muth ch 7 elderly populations

Gerontology

The systematic study of the phenomena of aging, involving normal biological, social, and psychological processes.

Gerontologist

A person who specializes in one or more aspects of aging, including medicine, psychology, sociology, or music therapy.

Geriatrics

A medical subspecialty concerned with the care of elderly patients and treatment of their medical problems.

Senescence

The universal and inevitable decline in the efficiency of body systems that occurs with aging.

Chronological age

A measure of time, usually in years, that have elapsed since a person’s birth.

Biological age

An estimate of a person’s physical condition relative to others of the same chronological age.

Psychological age

How well a person responds to changing environments and adapts to new situations or experiences.

Psychosocial age

A reflection of societal expectations and social roles associated with a person’s age.

Depression

A psychological disorder common in older adults, characterized by sleep disturbance, low self-esteem, chronic fatigue, irritability, and social withdrawal.

Dementia

A condition with multiple cognitive deficits affecting memory, speech, motor skills, and daily functioning; can have sudden or gradual onset.

Alzheimer’s disease

A type of dementia causing progressive cognitive decline due to structural brain changes; always fatal.

Disorder of the central nervous system

Age-related neurological conditions affecting behavior and cognitive functions.

Parkinson’s disease

A degenerative CNS disorder with tremors, muscle rigidity, slow speech, shuffling gait, and later cognitive impairment.

Tardive dyskinesia

A neurological disorder marked by involuntary facial and limb movements, usually as a side effect of prolonged medication use.

Musculoskeletal disorders

Pathological conditions related to muscle function, bone mass, and structure common in the elderly.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative joint disease causing stiffness, swelling, and pain, often affecting hands, hips, knees, spine, and shoulders.

Osteoporosis

A condition, especially in postmenopausal women, causing brittle bones prone to fracture due to loss of bone mass.

disorders of the blood, heart, and circulatory system

conditions affecting the heart, blood, and blood vessels that commonly occur in older adults, impacting overall health and function

atherosclerosis

buildup of fibrofatty plaques in the coronary arteries, narrowing passageways and potentially causing heart attacks

arteriosclerosis

hardening and thickening of arteries, increasing resistance to blood flow and potentially causing brain or heart damage

myocardial infarction

also called a heart attack, occurs when blood supply to the heart is blocked, causing chest pain, weak pulse, and potential heart failure

cerebrovascular accident

also called a stroke, occurs when blood flow to the brain is restricted or a vessel ruptures, causing brain damage and possible paralysis

disorders of the sensory system

age-related dysfunctions in vision, hearing, or other senses that affect safety, independence, and social interaction

glaucoma

eye disease caused by excessive fluid accumulation, increasing pressure and potentially damaging the retina and optic nerve

cataracts

clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to dim or distorted vision, often treated with lens replacement surgery

presbycusis

age-related hearing loss, usually starting with high frequencies, impairing the ability to understand speech

disorders of the respiratory system

age-related lung problems often caused by environmental hazards or infections, affecting oxygenation and heart function

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD

progressive lung disease caused by long-term exposure to pollutants, reducing lung efficiency and stressing the heart

bronchitis

inflammation of the bronchi due to infection or environmental exposure, causing mucus buildup and chronic coughing

disorders of the GI system

digestive conditions in older adults, including ulcers, gastritis, cancer, and diverticulitis, affecting nutrition and health

gastritis

inflammation of the stomach lining, which may lead to ulcers and abdominal pain, sometimes requiring medication or surgery

ulcers

open sores in the stomach or intestines, causing pain, weight loss, and risk of bleeding, often treated medically or surgically

diverticulitis

inflammation of intestinal bulges (diverticula), causing pain, nausea, and bowel changes, treated with diet modification or surgery

disorders of the endocrine system

age-related dysfunctions of hormone-producing glands, commonly affecting metabolism and glucose regulation

diabetes

metabolic disorder characterized by insufficient insulin production, leading to high blood sugar and possible complications with eyes, skin, and circulation

activities of daily living

essential self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and mobility that determine independence

community living center

residential facility providing continuous care and assistance for older adults with limited functional abilities

international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF)

a descriptive coding system by WHO that provides a standardized language to describe health, functioning, and well-being across disciplines

activity

the execution of a task or action by an individual

participation

engagement in life situations

activity limitations

difficulties an individual may have in executing activities

participation restrictions

problems an individual may experience in involvement in life situations

music therapy for the elderly

the use of music interventions by trained therapists to promote rehabilitation, restoration, or support for older adults in their home and community environments

assessment using music

measurement of cognitive, physical, and psychosocial functioning through music-based activities to inform treatment planning

transformational design model (TDM)

a music therapy framework where functional nonmusical activities are converted into music activities to achieve measurable therapeutic outcomes

music therapy activities

structured music experiences designed to strengthen skills and improve functional outcomes in older adults

sing-along

a group music activity that can be used for enjoyment or therapeutic purposes depending on intent, participant engagement, and outcome measurement