The Physical Challenges of Old Age

Flashcards about Physical Challenges of Old Age

ADL Impairments

A serious risk during the old-old years, referring to difficulties with Activities of Daily Living.

Instrumental ADL

Activities that require some intellectual competence and planning.

Basic ADL problems

Difficulties with essential self-care activities like bathing, dressing, and eating.

Calorie Restriction

A potential strategy for life extension, involving reducing calorie intake.

Intermittent Fasting (IF)

A dietary approach linked to anti-aging effects, involving periods of food deprivation.

Ketones

Accumulate during intermittent fasting and act as an accelerator to increase metabolism.

Fetal Programming Hypothesis

The idea that the accelerated aging process begins at the beginning of life.

Hispanic Paradox

The observation that Hispanic Americans tend to live longer despite facing socioeconomic challenges.

Collective Efficacy

A factor contributing to longer life, particularly in economically diverse neighborhoods, along with college education.

Presbyopia

A common age-related vision change related to the lens.

Presbycusis

Characteristic age-related, permanent hearing loss.

Osteoarthritis

A skeletal condition affecting motor abilities in older adults.

Osteoporosis

A skeletal condition affecting motor abilities in older adults, characterized by decreased bone density.

Dementia

A general label for illnesses that produce serious, progressive, usually irreversible cognitive decline.

Neurocognitive Disorders (NCDs)

Term introduced by APA (DSM-5) to describe cognitive decline

Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder

A form of dementia caused by multiple small strokes.

Neurocognitive Disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease

Age-related dementia characterized by neural atrophy, senile plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles.

Senile Plaques

Abnormal by-products found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Abnormal by-products found in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

Amyloid Protein

Fatty substance that is the basic constituent of the senile plaques

Continuing-Care Retirement Community

An alternative to institutions in the United States, providing a range of housing and care options.

Assisted-Living Facility

An alternative to institutions in the United States, offering housing and support services.

Certified Nurse Assistant (Aide)

A frontline care provider in a nursing home who helps elderly residents with basic ADL problems.