Unit 2 Flashcards
Biopsychosocial processes (genetic, physiological, and psychological systems) tend to influence ______ and ______ _______ of aging.
health; social aspects
Which diseases are more prevalent in later life?
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, and stroke
The cumulative effect of certain diseases (eg. arthritis or diabetes) along with the co-occurence of chronic conditions is termed ______________.
multimorbidity
What can slow the processes of aging and increase longevity?
healthy habits concerning diet, drugs, alcohol, smoking, sex, and physical activity
In addition to slowing the processes of aging and increasing longevity, what can developing healthy habits do?
contribute to independence and help a person to adapt to age-related changes over the life course (ex. loss of muscle strength, reduced endurance, and weakened immune system)
What factors can speed up normal changes in aging/health, particularly individuals predisposed to disease states and malnutrition?
genetic and environmental factors
T/F: Aging processes are the result of a combination of individual factors, choices, and external constraints.
true
T/F: Aging involves degenerative changes in our physical and psychological systems that inevitably lead to frailty and dependence on others.
false
T/F: Disabilities and frailties are observed at any age due to genetics, injuries, diseases, environmental factors, and living habits.
true
Define disability.
a “reported” difficulty in performing the activities of daily life (ex. dressing, getting out of bed) OR in performing instrumental activities of daily life (ex. shopping, meal prep, maintaining a home)
T/F: A disability is a physical or mental condition that reduces the kind or amount of activity that can be completed.
true
Which age group reports more disabilities?
older people
T/F: Older men, more than older women, report one disability or more.
false
What does the prevalence rates of disability tell us?
the percentage of seniors with a disability measured at one point in time
What factors determine whether disabilities increase dependence or lower’s someone’s perceived quality of life
tolerance of pain, personality and self-esteem, formal/informal social support, type of environment, and whether the individual lives alone
T/F: Disabilities restrict functioning in later life.
true
T/F: The concept of frailty is well defined and well understood.
false
What is NOT an inevitable consequence of aging but rather a disease state that is susceptible to intervention and reversal in some cases?
frailty
What is frailty characterized by?
impairments across physiological systems and often entail imbalances in these systems
Muscle weakness, fatigue/diminished energy reserves, decreased physical/social activity, unintentional loss of weight, poor posture, and a slow/unsteady manner of walking is often a manifestation of _______.
frailty
Typically, how many common characteristics of frailty is required for clinicians to label someone as frail?
3 or more
Genetic traits, onset of disease, injuries that limit physical activity, poor nutrition, sedentary living, and onset of normal aging processes linked to advanced age (eg. dementia, sacropenia) are all ______ of _______.
causes; frailty
T/F: Disability and disablement processes are socially constructed.
true
T/F: Disability is a normative part of human existence.
false
__________ is a societal label that is experienced differently across the life course.
disability
T/F: Most people spend their later years in a state of dependence and thus requires drastic adaptation.
false
Past and present social and environmental factors, historical and unique life events, availability of a variety of resources, and willingness to use assistive devices all influence the process of __________.
adaptation
When does the gradual and progressive decline in structure/function of the body’s various systems begin and what is the result of this decline?
early adulthood; decrease in activity level
T/F: In general, aging cohorts have shown a shortening of life expectancy and an increase in the onset of disability.
false; there is a lengthening of life expectancy and a reduction in the onset of disability
T/F: When it comes to aging processes, there are considerable differences within and between individuals.
true
What kinds of visible changes occur as we age?
wrinkled skin, thinner hair, changes in shape/height of the body
Body weight increases up to a certain age range then often declines due to a change in metabolism, what is this age range?
50-60 years
Why is there an increase in weight as we age?
accumulation of fat and reduction in muscle tissue
Research indicates that obesity is associated with a heightened risk of several _______ _________.
chronic illnesses (eg. cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension)
T/F: The association between obesity in later life and chronic illnesses is stronger amongst those aged 65+ and weaker among middle-aged individuals.
false; the association is stronger among middle-aged individuals and weaker amongst those aged 65+
What is a likely consequence for obese adults in later life?
one or more disabilities that lower their independence and quality of life
What are healthy adaptations to changes in body composition/shape?
exercising regularly and eating properly
Changes in the structure and composition of the spine lead to __________ of _______, which is a visible sign of aging.
shortening; stature
T/F: More women than men experience structural changes, such as shortening of stature.
true
What do external visible changes that come with age influence?
how a person perceives themselves and how others perceive/interact with that person
Do internal physical changes have more of an impact on performance of physical tasks or social perceptions, attitudes, and behaviour?
performance of physical tasks
Define sacropenia.
major decrease in muscle mass and loss of muscle function
What internal physical changes occur during the aging process?
decrease in:
- muscle mass, strength, and elasticity
- water content
- bone mass and minerals
- range, flexibility, and composition of joints
increase in:
- fat cells vs muscle cells
What do many internal physical changes lead to?
decreased mobility, changing leisure activities, inability to perform household tasks in later years, and increase in incidence of accidents/falls
What delays and/or reduces the effects of physiological age-related changes?
