Geriatric Care Overview

Geriatrics Definition: Assessment and treatment of diseases in individuals aged 65 and older, consistent with definitions by medical and governmental agencies.
Aging Factors: Genetics, lifestyle, and attitude influence the rate of aging.
Challenges: Geriatric patients may have altered presentations of injuries and illnesses due to chronic conditions, medications, and aging physiology.

Holistic Approach: Providing care involves understanding aging issues beyond managing emergencies.
Awareness Programs: Hospitals and communities are promoting geriatrics awareness and injury prevention strategies.
Role of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs):
- Assess home safety.
- Share fall prevention information.
- Refer patients to social services for assistance.

Life Changes in Older Adults:
- Many older individuals cope with loss, such as a spouse and subsequent financial management.
- Fixed incomes complicate medication adherence and healthcare access.
Attitudes Towards Aging:
- Care providers must avoid ageism (stereotypes like dementia or immobility), as older adults can be active and fit.

Effective Communication Skills: Crucial for assessment and treatment success.
Challenging Aspects: Changes in sensory perception and cognitive abilities in older adults can hinder communication.
Communication Techniques:
- Use the person's name or proper titles.
- Maintain eye contact and ensure good lighting.
- Speak slowly, distinctly, and at an appropriate pitch.
- Address one question at a time and give them time to respond.
- Explain procedures in simple, jargon-free terms.

Physiological Changes: Injuries can be more serious in older adults due to decreased physiological resilience (e.g., hip fractures leading to pneumonia).
Assessment Complexity: Older patients may fear loss of independence, complicating health evaluations.
Pneumonia: Leading cause of death in those 65+, requiring a high suspicion level for signs and symptoms.

General Aging Process: Human development peaks in the late 20s to early 30s, with gradual decline thereafter.
Physiological Functions Decline: Affects responses to illness; need to recognize that symptoms may not simply be attributed to aging.

Respiratory Changes: Weakened airway musculature, decreased lung elasticity, less sensitive chemoreceptors.
Impaired Cough Reflex: Leads to increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Pneumonia: Major cause of geriatric mortality; treated as an emergency.

Pulmonary Embolism: Blockage of a lung artery by a blood clot; differentiate from cardiac and lung conditions.
Symptoms:
- Sudden shortness of breath and potentially chest pain.
- Risk factors: recent hospitalizations, trauma, obesity, and sedentary behavior.
Management: Focus on airway, ventilation, and circulatory support, administer oxygen as needed.

Heart and Circulation: Hypertrophy and reduced cardiac output as a response to stiff arteries.
Risk Factors for Disease: Include atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, and myocardial issues; silent heart attacks can occur in older patients.
Symptoms Attack: Unusual presentations for heart attack in elderly, including dyspnea, nausea, and confusion.
Management: Assess vitals, provide airway support, and potentially administer medications like aspirin under protocol.

Right vs. Left Side Failure:
- Right side: Jugular vein distension, peripheral edema.
- Left side: Pulmonary edema causing severe shortness of breath.
Emergency Treatment: Ensure airway management and monitor vital signs.

Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke): Leading cause of death, with increasing risk with age.
Symptoms: Sudden weakness, speech changes, and headache.
Management: Time-sensitive treatment; identify stroke onset to determine appropriate interventions, including potential for clot removal.