*General Gerontology terms- objectives 1-5

Nutrition

Leading indicator of health status, critical to maintaining health in older adults, linked to happiness and quality of life.

Hydration Management

Maintaining fluid intake to support renal function and prevent dehydration, especially important in older adults.

Pressure Ulcers

Lesions caused by unrelieved pressure resulting in tissue damage, common in immobile older adults.

Malnutrition

A state resulting from inadequate or unbalanced nutrient intake that can lead to adverse health outcomes.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, often seen in older adults, particularly those in long-term care settings.

Constipation

A common problem in older adults, not an inevitable age-related change, often due to poor diet and low fluid intake.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep, commonly seen in older adults.

Exercise Recommendations

Older adults should engage in 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week to maintain health.

Skin Integrity

this is compromised in older adults due to immobility and other factors. If compromised can cause pressure ulcers

Custodial Focus

The primary approach to caring for seniors in hospitals in the 1900s, prioritizing physical conditions.

Priory Method

A humanized approach to gerontological nursing developed by Vera Mclver (1967-1968), focusing on the whole person, wellness, strengths, abilities, and independence.

Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA)

Established in 1985, an organization that developed and adopted competencies and standards for gerontological nursing in Canada.

Holistic Approaches to Care

Addressing the Biopsychosocial and spiritual needs of older adults to promote optimal health.

Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Needs

Dimensions of holistic care: Bio (physical health), Psycho (psychological health), Social (social health), and Spiritual (spiritual health).

Interdisciplinary Approach to Care

Collaboration among various healthcare disciplines (e.g., RNs, LPNs, OTs, PTs, physicians, SW, Pharmacists) to deliver care to older adults.

Long Term Care (LTC)

A setting where about 7% of older Canadians live, often distinguishing between the care itself and facilities like nursing homes; residents typically have complex needs and multiple chronic illnesses.

LPN Role in LTC

leadership, decision-making, knowledgeable care, effective communication, collaboration with RNs and families, and delegation of tasks to PCAs.

Acute Care for Older Adults

Hospital settings where older adults are frequently admitted due to exacerbations of chronic illness or other illnesses, often with complications like functional decline, malnutrition, or delirium.

Community-Based Settings

Places where approximately 93% of older adults live, including home care, independent living complexes, retirement communities, and adult day care programs.

Community Care Nursing Role

Focuses on comprehensive assessment and care for individuals with multiple needs, with an emphasis on health promotion to optimize function and safety.

Gerontological Nursing Workforce Concerns

A critical demand for gerontological nurses and other health professionals, with growing concerns about adequate staffing in nursing homes and the impact of ageism on nurses.

Baby Boomers

A generation characterized as informed and educated, preparing early for a 'good' old age, and expecting a higher quality of life as they age.

Factors Influencing Communication with Older Adults

Includes ageism, culture, sensory deficits, level of wellness, and mental health issues.

Elderspeak

A form of ageism where younger people alter their speech (e.g., limited vocabulary, 'baby talk,' slow speech, using 'we') based on the assumption that older adults have difficulty understanding.

Effective Communication with Older Adults

Involves avoiding Elderspeak, active listening, being present and respectful, maintaining a non-judgmental attitude, considering cultural differences, and using open-ended questions when appropriate.

Life Story

Encouraging older adults to share their past experiences, which fosters personal growth and builds nurse-client relationships.

Reminiscing

The recall of the past or life review, which helps individuals remember, reframe, and extract meaning from their life, contributing to Erikson's developmental task of 'Ego integrity vs Despair'.

Indigenous People Health Disparities

Underlying inequalities rooted in colonialization, policies of assimilation, racism, and health systems that do not incorporate Indigenous worldviews, leading to intergenerational trauma and health issues.

National Truth and Reconciliation Day

Observed on September 30, a day dedicated to acknowledging the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.

Culturally Safe Care

A nursing practice that requires cultural sensitivity/awareness, reflection on personal biases, knowledge about other cultures, and consideration of cultural implications in communication and care.

Indigenous Elders

Highly respected members of Indigenous culture who serve roles such as teacher, counsellor, ceremony conductor, healer, and conflict resolver, committed to living what they teach.

Legal & Ethical Considerations for Older Adults

Key areas include Mental Capacity, the Adult Protection Act, and Advanced Health Care Directives.

Evidenced-informed Practice (EIP)

The use of the best available research evidence from multiple healthcare disciplines to guide clinical decision-making and influence positive outcomes for clients.

Biological Theories of Aging

Theories that propose why the body functions in a physical way and provide clues to the aging process.

Stochastic Theories

Theories that suggest aging results from random mutations and errors occurring in DNA and RNA over time. Ex- cancer cells as they keep changing over time

Nonstochastic Theories

Theories that propose aging is programmed and each cell has a natural life expectancy.

Neuroendocrine-Immunological Theory

A nonstochastic theory suggesting that immune function declines with age, increasing risk for autoimmune diseases.

Physiological Aging Key Points

Aging changes are diverse among individuals and influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and health status.

Integumentary Age-Related Changes

Includes thinning skin, loss of elasticity, and changes in hair and nails.

Xerosis

Dry skin that becomes more prevalent with aging, potentially leading to itchiness (pruritus).

Kyphosis

A postural change characterized by a stooped appearance, often seen in older adults.

Osteoporosis

Rapid bone loss post-menopause that increases the risk of fractures.

Presbycardia

Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system, including stiffening of vessels.

GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)

A measure of kidney function that declines with age.

Urinary Incontinence

Unintentional loss of urine that can be acute or chronic, with several types including urge and stress. A more prevalent condition in older adults, though not a normal age-related change. In LTC 60% of people suffer from this, 90% of those suffering have dementia

Altered Immune Response

A decrease in the ability of the immune system to respond to infections, common with aging.

Proprioception

Awareness of body position affected with age, increasing the risk of falls.

Health

A state related to functional abilities, resilience, strengths, and resources, not just absence of disease.

Wellness

The state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, dependent on culture and perception. Is striving for optimal level of health

Holistic Health

An approach that includes all aspects of an individual’s health.

Self-efficacy

The belief in one’s ability to take actions necessary for one's own health.

Disengagement Theory

A theory suggesting a mutual separation between older adults and society during aging.

Activity Theory

A theory proposing that staying active leads to better health outcomes in older adults.

Continuity Theory

A theory stating that individuals maintain consistent patterns of behavior as they age.

Ego Integrity versus Despair

Erikson’s last stage of life where individuals reflect on their lives with a sense of satisfaction or regret.

Gerotranscendence

A shift in values from material to cosmic, leading to wisdom and spiritual growth.

Cognition

Mental processes involved in acquiring and processing information necessary for daily living.

Cognitive Reserve

The brain's ability to adapt and respond to changes and stressors based on regular mental stimulation.

Health Literacy

The ability to access, understand, and act on health information effectively.

Social Isolation

A state lacking social belonging and engagement, resulting in minimal social contacts.

Aloneness

A condition where individuals are without companionship, often influenced by life circumstances.

Teach-back Method

A health education technique where individuals are asked to explain back what they learned.

Technology & Older Adults

Refers to the use of technology to enhance the quality of life and health management for older individuals.

Gerontology

The study of aging.

Geriatrics Nursing

Nursing specialty that focuses on the medical care of older adults.

Gerontological Nursing

Nursing specialty with a broader focus, including health promotion, disease prevention, and care for older adults across the full spectrum of health.

Aging

A process that begins at birth, with its meaning influenced by factors such as culture, society, history, and gender. Historically, it was sometimes viewed as a 'disease'.

Chronological Age

An individual's age measured in years.

Developmental Age

An individual's age according to their maturation level, determined by assessing if they are at an appropriate developmental stage.

Young-old

Age category for individuals between 65-74 years.

Middle-old

Age category for individuals between 75-84 years.

Old-old

Age category for individuals 85 years and older.

Centenarians

Individuals who are 100 years and older.

Demography (Demographics)

The statistical study of population size and distribution.

65 years

The generally accepted chronological age marker for seniors in Canada, also the age of eligibility for the Old Age Security pension since 1952.

Aging Trends in Canada

Driven by an increase in life expectancy, a decrease in the fertility rate, and the aging of the Baby Boomer generation.

Wellness

Achieving a balance between one's internal and external environment, as well as one's emotional, spiritual, social, cultural, and physical processes.

Healthy Aging

Involves balancing social, biological, psychological, spiritual, cultural, and environmental factors.

Ageism

Stereotyping and discriminating against people because they are 'old', often stemming from a lack of knowledge or limited understanding of the older population.

Societal factors that are influenced by aging

• Gender considerations

• Diversity

• Economics

• Health service

Acute

A medical condition that comes on suddenly and is typically severe in nature, often requiring immediate attention.

Chronic

A medical condition that persists for at least a year often requiring ongoing management and treatment.

Psychological component of healthy ageing

Self efficiency, the feeling in control of one's life. Taking responsibility for one own health. Effective coping.

Spirituality and aging component of healthy aging

transcends the physical and psychological to reach the deepest individual capacity for love, hope and meaning. A nurse must be knowledgable and be respectful a various religions, rituals, rights, and cultural beliefs

Environment component of healthy ageing

include structural living arrangements, maintaining a safe environment, as well as healthy relationships, and effective support team

Determinants of health

• Income and social status

• Social support networks

• Employment working conditions

• Physical environment

• Education

• Healthy child development

• Biology and genetic endowment

• Health services

• Personal health practises and coping skills

Fluid intelligence

The ability to reason and think abstractly, often declining with age.

Crystallized intelligence

Knowledge and abilities acquired throughout life. Remain stable. Older adults are able to learn and acquire new knowledge

The epidermis

The outer layer of the skin

Dermis

the middle supportive layer of the skin that has connective tissue

Hypodermis

inner fat layer of the skin, has subcutaneous tissue containing blood vessels and nerves.

Senile purpura

is a condition characterized by purple spots on the skin, as well as easy bruising commonly seen in older adults due to thinning skin and fragile blood vessels.

Suborrheic keratoses

Brown raised lesion with ‘stick on’ appearance

Blader capacity

Decreases from 500 to 600 mL in the younger adult to about 250 mL in a older adult

Xerostomia

Dry mouth, this is common and can be a common medication side effect.

Approximately 22.3% of men and 21.1% of women >60 are without these

natural teeth

urge incontinence

Overactive bladder, creates the “ Need to go” suddenly, is the most common type of incontinence.

Stress Incontinence

Loss of urine caused by a increase in intra-abdominal pressure due to coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, Ect.

Overflow Incontinence

Loss of urine due to an overextended bladder.

Functional Incontinence

The urinary tract is intact but the person is unable to reach a toilet due to environmental barries causing incontinence.