Intro to Aging

slippery slope of aging

• general decline in overall physiological ability w/ increase in age

• further an individual can move above threshold = more physiological reserve available for protection from acute decline in physiological system

trends in aging population

• rising levels of education

• older adults working longer

• poverty rates dropping

• more older adults can meet daily care needs

• life expectancy dropped then rose again

• increase in obesity

• latino & african american more likely to live in poverty

• more divorces and women living alone

• caregiving gap

common chronic conditions

High blood pressure

arthritis

diabetes

stroke

lung disease

cancer

ageism

discrimination against older people because of negative and inaccurate stereotypes

age friendly health systems

Social movement aimed at using a person-centered approach to maintain the health of older adults based on evidence-based care that improves health outcomes and prevents avoidable harm

• uses framework of 4Ms

4Ms

what matters

medication

mentation

mobility

what to take into consideration with ‘what matters’

cognition, health status, identity

regular screening for 7 meds:

benzos, opioids, anticholinergics, muscle relaxants, antipsychotics, TCAs, sedatives

STOPP

screening tool of older person’s potentially inappropriate prescriptions

START

screening tool of alert doctors to right treatment

factors that may contribute to depressive symptoms

◦ sensory limitations (vision and hearing)
◦ social isolation
◦ losses associated with aging (job, income, and societal roles)
◦ loneliness
◦ bereavement

how often to screen for delirium

every 12 hours

risk factors for delirium

dehydration

immobility

sleep deprivation

cognitive impairment

visual impairment

hearing impairment