Topic C: physical changes of ageing

Question 1

What is cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

Conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels

Question 2

What can coronary heart disease lead to?

Answer 2

Angina, heart attacks, heart failure

Question 3

Hw can coronary heat disease be treated?

Answer 3

Surgery, medication or lifestyle changes

Question 4

What is coronary heart disease a result of?

Answer 4

when arteries are narrowed due to a build up of plaque and oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is reduced.

Question 5

What lifestyle choices can increase chance of likelihood of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 5

High blood pressure due to damage to arteries
High cholesterol - fatty deposits build up and narrowed arteries
Unhealthy diet - lead to obesity due tohigh saturated fats or sugars, processed foods

Question 6

What are the effects of high blood pressure?

Answer 6

Can lead to obesity or high cholesterol

Question 7

How can CHD affect day to day life?

Answer 7

Reduce physical activity, low self-esteem, less social interaction

Question 8

What can an individual do to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease?

Answer 8

Give up bad habits for example smoking, drugs or drinking
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Ensure you are physically active

Question 9

What is osteoarthritis?

Answer 9

A joint disease which causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to stiffness and pain

Question 10

What are the causes of osteoarthritis?

Answer 10

Obesity - stress on weight-bearing joints
previous joint injuries - dispose joints to OA
Inactivity- weakened muscles and joint stiffness
genetics, age

Question 11

Who are more at risk of osteoarthritis than others?

Answer 11

Women - more likely
Age - older people due to effects of joint use and wear
Obese people - repetitive stress or movements causing damage to joints
Hereditary- more at risk if inherited disorder

Question 12

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Answer 12

• joint pain, tenderness, swelling reduced range of motion and mobility, fatigue

Question 13

PIES of osteoarthritis

Answer 13

P- reduced mobility e.g. walking, stairs, bending and increased risk of falls and accidents due to loss of balance
I- impact on work due to limited performance so less cognitive stimulation and disrupted sleep due to chronic pain and less concentration
E- decreased self-esteem due to difficulty to do tasks so negative perception and impact on relationships due to need of support
S- dependency on others for assistance and social withdrawal due to pain and mobility e.g. family gatherings

Question 14

What changes could be made to make an individuals life with OA easier?

Answer 14

• medication or physical therapy to ease pain + movement
• eating healthy to maintain healthy weight so OA doesn’t worsen
• social support - engaging with others who are experiencing OA
• home modification such as canes, walkers and non-slip mats etc.
• stretching - help maintain joint flexibility

Question 15

What is deterioration of the nervous tissue?

Answer 15

Loss or deterioration of neurons or other components of the nervous system

Question 16

What is the usual function of the nervous system?

Answer 16

Receive stimuli and process information so senses can function

Question 17

What can cause deterioration of nervous tissue?

Answer 17

Reduced blood flow to the brain - occurs with ageing process
Age - impulses slow down and function so self-repairing cells are slower causing increased vulnerability to disease

Question 18

Who is deterioration of nervous tissue more common in?

Answer 18

• people who smoke
  -high blood pressure
  -diabetes
  -high cholesterol
  -older people

Question 19

What are the 5 senses?

Answer 19

Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch

Question 20

What are the effects of degeneration of sight and why?

Answer 20

• Blurry vision due to damage to the lens
• Blind spots due to change in the retina
• Loss of near vision

Question 21

What are the effects of degeneration of hearing and why?

Answer 21

• Hearing loss due to damaged components
• Ear canal blockage due to inability to be-rid wax

Question 22

What are the effects of degeneration of smell and why?

Answer 22

• Lost sense of smell due to damage to the olfactory epithelium
• Nose blindness due to nerve damage in olfactory

Question 23

What are the effects of degeneration of taste and why?

Answer 23

• Taste buds stop detecting salty, sour, bitter and sweet due to nerve damage
• Reduced saliva production

Question 24

What are the effects of degeneration of touch and why?

Answer 24

• Steady decline due to nerve endings damage
• Reduction in skin sensitivity

Question 25

What is dementia and how is it caused?

Answer 25

An umbrella term for conditions caused by abnormal brain changes caused by damage to brain cells.

Question 26

What are the impacts of dementia?

Answer 26

• Decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to impair daily life and independent function
• Interferes with the brains cells to communicate with each other
• Normal thinking, behavior, communication and feelings

Question 27

What is Alzheimer’s, how is it caused and what are the symptoms?

Answer 27

• a progressive degenerative brain disorder
• symptoms consist of memory loss, cognitive decline, language problems and confusion
• caused by family history, genetics, age 65+, lifestyle factors, amyloid plaque

Question 28

How can dementia affect a service users wellbeing and how can people help her adjust to the changes?

Answer 28

• Motor skills such as walking could be limited and co-ordination such as balance decreases which could make them more susceptible to falls.
• Encourage more physical activity to maintain physical health, introducing routines so they are constant and repetitive to restrict forgetfulness and offer support to make them less lonely and safer.

Question 29

Why is protein important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?

Answer 29

• Protein maintains mass and strength and repairs and grows cells making them less susceptible to illnesses, disease and falls and accidents.
• Fish, lean meats, dairy, beans and nuts

Question 30

Why is fibre important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?

Answer 30

• Fibre promotes healthy digestion, hydration and the prevention of LDL cholesterol which means reduced risk of chronic diseases, cancer prevention and well balanced, hydrated diet
• fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and a high water intake

Question 31

Why is calcium important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?

Answer 31

• Calcium maintains bone density, muscle, blood pressure regulation and hormone balance which means less risk of mobility issues, brittle bones, muscle pain or accidents
• Dairy, fish, leafy greens, seeds and nuts

Question 32

Why is vitamin D important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?

Answer 32

• Vitamin D promotes bone health, calcium absorption, function of muscles and strength, cardiovascular health and cognitive function meaning prevention of disease and fractures
• Sunlight, fatty fish such as salmon, egg yolks, beef liver and dairy

Question 33

PIES of ageing illnesses?

Answer 33

P- Decreased mass and strength, joint stiffness and lower bone density
I- Memory changes, difficulty communicating, reduction in language and stimulation and cognitive decline
E- Increased wisdom and perspective due to life opportunities, life satisfaction, anxiety about the future and mental disorders
S- Loss of mobility so inability to socialise , loss of family or friends, living alone so loneliness, grief, making friendships in communities, support from family and charities

Question 34

What are the physical and psychological effects of depression?

Answer 34

Physical - no energy (fatigue), sleep disruption, loss of self worth and self care, apatite changes and weight changes, cognitive impairments
Psychological - persistent feeling of sadness, low self image, negative outlook on life, suicidal thoughts, irritability and anger.