Sensory Flashcards
___ is loss of bone
osteopenia
___ is loss of muscle
sarcopenia
T or F:
as adults age, they typically experience reduced bone mineral density
true
is aging of muscle and bone the same across the elderly population?
no, it is variable from individual to individual, and from region to region
which vitamin deficiency is common in the elderly, and what does it affect?
- vitamin D
- affects bone, muscle, and nerves
osteopenia is defined as ___ SD’s below normal/young bone density (DEXA scan)
1-2.5
osteoporosis is defined as greater than ___ SD’s below normal/young bone density (DEXA scan)
> 2.5
T or F:
the consensus is that age related loss of alveolar bone is dependent on edentulism and periodontal disease
false
it is independent of edentulism and periodontal disease
T or F:
osteoporosis is predictive of alveolar crest bone loss
true
sarcopenia (loss in muscle mass) results in decrease of what 3 things?
- decrease of muscle fiber size
- decrease of muscle fiber number
- decrease/loss of strength
describe sarcopenia in jaw musculature in the aging patient
- decrease in muscle fiber number
- changes in muscle fiber type
- increased contraction time and latency period
aging typically results in a decrease in which senses?
all five (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)
how does vision change with age?
-lens hardening, which results in decreased accommodation (ability to focus near to far - presbyopia), uneven refraction (problems with light and glare), and increased opacity (cataracts when advanced, difficulty with changes in lighting when earlier), and decreased color, depth, and distance perception
what can you do to accommodate the vision changes in your older patients?
- use bold, large print
- contrasting colors (black on pale yellow or light buff; not blue-green-purple together)
- provide adequate light without glare
- even lighting from one space to another
- changes in levels or flooring types well indicated
___ is loss of ability to hear high frequency sounds
presbycusis
___% of adults over 65 have presbycusis, with ___% having advanced presbycusis
- 50%
- 16%
T or F:
women have greater hearing loss than men
false
men have greater loss than women
what can you do to accommodate the auditory decline of your older patients?
- provide written copies of important information
- do not assume that a person has hearing loss simply because of age
- minimize background noise
- avoid physical barriers between you and the patient
- face the patient directly and keep eye contact
- stand as close as patient comfort/culture will allow
- use touch as appropriate to get patient attention
- speak more slowly and clearly w/o exaggerating syllables; articulate consonants
- raise level of voice but not to extreme
- lower pitch of voice
- utilize caregivers but not at the expense of the patient
ofcatory senses ___ with age and are ___ in men than women
- decrease
- greater
how does aging affect taste?
- decline in all taste acuity (threshold)
- sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami
- greater for salty and umami
how does aging affect taste perception?
- prostheses decrease taste perception
- salivary function
- sense of smell
- social isolation
how is tactile and thermal sensitivity affected by aging?
- reduced with aging
- aging of the skin
- changes in peripheral nervous system?
describe important elements of the “senior friendly” office
- communication
- physical environment - flooring, lighting, chairs, access
- culture/titles/courtesy
- background noise
- good light, low glare
- face-to-face, eye level
- appropriate touch
