Nathalie Guillen - Diseases
A condition in which the walls of blood vessels become thick and lose their elasticity, is common in elderly individuals.
Arteriosclerosis
can be defined as the values, beliefs, ideas, customs, and characteristics that are passed from one generation to the next. It can affect language, food habits, dress, work, leisure activities, and health care. It creates differences in individuals
Culture
The term used when confusion or disorientation is a temporary condition caused by a treatable condition. Stress and/or depression caused by physical/psychological changes is one possible cause
Delirium
self-governance or the ability to decide for oneself by making choices and pursuing a course of action, can be frustrating and upsetting
Autonomy
blood clot, moderate exercise, according to the individual's ability to tolerate it, does stimulate circulation and helps prevent the formation of this
Thrombus
A condition where the vessels become narrow because of deposits of fat and minerals, such as calcium
Atherosclerosis
Care provided to older individuals
Geriatric Care
Also called brain syndrome, is a loss of mental ability characterized by a decrease in intellectual ability, loss of memory, impaired judgment, personality change, and disorientation.
Dementia
Usually defined as any condition that interferes with the normal function of the body. Common examples in the elderly include diabetes, heart disease, COPD, arthritis, and osteoporosis
Disease
Needs that are another important aspect of care. This can be defined as the beliefs and practices of an individual. Like culture, these beliefs can affect the lifestyle of an individual like diet, days of worship, practices relating to death and birth, etc.
Spiritual
Conditions like arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis can cause this, also known as ministrokes, which result in temporary periods of diminished blood flow to the brain. Each time an attack occurs, more damage to brain cells results
Transient ischemic attacks
The scientific study of aging and the problems of the old, through the study of the aging process, many facts on aging has been established
Gerontology
Defined as a physical or mental defect or handicap that interferes with normal functions. Hearing impairments, visual defects, or the inability to walk caused by a fractured hip are examples. Diseases sometimes cause the permanence of this (like a stroke to paralysis
Disability
The inability to control urination, occurs when there is loss of muscle tone. May also be the result from treatment for prostatic hypertrophy or for prostate cancer
Incontinence
Urination at night, is common and disrupts sleep pattern
Nocturia
Elderly individuals are prone to the development of this, where the normally transparent lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque. Proper eye care, prescription glasses/lenses, medical treatment, and proper lighting can all improve vision
Cataracts
Consists of activities that help promote awareness of person, time, and place. The activities can be followed by anyone caring for the confused individual, whether the care is in the home or in a long-term care facility
Reality orientation
A stroke, damages brain cells, can sometimes result in chronic confusion or disorientation
Cerebrovascular accident
A condition in which calcium and other minerals are lost from the bones, causes the bones to become brittle and more likely to fracture or break
Osteoporosis
False beliefs, which still exist regarding aging and elderly individuals; example: "Anyone over a certain age, such as 65, is “old "".
Myths
A form of dementia that causes progressive changes in brain cells. Individuals with AD lack a neurotransmitter, or chemical, that allows messages to pass between nerve cells in the brain. This results in the death of neurons and the development of amyloid plaques (deposits of protein) and neurofibrillary tangles. The cause is unknown, also viewed as terminal.
Alzheimer's disease
A specially trained individual who works with the elderly and their families, health care providers, and other concerned individuals to improve quality of care and quality of life. May investigate to try to resolve complaints, suggest improvements for health care, monitor and enforce state and/or federal regulations, report problems, and provide educations for individual involved in the care of the elderly
Ombudsman
An inflammation of the joints, causes the joints to become stiff, less flexible, and painful. The rib cage becomes more rigid, and the bones in the vertebral column press closer together (compress)
Arthritis
dark yellow or brown colored spots when the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and fragile, usually occur from UV radiation. Although these are frequently called “liver spots” they are not related to the liver
Senile lentigines
Chronic condition in which the bronchioles become inflamed, decrease the efficiency and function of the respiratory system even more severely
Bronchitis