Sensory

Question 1

___ is loss of bone

Answer 1

osteopenia

Question 2

___ is loss of muscle

Answer 2

sarcopenia

Question 3

T or F:

as adults age, they typically experience reduced bone mineral density

Answer 3

true

Question 4

is aging of muscle and bone the same across the elderly population?

Answer 4

no, it is variable from individual to individual, and from region to region

Question 5

which vitamin deficiency is common in the elderly, and what does it affect?

Answer 5

• vitamin D

- affects bone, muscle, and nerves

Question 6

osteopenia is defined as ___ SD’s below normal/young bone density (DEXA scan)

Answer 6

1-2.5

Question 7

osteoporosis is defined as greater than ___ SD’s below normal/young bone density (DEXA scan)

Answer 7

> 2.5

Question 8

T or F:

the consensus is that age related loss of alveolar bone is dependent on edentulism and periodontal disease

Answer 8

false

it is independent of edentulism and periodontal disease

Question 9

T or F:

osteoporosis is predictive of alveolar crest bone loss

Answer 9

true

Question 10

sarcopenia (loss in muscle mass) results in decrease of what 3 things?

Answer 10

• decrease of muscle fiber size
• decrease of muscle fiber number
• decrease/loss of strength

Question 11

describe sarcopenia in jaw musculature in the aging patient

Answer 11

• decrease in muscle fiber number
• changes in muscle fiber type
• increased contraction time and latency period

Question 12

aging typically results in a decrease in which senses?

Answer 12

all five (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)

Question 13

how does vision change with age?

Answer 13

-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

Question 14

what can you do to accommodate the vision changes in your older patients?

Answer 14

• 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

Question 15

___ is loss of ability to hear high frequency sounds

Answer 15

presbycusis

Question 16

___% of adults over 65 have presbycusis, with ___% having advanced presbycusis

Answer 16

• 50%

- 16%

Question 17

T or F:

women have greater hearing loss than men

Answer 17

false

men have greater loss than women

Question 18

what can you do to accommodate the auditory decline of your older patients?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

ofcatory senses ___ with age and are ___ in men than women

Answer 19

• decrease

- greater

Question 20

how does aging affect taste?

Answer 20

• decline in all taste acuity (threshold)
• sweet, sour, salty, bitter, umami
• greater for salty and umami

Question 21

how does aging affect taste perception?

Answer 21

• prostheses decrease taste perception
• salivary function
• sense of smell
• social isolation

Question 22

how is tactile and thermal sensitivity affected by aging?

Answer 22

• reduced with aging
• aging of the skin
• changes in peripheral nervous system?

Question 23

describe important elements of the “senior friendly” office

Answer 23

• communication
• physical environment - flooring, lighting, chairs, access
• culture/titles/courtesy
• background noise
• good light, low glare
• face-to-face, eye level
• appropriate touch