Topic C: physical changes of ageing Flashcards
What is cardiovascular disease?
Conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels
What can coronary heart disease lead to?
Angina, heart attacks, heart failure
Hw can coronary heat disease be treated?
Surgery, medication or lifestyle changes
What is coronary heart disease a result of?
when arteries are narrowed due to a build up of plaque and oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is reduced.
What lifestyle choices can increase chance of likelihood of cardiovascular disease?
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
What are the effects of high blood pressure?
Can lead to obesity or high cholesterol
How can CHD affect day to day life?
Reduce physical activity, low self-esteem, less social interaction
What can an individual do to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease?
Give up bad habits for example smoking, drugs or drinking
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Ensure you are physically active
What is osteoarthritis?
A joint disease which causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints leading to stiffness and pain
What are the causes of osteoarthritis?
Obesity - stress on weight-bearing joints
previous joint injuries - dispose joints to OA
Inactivity- weakened muscles and joint stiffness
genetics, age
Who are more at risk of osteoarthritis than others?
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
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
- joint pain, tenderness, swelling reduced range of motion and mobility, fatigue
PIES of osteoarthritis
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
What changes could be made to make an individuals life with OA easier?
- 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
What is deterioration of the nervous tissue?
Loss or deterioration of neurons or other components of the nervous system
What is the usual function of the nervous system?
Receive stimuli and process information so senses can function
What can cause deterioration of nervous tissue?
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
Who is deterioration of nervous tissue more common in?
- people who smoke
-high blood pressure
-diabetes
-high cholesterol
-older people
What are the 5 senses?
Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch
What are the effects of degeneration of sight and why?
- Blurry vision due to damage to the lens
- Blind spots due to change in the retina
- Loss of near vision
What are the effects of degeneration of hearing and why?
- Hearing loss due to damaged components
- Ear canal blockage due to inability to be-rid wax
What are the effects of degeneration of smell and why?
- Lost sense of smell due to damage to the olfactory epithelium
- Nose blindness due to nerve damage in olfactory
What are the effects of degeneration of taste and why?
- Taste buds stop detecting salty, sour, bitter and sweet due to nerve damage
- Reduced saliva production
What are the effects of degeneration of touch and why?
- Steady decline due to nerve endings damage
- Reduction in skin sensitivity
What is dementia and how is it caused?
An umbrella term for conditions caused by abnormal brain changes caused by damage to brain cells.
What are the impacts of dementia?
- 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
What is Alzheimer’s, how is it caused and what are the symptoms?
- 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
How can dementia affect a service users wellbeing and how can people help her adjust to the changes?
- 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.
Why is protein important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?
- 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
Why is fibre important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?
- 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
Why is calcium important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?
- 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
Why is vitamin D important in an elderly person’s diet and what foods should be eaten?
- 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
PIES of ageing illnesses?
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
What are the physical and psychological effects of depression?
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.
