Ch. 09 Geriatric Care - Key Terms
A progressive and irreversible brain disorder characterized by the gradual degradation of memory, reasoning, and thinking skills.
Alzheimer's disease
An inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are the airways that carry air to the lungs.
Bronchitis
A broad category of brain diseases that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember.
Dementia
Medical and nursing care focused on the unique needs and health problems of older adults.
Geriatric care
A condition where an individual feels the need to wake up one or more times during the night to urinate.
Nocturia
A general term describing the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in the walls of the arteries.
Arteriosclerosis
Often called a stroke, this occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, causing brain cells to die.
Cerebrovascular accident:
A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or ability to perform daily activities.
Disability
The scientific and multi-disciplinary study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.
Gerontology
An official or advocate appointed to investigate complaints and protect the rights of individuals in long-term care facilities.
Ombudsman
The painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints.
Arthritis
A medical condition where the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque or cloudy, resulting in blurred vision.
Cataracts
A specific disorder of structure or function in a human that produces specific signs or symptoms.
Disease
A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye.
Glaucoma
A disease characterized by a decrease in bone density, making the bones porous, brittle, and easy to fracture.
Osteoporosis
A specific form of arteriosclerosis caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances as plaque on the artery walls.
Atherosclerosis
The collective beliefs, values, customs, and behaviors shared by a group of people that influence their perspective on health and aging.
Culture
Difficulty or discomfort when swallowing, which can lead to coughing or choking.
Dysphagia
The involuntary loss or inability to control the discharge of urine or feces.
Incontinence
A technique used to help confused or disoriented individuals regain awareness of person, place, and time.
Reality orientation
The right of an individual to exercise self-determination and make their own choices regarding their medical care and personal life.
Autonomy
A sudden and fluctuating state of mental confusion and emotional disruption, usually caused by an underlying physical illness or medication.
Delirium
A chronic lung condition where the air sacs in the lungs are damaged and enlarged, leading to breathlessness.
Emphysema
Commonly held but false beliefs or stereotypes, often regarding the physical and mental capabilities of older people.
Myths
Flat, brown or black spots on the skin caused by sun exposure, commonly known as age spots or liver spots.
Senile lentigines