Geriatric Health Study Guide

Bed Fast

Older adults need fewer calories but require nutrient-dense foods like grains, vegetables, and fruits for vitamins, minerals, roughage, and fiber, avoiding large amounts of sugar.
They also require protein and calcium-rich foods.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease potentially affecting any age group, thought to be of immune origin.
Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a noninflammatory disorder where joint cartilage deteriorates and new bone forms.

Decreased Cardiac Output: Leads to increased incidence of heart failure and decreased peripheral circulation.
Decreased Elasticity: Decreased heart muscle and blood vessel elasticity results in decreased venous return, increased dependent edema, and higher incidence of orthostatic hypotension.
Increased Atherosclerosis: Contributes to increased blood pressure and myocardial infarction.

Immobilization and lack of physical activity.
Inadequate fiber and fluid intake due to poor dietary habits.
Medication use, including opioid analgesics, antacids, iron preparations, anticholinergics, or overuse of laxatives.

Older adults need to consume less food compared to their more active younger years.
Adults aged 75-90 years require approximately 30 calories per kg (14 calories per lb).
Younger adults aged 20-37 years need 40 calories per kg (18 calories per lb).
A normal daily diet ranges from 1600-2400 calories, varying by gender and weight.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition, while osteoarthritis is degenerative.

Women: Decreased vaginal secretion, decreased estrogen levels leading to vaginal shortening, narrowing, loss of elasticity, decreased pubic hair, increased vaginal tissue fragility/irritation, decreased uterus/vagina size, increased pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), and increased vaginal alkalinity (higher infection risk).
Men: Decreased speed and ability to maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction), decreased testosterone (less facial/pubic hair, reduced energy, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido), decreased circulation (slower ejaculation, decreased ejaculatory force, slower erection achievement).

Presbyopia is age-related vision change causing loss of lens elasticity, decreased near-object focus, and reduced visual acuity.
Causes: Pupil size decreases, tissue elasticity declines, leading to blurred vision.
4 Leading Causes of Visual Impairment:
- Cataracts (lens clouding).
- Glaucoma (pressure buildup in the eye, harming the optic nerve).
- Macular degeneration (blurry or lost central vision).
- Diabetic retinopathy (damages blood vessels in the retina due to diabetes).

Characterized by abnormal sensation, numbness, and burning sensations in the extremities.
Inadequate blood flow and nerve damage contribute to foot ulcers and infections, especially in those with diabetes mellitus.
Decreased awareness of pain, temperature changes, and diminished circulation increase injury risk. Untreated injuries can lead to amputation.

Milk, cheese, milk products, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, legumes, fish with bones, and fortified cereals.

Upright position, leaning slightly forward with the chin down, improves swallowing.

Tan or brown macules caused by sun exposure, common in middle-aged and older people.

Cognitive functions may take 3-6 months to recover, but residual dysfunction is common.
The stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US, risk increases after 55.
Physical: May require learning to use the non-dominant hand due to hemiplegia (paralysis on one side), wheelchairs, and canes for weakness/balance loss. Encourage prescribed exercises.

Incontinence: Inability to control urine and bowel elimination.
Fecal Incontinence: Associated with immobilization, inadequate fiber/fluid intake.
Urinary Incontinence: Can arise from excessive bladder pressure or weak sphincters.
- Stress incontinence: involuntary loss of small amount of urine when coughing or sneezing (increased abdominal pressure, loss muscle tone)
- Urge incontinence: involuntary urine loss after a sudden urge to void (caused by stroke, cystitis, dementia, etc)
- Overflow incontinence: chronically full bladder increases bladder pressure to high level, accompanied by weak urine stream, interrupted voiding, feeling of incomplete emptying
- Functional urinary incontinence: occurs as a result of inability or unwillingness to get to toilet due to physical limitations, depression, or confinement to bed/use of restraints

Sudden blood pressure drop upon standing from sitting or lying down, causing lightheadedness or instability.

Depression and loneliness are not normal in older adults.
Older adults do not need less sleep than younger adults.
Older adults can learn new things.
Dementia is not inevitable.
Older adults should exercise.
Alzheimer’s Disease is not always hereditary.
Older adults can drive.
Osteoporosis is not only a concern for older women.
Older adults can quit smoking.
Taking medication for hypertension doesn't allow one to stop when blood pressure returns to normal.
Most older adults are not in nursing care or facilities (80% live at home).
Older adults do have energy and are not always tired, ill, or disabled.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause.
- Early stage: Gradual memory loss and difficulty focusing.
- Middle stage: Difficulty with language, object recognition, and judgment.
- Terminal stage: Urinary/fecal incontinence, inability to ambulate/self-care, inability to communicate. May become mute and bedridden. Average duration is 8 years, but can last 20+ years.

Progressive, degenerative disease characterized by muscle rigidity, tremors, and akinesia (motor and psychic hypoactivity).
Stress increases symptoms.
Medications like levodopa, amantadine, and anticholinergics may slow progression but have side effects like disorientation, blurred vision, delirium, and drowsiness.

Good: Personality remains stable, and not all older adults experience cognitive deficits.
Bad: Memory, sleep, and proprioception decline. Delirium and dementia may occur. Decrease in brain cells, nerve fibers, and neuroreceptors.

Decreased taste buds and saliva production.
Slowed gastric motility, causing delayed emptying, distention, and early satiety.
Medications may cause dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, and constipation.