Physical impacts of ageing

Question 1

Cardiovascular disease

Answer 1

getting older can increase the risk of cv disease but it can be reduced by other factors.

Question 2

Factors

Answer 2

Changes in the heart with age: heart increases size and walls thicken which makes it harder to pump blood, artery walls become narrower due to clogging of fat. Pacemaker cells decrease cause heart rhythm to change.

IMPACT- loss of independence, reduced mobility and depression BUT it can motivate a person to live a more healthy lifestyle.

Question 3

DEGENERATION OF NERVE TISSUE

Answer 3

effects of tissue degeneration causes decreased reaction time, short-term memory decline, reduction of reflexes.

Parkinson’s disease- loss of neurones in the brain affecting movement.

physical effects- tremors and loss of mobility.

cognitive- depression and anxiety.

Question 4

DEGENERATION OF SENSE OF ORGANS

Answer 4

TASTE/SMELL- taste buds/ smell receptors decrease, loose the ability to taste food which can decrease appetite. Not being able to smell makes it harder to catch out bad odours/ out of date foods.

TOUCH- reduced sensitivity to heat/cold can lead to untreated wounds.

HEARING- hearing loss, fluid in ears causing balance issues. can experience tinnitus.

SIGHT- visibility issues, cataracts.

Question 5

Activity theory- Havighurst

Answer 5

people need to continue to be involved in activities with retirement offering more time to engage with family.

Question 6

social disengagement theory- Cumming and henry

Answer 6

Older people naturally withdraw themselves from society and spend later adult hood reflecting on their life.

they also face a number of issues such as illness or distance from family and friend which makes it difficult to engage in activities.

Question 7

Dementia

Answer 7

Damage to the function of the brain, such as memory loss. It can be caused by strokes, lifestyle an age.

Alzheimer’s disease: most common cause of dementia. Mainly affects 65+. Proteins build up in the brain and cause a shortage of chemicals in the brain affecting transmission of signals.

Effects: difficulty completing tasks, impairment in thinking, language and judgement. self care issues

Question 8

strengths and weaknesses

Answer 8

S- older people do have more time to engage in activities and some do remain active while others can become isolated and disconnected from society.

W- not all older people have the financial resources to engage in activities or learn new skills. not all of them are disconnected.