Older Adult and Care After Death

Older adult=

Person age 65 or older with increased risk for chronic illness and functional decline

Aging in place=

Remaining in home/community instead of institutional care

Health promotion=

Activities that improve quality of life and prevent disease at any age

Chronic disease=

Long-term condition that limits function and independence

Medicare=

Federal insurance starting at age 65

Medicaid=

Insurance for low-income older adults

Health equity=

Reducing disparities and improving health outcomes for all

Social determinants of health=

Environmental and social factors affecting health

Normal aging changes=

Expected physiologic changes not caused by disease

Pathological changes=

Disease-related changes requiring treatment

Preventive care=

Screenings and services to detect disease early

Fall prevention=

Priority intervention to reduce injury and mortality

Food insecurity=

Lack of access to adequate nutritious food

Normal GI aging=

↓ motility, ↓ absorption, swallowing and dental issues

Anorexia (elderly)=

Decreased appetite common in aging

Obesity paradox=

Obesity may not shorten lifespan in older adults

SNAP=

Program providing food assistance to older adults

Constipation=

Common due to ↓ GI motility, meds, and inactivity

Incontinence=

Loss of bladder control affecting many older adults

Stress incontinence=

Leakage with coughing or movement

Kegel exercises=

Pelvic floor strengthening to improve continence

Exercise (older adult)=

Key intervention to prevent decline and improve function

Aerobic + strength training=

Best combination to maintain mobility and reduce falls

Pre-exercise assessment=

Ensures safety before starting activity

Sleep changes (aging)=

↓ sleep time, ↑ awakenings, ↓ deep sleep

Sleep disorders=

Insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome

Sleep hygiene=

Environmental and behavioral practices to improve sleep

Dementia=

Chronic progressive cognitive decline (not normal aging)

Delirium=

Acute confusion often due to medical cause

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)=

Early decline with memory and reasoning deficits

Alzheimer's disease=

Most common dementia with no cure

Presbyopia=

Age-related inability to focus on near objects

Cataracts=

Clouding of lens causing vision loss

Glaucoma=

Increased intraocular pressure damaging vision

Presbycusis=

Age-related hearing loss

Cerumen impaction=

Earwax buildup causing hearing issues

Skin changes=

Thinner, fragile skin with ↑ injury risk

Pressure ulcer=

Skin breakdown from prolonged pressure

Safety risks=

Increased risk of burns, falls, and injury

Ego integrity=

Acceptance of life with sense of peace

Despair=

Regret and dissatisfaction with life

Reminiscence therapy=

Reviewing memories to improve mood and cognition

Role changes=

Loss of roles due to retirement, illness, or death

Caregiver role=

Older adult caring for another individual

Grief/loss=

Emotional response to life changes

Successful retirement=

Associated with health, income, support, positive outlook

Sexuality (older adult)=

Need for intimacy persists despite physical changes

Coping=

Ability to manage stress and maintain self-concept

Depression (elderly)=

High risk due to isolation, illness, and loss

Suicide risk=

Highest in older adults, especially men >85

Falls=

Leading cause of injury and death in elderly

Osteoporosis=

Bone loss increasing fracture risk

Elder abuse=

Intentional or neglectful harm by caregiver

Decreased immunity=

Higher infection risk in aging

Polypharmacy=

Use of multiple medications increasing risk

Start low, go slow=

Medication safety principle in elderly

Alcohol (elderly)=

Increased sensitivity and underreported use

Tobacco use=

Major risk for chronic disease and cancer

Quality of life=

Primary goal of care for older adults

Chronic disease management=

Focus of nursing care

Immunizations=

Key prevention strategy

Health literacy=

Ability to understand and use health information

Care after death=

Nursing care after a patient dies including donation, autopsy, and postmortem care

Postmortem care=

Care of the body after death with focus on dignity, respect, and preparation

Organ donation=

Donation of organs for transplant after death or while living

Tissue donation=

Donation of tissues such as skin, cornea, or veins

Brain death=

Irreversible loss of all brain function; legally considered death

Circulatory death=

Death after cardiac arrest and loss of circulation

Living donation=

Donation of organs (e.g., kidney, liver portion) while alive

Organ donor registration=

Signing up to be a donor through DMV or donation websites

Family communication (donation)=

Sharing wishes with family so decisions are honored

Required reporting=

Nurse must report every death to the organ donation organization

Do not approach family=

Nurse should NOT discuss donation; trained team handles it

Donation myth:

care stops=FALSE—patient always receives full care regardless of donor status

Donation myth:

cost=FALSE—donation does not cost the family money

Recipient selection=

Based on need, compatibility, and priority—not personal factors

Honor walk=

Ceremony honoring organ donor as they are transported for donation

Autopsy=

Examination of body after death to determine cause of death

Legal autopsy=

Required in cases like homicide, suicide, overdose, or suspicious death

Coroner's case=

Autopsy ordered when cause of death is unknown or unusual

Postmortem nursing actions=

Remove lines, bathe patient, apply clean linens, follow policy

Nursing self-care=

Use resources like counseling, chaplain, journaling, or exercise to cope with patient death