Older Adult

65+

Age range for older adults:

1. Boredom

2. Cost of living

Why might older adults be working still? [2]

Lack of long term care beds

Why are older adults encouraged to stay home longer?

Men work less high-risk jobs, and women are getting into them

Why is the gap narrowing between males dying before females?

Health inequities are becoming bigger and the gap is wider

What is happening with health inequalities with indigenous people compared to non-indigenous people?

1. Medical technology

2. More options

3. more medications

4. More research

5. More vaccines

6. More knowledge

7. more access to information

8. People in ICU living longer

why might people be living longer?

Polypharmacy. With so many new medications, it is important people are taking them correctly.

Issue related to people living longer (hint: meds)

1. Memory decline

2. Circulation disease

3. Brittle bones

4. muscle mass decrease

5. wear and tear on joints

6. taste buds decrease

7. Visual acuity changes (presbyopia)

8. Trouble hearing based on normal physiological changes (presbyocusis)

9. Saliva decrease

Examples of normal physiological changes of aging [9]

1. Working conditions

2. Income

3. Substance abuse

4. Smoking

5. Access

Factors that effect the aging process: [5]

over 50%

Percentage of older adults with osteoarthritis:

1. hypertension

2. COPD

3. Cancer

4. Diabetes

Examples of common chronic diseases in older adulthood: [4]

Programmed theories of aging

Biological aging theories that say that you have a certain life expectancy. You’re going to age a certain way (does not take other factors into consideration)

Error theories of aging

Biological theories of aging that take other factors into consideration, everyone ages differently

Free radical theory

Biological aging theory related to toxins in the body

Cross-linkage theory

Biological aging theory related to accumulative damage from stiff proteins

Wear and tear theory

Biological theory that says some conditions increase the aging process (ex: osteoarthritis)

Activity theory

Sociological theory of aging that says that if they continue to increase activity, then it will promote a healthy lifestyle

Disengagement theory

Sociological theory of aging that says older adults naturally disengage from society. Social isolation is not healthy. Older theory and not as relevant. Isolated due to circumstances.

Role theory

Sociological theory of aging that says older adults will continue with same type of role, more inclined to be healthy

Continuity theory

Sociological theory of aging that says older adult’s personalities remain the same. People do same activities and want to continue on in what they’re interested in

Age satisfaction theory

Sociological theory of aging that wonders if older adults feel valued and have a purpose (may lose purpose in retirement)

Integrity vs. despair

Erikson’s stage for older adults:

Motivation

What is an important factor in maintaining health in this age?

1. Not liking what is being served

2. Not being able to make choices

3. Smells can be strong and reduce appetite

Challenges in long-term care related to nutrition [2]

1. getting groceries

2. not being able to get things open (mobility, arthritis)

3. Extra responsibilities on family

Challenges outside of long term care for older adults related to nutrition

by determining whether the individual is meeting the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for calorie intake

How is nutrition measured in older adulthood?

1. solitary living

2. being of a particular race/ethnicity

3. Low income

4. Access

5. Social isolation

6. Low social support

7. Normal physiological changes

8. Chronic illness

9. Urinary incontinence

10. Fecal incontinence

Risk factors for poor nutrition in older adulthood: [10]

1. Being on a bathroom schedule

2. Being on medications

3. Dehydration

4. Constipation

What can impact elimination in long term care? [4]

Weakened pelvic floor muscles, related to childbirth

Why are women at increased risk for stress incontinence?

1. Bladder capacity decreases

2. GI mobility decreases

Why is elimination impacted in older adulthood? (normal physiological changes) [2]

150 minutes a week, combination of aerobic and muscle-strengthening

Physical activity recommendation for older adults:

1. Better sleep

2. Reduced constipation

3. Lower cholesterol

4. Lower BP

5. Better digestion

6. Weight loss

7. Socializing opportunities

8. Greater sense of well-being

Benefits of exercise for older adults: [8]

1. Loud noises

2. Call bells

3. People being loud by nurses station

4. Other residents wandering

Issues that can disrupt sleep in LTC: [4]

1. Sleep apnea

2. Inability to fall, stay or fall back to sleep

3. Not being refreshed in the morning

Sleep difficulties for older adults: [3]

Poor sleep at night.

Why might older adults nap during the day?

1. Encourage activity

2. Pain management

3. Discourage caffeine

4. Discourage diuretics before bed

Nursing interventions to improve sleep quality [4]

Older people are more prone to effects of caffeine. There are also changes in bladder, having to pee more. They will be up during the night to use the bathroom.

Why should caffeine be discouraged before bed in older adults?

Decreased brain weight. Grey matter can decrease, contributing to memory loss.

What happens to the anatomy of the brain with age?

1. Culture

2. Heredity

3. Lifestyle

4. Environmental exposures

How can cognition changes vary from individuals? (reasons) [4]

Sexual health

“a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality”

1. People

2. Independence

3. Job

4. home

5. kids moving away

6. Belongings (downsizing)

7. Mobility

8. Ability to drive

Losses an older adult may experience: [8]

Because there are so many losses in this age group

Why are older adults at increased risk for depression?

MAID (Medical assistance in dying)

Federal legislation in Canada where an individual can choose to end their own life. Lots of criteria.

1. proprioception

2. walking aids can actually increase risk

3. Mobility issues

Fall risk factors for older adults: [3]

1. clear clutter

2. make sure they have visual aids (etc.)

Nursing interventions for falls

1. Vision changes

2. hearing changes

3. Cognitive ability

4. Decreased reaction time

5. Acute or chronic illness: may need assessment to drive

Changes that can result in losing the ability to drive: [4]

1. flu vaccine

2. COVID vaccine

3. Shingles vaccine

Vaccines recommended for older adults:

Polypharmacy

Taking many medications incorrectly, not taking the medications like they should, or taking it as they feel they need it (not regularly as they should)