Week 4 Flashcards
Psychomotor skills involve
physical action, done repeatedly, ex: tying shoelaces or riding a bike
- signs of decline are slow, but will present more as time goes on
Cognitive changes affect
- problem solving memory
- working memory retained
- long term (secondary) memory
- Very long term (remote) memory
- Psychomotor skills
- Speed of processing
- Verbal skills
- Reasoning
What is the encoding process?
Going from short term memory to long term memory
When does speed of processing begin to slow?
Early 50s, and cont through the lifespan
T/F: intelligence can begin to slowdown by the age of 25
TRUE! some research indicates a slowing down at age 25 and continuing through the 70s and 80s!
Fluid intelligence is
the ability to adapt to and use new information
T/F: cognitive performance can be greater in some older adults as compared to younger adults
True. Research has shown that cog performance is greater in OA compared to younger adults depending on the task
Crystallized abilities are
practical skills and knowledge of the person accumulated over a long period of time
- includes understanding how to act in social situations, understanding roles, patterns, and protocols
T/F: crystallized abilities do not remain stable over a lifespan
False
The process by which perceptual speed has been shown to decline with age is called
cognitive slowing
Reasoning and problem solving
- decline in speed/efficiency
2. occurs with information overload
Memory and attention include
Sustained attention, attentional capacity, selective/divided attention
T/F: it is possible for older adults with mild cognitive impairments to remain stable without developing dementia
True
Mild cognitive impairments have been previously known as
age-associated memory impairments
T/F: as one ages, performance in the workplace will inevitably decline
False. Current research in industrial gerontology shows little decline overall in the performance of healthy older adults in the workplace (Bonder & Bello-Haas, 2009)
Which sector in the labor market sees the most decline in older adults as they work? The least decline?
Most: Blue collar jobs/manual labor such as construction
Least: education professions
Instances where vocational performance is affected by cognitive declines:
- Decline in fluid intelligence
- Increased cautiousness
- Decreased processing speed
- Declines in secondary memory
T/F: Normal age-related changes should not affect someone who has been performing the same activities for 40-50 years
True
ADLs and IADLs can be impacted if
sequencing, memory, or planning is impaired
Can older adults learn new leisure and recreational skills?
Yes
Signs of major depression or cognitive decline/dementia can cause
older adults to give up their hobbies/occupational interests
Leisure activities that stimulate the older adult on a social, cognitive, and physical note can
help maintain cognitive functions
An example of an external memory strategy includes
using a notebook to write down thoughts, or create a to-do list
An example of an internal memory strategy includes
chunking/grouping of lists, mnemonic phrases
T/F: all forms of dementia are progressive
False, some can be treated with medication
Dementia is a clinical diagnosis with _______ implications
social
Common signs of dementia include
- Decreased short term memory
- Decreased problem-solving skills
- Decreased perceptual skills
- Personality changes
Five common types of dementia include
- Alzheimer’s disease
- vascular dementia
- dementia with Lewy Bodies
- frontotemporal dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease with dementia
The most prevalent form of dementia
Alzheimer’s disease
T/F: a head injury with a loss of consciousness is linked to Alzheimer’s
True
A person has mixed dementia when they have:
Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia
T/F: changes to white matter and lacunar infarcts, as well as hippocampal formation atrophy are indicators of cerebrovascular disease
True
People with vascular dementia demonstrate these language characteristics:
perseveration and difficulties with verbal fluency
T/F: VaD accounts for 10-30% of all dementia
True
What is a Lewy Body?
A Lewy Body is a round neurofilament inclusion body that holds damaged nerve cell deposits
Potential signs of DBL
Parkinsonism, cognitive fluctuations, visual hallucinations. Additional indicators: repeated falls, nonvisual hallucinations, delusions, and syncope.
What is the 3rd most common neurodegenerative dementia?
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
AD, and DBL are 1 and 2.
Which focal conditions are associated with FTD?
progressive aphasia, semantic aphasia, and frontal dementia with motor neuron disease
What are some early signs of FTD?
behavioral disturbances, changes in social awareness, and evident changes in personality. Additional indicators include lack of sympathy/empathy, poor heygiene, and decreased I with ADLs.
T/F: Dementia usually develops ~5 years after Parkinson’s Disease
False: Usually develops ~10 years after PD
What are some characteristics of PD with Dementia?
slowed psychomotor speed, difficulties with attention and initiation, delayed recall, decline in semantic knowledge, frontal-executive functions, memory and visualspatial functions
What are the 5 stages of dementia?
- Pre-dementia
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Terminal
T/F: Pre-dementia can be detected when the person is alive
False. Only way to know is autopsy.
How do people with mild dementia present?
They have word finding, recall, and other memory deficits, difficulties with workload, and maintaining attention and new info. They may also have impaired comprehension.
T/F: People with moderate dementia have trouble living independently.
True. They have changes in tone, reaction time, gait, etc. They may not recognize distant family members and have difficulty with impulse control and adapting to change.
What is the role of OT for dementia?
- family education
- eval strengths, impairments, performance areas needing intervention
- help with maintenance and modification
- help pts stay engaged in meaningful activities
how should assessments for dementia be conducted?
- identify occupational baseline
- gather info
- ask clear and well-directed questions
- use standardized assessment tools and observational skills
What kind of caregiver education can OTs provide?
OTs can educate caregivers about:
- the shifting roles and changes in the family dynamics
- dementia and its effects
- resources (support) and advocacy groups
- safety
- how to maintain relationships and help pt continue to engage in meaningful activity
- how to grade activities
- home modifications
T/F: “problem behaviors” are usually a result of an inability to express oneself
True. They are usually a sign of frustration, fatigue, fear, confusion, or pain.
