Fundamentals of Nursing Care – Chapter 32: Care of Older Adults

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, conditions, and interventions related to the care of older adults as presented in Chapter 32 of Fundamentals of Nursing Care, 4th Edition.

Ageism

Discrimination or prejudice against older adults that results in stereotyping and unequal treatment.

Young-old

Adults 65–74 years old who often remain active in work, volunteering, and social networks.

Middle-old

Adults 75–84 years old; commonly retired, coping with loss of peers, and at higher risk for psychosocial disorders.

Old-old

Adults 85 years and older who usually have significant health decline and functional limitations.

Centenarian

A person 100 years of age or older.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary decrease in cerebral blood flow causing sudden dizziness, visual changes, or limb weakness; often a stroke warning sign.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)

Stroke caused by ischemia or hemorrhage in the brain, leading to neurologic deficits.

BEFAST

Acronym (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time) used to recognize stroke signs quickly.

Aphasia

Loss or impairment of the ability to speak or understand language; can be expressive, receptive, or global.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, increasing risk of aspiration, dehydration, and malnutrition.

Delirium

Acute, reversible mental confusion often with hallucinations; lasts hours to months.

Dementia

Progressive, irreversible decline in cognitive function lasting years.

Depression (late-life)

Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest developing over weeks; treatable with therapy or medication.

Presbyopia

Age-related loss of near-vision accommodation.

Cataract

Clouding of the lens causing blurry vision, glare sensitivity, and color fading.

Glaucoma

Eye disease of increased intraocular pressure damaging the optic nerve; may lead to blindness.

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Retinal damage causing loss of central vision and distorted images.

Presbycusis

Gradual sensorineural hearing loss, especially of high-frequency sounds, due to aging.

Polypharmacy

Simultaneous use of multiple medications, raising risk of adverse interactions or toxicity.

Xerostomia

Excessively dry mouth common in older adults, affecting taste and swallowing.

Peristalsis

Wavelike intestinal contractions that slow with age, leading to constipation.

Diabetes Mellitus (age-related)

Blood sugar disorder linked to decreased pancreatic efficiency in older adults.

Hypertrophy of Prostate

Enlargement of the prostate gland in aging males, often causing urinary problems.

Osteoporosis

Loss of bone density increasing fracture risk; common in older adults.

Contracture

Permanent joint stiffness due to muscle shortening, preventable with ROM exercises.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Narrowing of heart arteries; risk increases with age-related vascular changes.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Group of chronic lung diseases (emphysema, chronic bronchitis) limiting airflow in older adults.

Atelectasis

Collapse of alveoli reducing gas exchange; older adults are more susceptible.

Cor Pulmonale

Right-sided heart failure from chronic lung disease; risk increases with respiratory decline.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in blood pressure upon standing, common in the elderly, leading to falls.

Elder Abuse

Neglect or physical, psychological, sexual, or financial harm inflicted on older adults.

Neglect (elder)

Failure to meet basic needs such as food, hygiene, or medical care for an older person.

Exploitation (elder)

Illegal or improper use of an older adult’s resources for personal gain.

Intermediate Care

Long-term care level providing daily nursing attention but not 24-hour supervision.

Skilled Care

24-hour nursing supervision with services like IV therapy, wound management, or rehab.

Memory Care

Specialized residential setting designed for individuals with dementia.

Assisted Living

Housing option offering minimal support; residents do not require constant nursing care.

Heart-Healthy Diet

Nutritional plan low in saturated fat and sodium recommended to control cholesterol and BP.

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)

Circulatory disorder of narrowed peripheral arteries causing poor extremity perfusion.

Dyspnea on Exertion (DOE)

Shortness of breath during activity due to decreased cardiac or pulmonary function.

Handrail Installation

Safety measure to prevent falls, especially beneficial for osteoporotic patients.

Emergency Help Signal Device

Wearable alert system enabling older adults to call for help after a fall.

Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises

Movements that maintain joint flexibility and prevent contractures.

Skin Tear

Fragile skin injury common in the elderly; requires protective measures and gentle care.

Barrier Cream

Topical product applied to protect skin from moisture-related breakdown in incontinent patients.

Visual Acuity

Sharpness of vision that decreases with age.

Glare Sensitivity

Increased discomfort from bright light due to aging pupil changes.

Peripheral Pulse

Pulse in limbs that may be weaker or absent in older adults with poor circulation.

Slow Capillary Refill

Delayed return of color to nail bed indicating reduced peripheral perfusion.

Balance Disturbance

Equilibrium issues from inner-ear changes increasing fall risk.

Bladder Training

Scheduled voiding regimen aimed at reducing incontinence.

Olfactory Decline

Loss of smell related to reduced olfactory nerve numbers in aging.

Taste Bud Atrophy

Reduced taste sensitivity caused by age-related bud loss and less saliva.

Thermoregulation Impairment

Reduced ability to control body temperature due to fat and sweat gland loss.

Handheld Magnifier

Assistive device that enlarges print for older adults with decreased vision.

Nightlight

Small light source left on to improve nighttime safety and prevent falls.

Cluster Care

Grouping nursing tasks to allow longer rest periods for patients with limited energy.

Flu & Pneumonia Vaccines

Immunizations recommended to prevent common infectious diseases in older adults.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Kidney function test measuring filtration efficiency; declines with age.

Complete Medication List

Comprehensive record of all drugs and doses to prevent polypharmacy complications.

Telephone Scam

Fraudulent attempt to obtain money or information from older adults over the phone.