
nueral atrophy and it byproducts (senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles); attacks the core structure of human consciousness. first show up in hippocampus, then entire cortex.
What are some measures to prevent Alheimer’s disease?
-efforts to dissolve plaques in the brain of those who already have Alzheimer’s has been unsuccessful
Why is Early detection key kin preventing Alzheimer’s disease?
Able to target amyloid (fatty substance in plaques) to halt neural decay early.
Does Alzheimer’s have a known cure?
No cure; and no proven effective treatment, but reccomendations- physical and mental exercise.
What are 2 goals during the illness Dementia?
1) Protect + keep them functioning as long as possible
2) Provide caring + loving support
What potential interventions can help with Alzheimer symptoms?
- medications
- use external aids like note cards to jog memory
- focus on safety
- nursing home w/ Alzheimer’s unit
