History
The US government defines the geriatric population as?
Over 65 years old
As people age, they often need these to help read small print or see objects up close
Reading glasses
This term refers to the potential adverse effects or negative interactions that can occur when an elderly patient takes multiple medications concurrently.
Polypharmacy
This common sleep disorder among the elderly involves difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and is often treated with behavioral strategies or medication.
Insomnia
True or False? 4 in 5 older adults will battle at least one chronic condition or illness such as heart disorders, arthritis, or osteoporosis.
True!
True or False: 17% of Americans are geriatric
True!
These age related changes in the sensory system lead to decreased appetite and enjoyment of food.
Loss of taste buds and less saliva--> decreased sense of taste. Decreased mucous production in nose and loss of nerve endings in nose --> decreased sense of smell.
Loss of bone mass is called...
Osteoporosis
Decreased mobility, memory changes, muffled speech, depression, frozen facial expression.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, ambulating/transferring, feeding.
ADLs (activities of daily living). The skills necessary to maintain independence in one’s home.
Which gender has a longer in life expectancy?
Women. However the gender gap in life expectancy is narrowing. In 1990, it was expected that men would live seven fewer years than women. By 2022, this gap had gone down to five years (80.2 for women and 74.8 for men).
This part of the body often gets a little larger with age due to decreased cartilage
Ears
This term refers to the legal concept that a person’s wishes regarding their medical care should be honored, even if they are unable to communicate those wishes directly.
A distinct clinical syndrome which results from decline across multiple body systems.
Frailty. Charac by unintentional weight loss (10 lbs in past year), loss of muscle mass, self-reported exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed, and low physical activity.
Using the telephone, doing laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning, medication management, finance management, and access to transportation.
iADLs (instrumental activities of daily living). Skills necessary to maintain independence in the home AND community.
What is the leading cause of death in geriatric folks?
1. Heart disease
Followed by: 2. Cancer, 3. COVID. (CDC, 2022)
Older people are less likely to develop what symptom of infection
Fever (less heat production and less subq tissue). Body temperature is not reliable to indicate health status.
This condition among elderly individuals is characterized by a gradual loss of cognitive function and affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease
What percentage of elderly patients are in nursing homes?
Only 3-5% of people over 65 years old are in nursing homes. (& Elderly men are likely to live with a spouse while elderly women are more likely to live alone.)
In what decade was the American Geriatrics Society started?
1940s
These changes in the GI system with aging often lead to slower digestion and increased risk of constipation.
Decreased gastric motility (less tone of colonic muscles), and atrophy of mucous glands of the colon (glands shrink and are less effective).
"Acute onset and fluctuating course" is the first question in this assessment tool.
CAM (Confusion Assessment Method)
This term describes a syndrome where older adults experience reduced muscle mass and strength, which increases their risk of falls and fractures.
Sarcopenia
Almost half of older adults participate in this activity after they retire.
Volunteering!