Aging Flashcards
(33 cards)
Biological Theories of Aging
Stochastic Theory: genetic damage leads to functional failure and death
Developmental/Genetic Theory: Aging is genetically programmed
Evolutionary Theory: genetic errors/accidents over time lead to aging
Psychological Theories of Aging
Lifespan Development Theory
Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory: recommends older adults select and optimize their best abilities and intact functions while compensating for declines
Socioemotional Selectivity Theory: older adults are motivated to hone their social networks to satisfy emotional needs
Cognition and Aging Theories: cognitive changes are a component of normal aging
Personality and Aging Theories: personality is stable over time
Sociological Theories of Aging
Life Course Perspective Theory:
Social Exchange Theory
Political Economy of Aging Theory: examines how resources are allocated to older adults and how treatment and status are impacted by trends
Critical Perspective of Aging Theory: trends in soical gerontology
Muscular Age-related changes
Changes may be due more to decreased activity levels
Loss of muscle strength (peaks at 30)
Loss of power
Loss of Mass
Changes in muscle fiber composition (increase in type 1)
Changes in endurance
Strategies to slow, reverse, or compensate for muscular system changes
improve overall health
Increase level of physical activity
Provide strength training to increase or maintain muscle strength
Provide flexibility and range of motion exercises to increase range of motion
Clinical implications for muscular age related changes
slowed movements
increased fatigue
decreased ROM
Unsteady gait -> increased risk of falls
Age related Skeletal Changes
Cartiliage changes
loss of bone mass and density
intevetebral discs flatten
Senile postural changes
Strategies to reverse slow, or compensate for skeletal changes
postural exercises
weight bearing exercises to decrease bone loss
nutritional, hormonal, and medical therapies
Clinical implications for skeletal age related changes
maintenance of weightbearing is important got joint health and mobility
increased risk of falls and fractures
Age Related Neuro Changes
Atrophy of nerve cells
changes in brain morphology
decreased cerebral blood flow
slowing of neural processes
changes in spinal cord
Age related tremors
Clinical implications for neuro age related changes
decreased speed and coordincation
decreased fine motor control
reaction time and movement time increased
learning and memory may be affected
Problems in homeostatic regulation
Strategies to reverse slow, or compensate for neuro changes
correct medical problems (blood flow)
improve health
increase levels of physical activity for increased neuronal branching
Provide strategies for motor learning and control
Age related vision changes
Presbyopia
Decreased adapation to light and dark
loss of color discrimiation
decreased pupil reaction
decreased corneal reflex
reduced oculomotor reponses
Age-related Macular Degeneration
appears as a blank spot in the central vision
Wet and Dry: wet progresses quickly and can be treated
Scotomas of all sizes and shapes can appear
Magnifier is not indicated
Diabetic Retinopathy
causes blurry or hazy vision in the central and peripheral vision
can develop from type 1 or 2
nonproliferative: earl stage of the disease, symptoms are not noticable or mild
Prolifertiave: new blood vessel growth in retina causing scar formation or retinal detachment (can lead to total blindness
Glaucoma
chronically elevated pressure in the eye that causes optic nerve atrophy or loss of peripheral vision
starts peripherally and moved more central
Medical intervention is available to decrease pressures
Cataracts
lens hardening or thickening
decreased acuity and gradual loss of vision
Central vision is primarily affected
overall hazy and blurry vision
may require surgery
Homonymous Hemianopsia
Result of CVA
half of visual field is lost in each eye
nasal or temporal half
Strategies to reverse slow, or compensate for vision changes
maximize visual function
work in adequate light
provide eye patch for diplopia
assist in color discrimination
provide other sensory cues
Age related hearing loss
Conductive: mechanical hearing loss due to damage to outer ear
Sensorineural: certral or neural hearing loss
Presbycusis: sensorineural hearing loss due to aging
Strategies to reverse slow, or compensate for auditory changes
Minimize auditory distractions
use nonverbal communication
provide written directions
provide assistive devices for the home
Age related vestibular changes
decreased number of vestibular neurons
diminished acuity
altered sensory organization
decreased postural responses -> increased fall risk, decreased balance
Meinieres disease
episodic attacks of tinnitus, dizziness, sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
brief episodes of vertigo- less than one minute
common in older adults