regular physical activity
Longer response/reaction time, earlier onset of fatigue, hand tremors, and a general slowing of the autonomic nervous system are all indicators of a slowing down _______ _______ ______.
central nervous system
Age-related changes in the muscular system result in a ________ in strength and endurance.
decrease
Regarding the muscular system, what does the rate and degree of loss depend on?
frequency and intensity of physical activity
T/F: Sarcopenia is an age-related process and a major cause of disability and morbidity among older people.
true
T/F: The efficiency of the muscular system cannot be enhanced in the later years by regular physical activity.
false; it can
Changes in which system are the most visible and most significant for behaviour?
cardiovascular system
What prominent changes occur in the cardiovascular system throughout the aging process?
- decrease in maximum attainable heart rate
- decrease in maximum cardiac output and stroke volume
- increase in blood pressure
What do cardiovascular system changes lead to?
lower the system’s efficiency and hasten the onset of fatigue during physical activity
What is a practical implication of changes due to aging in the cardiovascular system?
limit the duration/type of work and leisure activities that older people can pursue
Are cardiovascular changes inevitable? If not, what can be done?
not inevitable; with regular and sufficiently intense cardiorespiratory fitness program it is possible to improve cardiovascular efficiency, lower the risk of chronic illnesses, and lower the risk of obesity
What is arteriosclerosis?
loss of elasticity in the arterial walls; restricts blood flow to muscles and organs thereby lowering endurance
What is atherosclerosis?
hardening and narrowing of the arterial walls; results in accumulation of fatty deposits that partially or completely block blood flow
Are cardiovascular diseases especially prevalent in men or women? Are they difficult or easy to prevent/treat?
men; difficult (because not fully understood)
What are the reasons for the decrease of efficiency in the respiratory system?
(1) lung elasticity decreases
(2) vital capacity decreases
(3) diffusion and absorption capacities decrease
(4) maximum voluntary ventilation and oxygen intake decreases
What is vital capacity?
the amount of air that can be forcibly exhaled after a full inspiration
What do aging-related changes in the respiratory system do to the body?
reduce efficiency of intake + inhibit the transportation of oxygen to organs and muscles
Coordination and efficiency of which two systems determine a person’s physical fitness capacity?
respiratory system and cardiovascular system
Many studies have found a ________ relationship between amount of participation in physical activity at work/play and the level of physical and mental health.
positive
T/F: Physical inactivity is common across the life course, especially among older adults
true
T/F: Studies have found that more physically fit older people score higher on tests of cognitive functioning, thereby suggesting a link between physical activity and mental performance.
true
Across the age spectrum, which demographics are less likely to be physically active?
individuals who:
- are less educated
- have lower incomes
- are rural dwellers
- do manual labour
- are women
T/F: Negative attitudes toward physical activity is a factor in low physical activity participation and these attitudes are perpetuated by myths.
true
T/F: There is no evidence that physical fitness can be improved at all ages and that is enhances physical health, mental health, and competence in later life.
false
T/F: Physical activity is becoming less socially acceptable and desirable for adults of all ages, especially among baby boomers.
false; more
What is physical literacy?
the motivation, confidence, physical competence, understanding, and knowledge that individuals develop in order to maintain physical activity at an appropriate level throughout their life
What are the two most significant changes in motor performance with age?
loss of speed in making decisions and increase in reaction time
T/F: Loss of speed in decision making gets worse if the situation is stressful.
true
What are the implications of slowing down in making decisions/reaction time?
(1) decreases capacity for physical work
(2) increases chances of mistakes and accidents (when fast reaction is required)
(3) direct effect on social behaviour
Define cautiousness
a generalized tendency to respond slowly or not at all because of the possible consequences of a mistake
T/F: Although speed and accuracy at work decline slightly with age, experience can compensate for the onset of slowness.
true
A _______ of reaction time and decision-making _______ the frequency, quality, and type of interaction with others and with the environment.
slowing; reduces
T/F: Older people are more susceptible to falls.
true
Balance is controlled in the __________, which loses __% of its cells with aging.
cerebellum; 25
What depends largely on sensory receptors that permit information to be transmitted to and received by the brain?
the ability to interact with physical environment + with other people
The _______ and ________ of information processing are reduced when age-related changes occur in the major sensory receptors and processors.
quality; quantity
T/F: Sensory impairment can contribute to depression, loss of self-esteem, social isolation, and personal and societal health-care costs.
true
Changes in the visual system affect social behaviour. What are these changes?
(1) thickening of lens + decrease in diameter of pupil (limits light entering retina)
(2) less flexibility in the lens (presbyopia, which decreases ability to focus on objects are varying distances)
(3) decrease in threshold adaptation to darkness, glare, and rapidly changing light levels
(4) yellowing of the lens that filters out green, blue, and violet at the shorter wavelength end of the spectrum (resulting in loss of colour vision)
T/F: Vision problems may account for as much as 25% of falls among older people.
true