special needs ch 1 & 2

Ch 1

define aging

the process of growing older. aging begins when we are conceived and ends the moment we die. it is the in-bt where organisms mature and decline. biological aging is NOT synonymous w chronological aging

define life expectancy

it is the length of remaining life to a projected time of death. it is NOT always defined from birth

define life span

the oldest ppl alive

define lifetime

the amount of time a person lives and the age we are when we die defined by death

life expectancy is expected to (increase/decrease)

females live (longer/shorter) than men

-increase

-longer

there are more older living (females/males)

females

why has there been an increase in older ppl since the 1900s? is it expected to grow/decline

baby boomers, declining birth rates, better work conditions + policies

-expected to grow

what age group is the fastest growth segment

85+

true or false - the lifespan is not predicted to grow even if we were to eliminate the top 10 diseases

true

bc of the increase of the elderly population, there has been an (increase/decrease) in the utilization of dental services

increase

what are two ways we can classify the elderly

-chronological age

-functional status

define how we classify the elderly by their chronlogical age

there are young old (65-75) and oldest old (85+) bc ppl within these age ranges have experienced diff life experiences such as war, great depression, GI benefits

describe what it means to be young old vs oldest old

young old tend to be healthier, better educated, more likely to depend on social services, and more likely to utilize health + dental services

oldest old tend to be less healthy, less educated, less likely to spend, on more medications, and seek dental services for emergencies/extractions

define how we classify the elderly by their functional status

these includes activities of daily living (ADLs) such as using the bathroom, brushing teeth, and taking a shower by oneself + instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as mowing the grass, using technology, and doing one's housework

based on their functional status the elderly are further classified by 3 statuses, which are

-functionally independent

-frail

-functionally dependent

define what it means to be functionally independent

-they make up 80% of the aging population

-they are independent and live in the community

-they require no assistance

-healthy and strong

define what it means to be frail

-they make up 10-15% of the population

-they have some debilitating physical, mental, or emotional problems

-they require support for some IADLs

define what it means to be functionally dependent

-they make up 5-10% of the population

-they are seriously impaired and are unable to perform most daily activities

-they may be institutionalized/home bound

what are 2 types of ways we classify aging

-physiological growth

-psychosocial growth

define physiological growth

-it includes inherited, non-modifiable factors

-we are born -> go thru puberty -> turn into adults -> experience irreversible decline

define our psychosocial growth

-it includes learned developed factors such as (cognition, affective, psychomotor, and interpersonal skills)

-it starts before we are born in the womb. we can listen to outside voices -> we are born -> exposed to all senses -> learn and continue to take everything around us

-it peaks around our 44-50s and slows down once ppl stop utilizing their skills

define ageism

prejudice and discrimination against older people

list 5 theories of aging

-waste accumulation theory

-wear-and-tear theory

-free radical theory

-limited number of cell division theory

-genetic control theory

describe the waste accumulation theory

our cells accumulate waste products and get rid of them slowly. the buildup of toxins and waste eventually interferes w regular metabolic activity of cells leading to aging

describe the wear-and-tear theory

when we continue to abuse our bodies w toxic substances like alcohol, sun exposure, bad diet, smoking, etc., aging increases. aging occurs at a slower rate when there is no abuse

describe the free radical theory

free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to other cells and tissues which contributes to aging over time. to stop this, the body can try to reduce the production of free radicals or bind/neutralize them before damage occurs thru (Vitamin A, C, E, and beta-carotene)

describe the limited number of cell division theory

the accumulation of metabolic errors that occur during cell division causes aging. each imperfection increases the # of errors

describe the genetic control theory

there is a predetermined natural system of aging. we are chemically programmed to age. our biological clock tells us when we do certain processes (teeth eruption, greying hairs, growth)

Ch 2

list some personality changes which can occur as ppl age

-they become more individualistic

-decrease in gender-based behaviors

-men become more nurturing

-women become more outspoken

-we should not see major personality changes/switches which would indicate that something it wrong

list some social changes which can occur as ppl age

-interactions w family, friends and colleagues decrease

-retirement, declining health, income changes, assisted living, death

list some emotional changes which can occur as ppl age

-ppl may experience depression

-15-20% of the elderly are depressed

-symptoms of depression in the elderly present differently

-more F>M have depression

describe some vision changes we experience as we age

-pupil size goes down, we respond LESS to light, we cant see images well in both eyes

-we may need reading glasses, we have more sensitivity to glare, we have weaker cones especially in blues/greens

as dental hygienists what is our role to help those w vision changes

have plenty of light in the reception areas + have color distinctions on the edges of chairs

describe changes w spatial awareness we experience as we age

our CNS isnt as sharp so we are slower at realizing our physical position in spaces

as dental hygienists what is our role to help those w spatial awareness changes

-we may need to help our pts in and out of chairs

-watch for unsteadiness when they're walking

-raising/lower the chair more slowly

define learning

the process of gathering new info and putting it into our memory

define memory

the process of retrieving information

define recall

the active retrieval of information in our memory

define recognition

matching info in our memory w a stimulus in the environment

describe changes w cognition we experience as we age

the elderly may be slower at responding and do errors of omission

what are errors of omission

leaving out important info, when we cant remember the exact details - very common w the elderly

as dental hygienists what is our role to help those w cognition changes

-pace out questions

-not rush responses

-phrase questions to emphasize reognition not recall

describe what is dementia

it is a variety of conditions that has impacted the brain and destroyed brain damage. it impairs cognitive fx and memory.

more advanced stages of dementia are where we see major personality/behavior changes

what is sundowners Alzheimer's **

it is a type of Alzheimer's where ppl mix up when it is night and day and do activities at opposite times

describe how informed consent can be tricky for the elderly

there may be intermittent times of mental incapacity. sometimes their legal guardians are appointed thru the judicial system and they discern who gives consent

xerostomia (is/isn't) normal for aging. what is a cause of xerostomia

-isn't normal

-medications (prilosec, lipitor, norvasc, zoloft, claritin, prevacid)

what should ask when we see pts who appear w dry burning mouth/red atrophic tissue

is ur mouth dry when eating? do u have problems w swallowing?

as we age, pulpe size [ ], pulp becomes less [ ], and we may have [ ] [ ]

decreases, fibrotic, pulp stones

describe how enamel is when we age

it becomes less permeable, brittle, and darker

describe the presence of caries as we age and what we should recommend as tx

recurrent decay, root caries, furcations, and poor dexteroity can all contribute to caries

-indications for fluoride

list other physical attributes of the dentition as we age

-perio ds

-erosion from food/meds

-attrition, occlusal and incisal wear, toothbrush abrasion (non-occlusal)

-mucosal irritation from removable prosthesis

-skin thickness decreases; dry + pursed lips

-dilated vessels on the tongue on the ventral surface