Chapter 09: Geriatric Care
Alzheimer’s disease
A progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is the most common cause of dementia.
Arteriosclerosis
A general term for the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries, occurring typically in old age.
Arthritis
Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness that often worsens with age.
Atherosclerosis
A specific type of arteriosclerosis where the hardening is caused by a buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances (plaque) in and on the artery walls.
Autonomy:
The right or condition of self-government; in healthcare, it means allowing a patient to make their own decisions about their care.
Bronchitis:
Inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs, often causing a persistent cough.
Cataracts
A clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye, which leads to a decrease in vision, often described as looking through a frosty window.
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
The medical term for a stroke. It happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is stopped either by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel.
Culture
The customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group.
Delirium
A sudden, often temporary state of mental confusion and emotional disruption, often caused by illness, infection, or medication changes.
Dementia
A general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life; it is not a specific disease but a group of symptoms.
Disability
A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities.
Disease
A particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of part or all of an organism, usually associated with specific signs and symptoms.
Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing foods or liquids, arising from the throat or esophagus.
Emphysema
A lung condition that causes shortness of breath due to the damage of air sacs in the lungs (alveoli).
Geriatric care
The medical care and support specifically tailored to the unique health needs of elderly people.
Gerontology
The scientific study of old age, the process of aging, and the particular problems of old people.
Glaucoma
A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often caused by abnormally high pressure in the eye, which can lead to blindness.
Incontinence
The lack of voluntary control over urination (urinary incontinence) or defecation (bowel incontinence).
Myths
Widely held but false beliefs or ideas; in healthcare, this often refers to misconceptions about aging (e.g., "all old people are senile").
Nocturia
The complaint that the individual has to wake at night one or more times for urination.
Ombudsman
An official appointed to investigate individuals’ complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities. In nursing homes, they advocate for residents' rights.
Osteoporosis
A condition in which bones become weak and brittle, making them fragile and more likely to break.
Reality orientation:
A technique used to help people with memory loss or confusion understand their surroundings