C1: The physical changes of ageing Flashcards
Describe the cardiovascular changes during the ageing period?
The risk of cardiovascular disease increases. (disease of the heart & blood vessels).
Risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease?
(7 examples)
1) family history of heart disease
2) ethnic background
3) poorly controlled diabetes
4) rise in high blood pressure
5) overweight
6) smoking
7) lack of exercise
How does the heart change during ageing?
(5 examples)
- Narrowed arteries
- Narrowed blood vessels
- Arteries ‘clog up’ - increased risk of strokes & heart attacks
- heart increases in size
- valves thicken and stiffen
Health factors affect heart disease in older age? (5 examples)
Lifestyle factors that increase risk of cardiovascular disease? (4 examples)
1)
- Genes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
2)
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Lack of exercise
- Poor nutritious diet
Explain the degeneration of the nervous tissue?
Brain function and nervous system declines.
What does degeneration of the nervous tissue cause? (6 examples)
- Increase in reaction time
- Difficulty receiving/processing info
- Decline in short-term memory
- Reduction in reflexes
- Decline in verbal capability
- Effects on senses
How does ageing affect degeneration of the sense organs?
(taste, touch, sound, smell, sight)
Taste: taste buds are decreased in size, number, sensitivity. Produces less saliva.
Touch: Loss of skin sensitivity.
Sound: Harder to hear high frequency. Changes in inner ear (loss of sensitivity).
Smell: smell diminishes, fewer nerve endings, and less mucus in nasal cavity.
Sight: ability to focus is weaker, sensitive to light.
What is osteoarthritis?
A degenerative disease, a result of wear and tear of the joints and the ageing process.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis? (4)
- Thinning and roughening of the joint cartilage.
- Pain and swelling in joints.
- Bony outgrowths.
- Difficulty moving.
What causes reduced absorption of nutrients in elderly? (2)
- energy requirements change especially if physical activity is reduced.
- older people need more protein-rich foods.
What issues may the elderly have with maintaining a nutritional diet?
(2)
- Buying fresh fruit + veg is difficult and expensive.
- Difficulty preparing and eating food.
What are the effects of deficiency in vitamin C? (2)
- Slows healing.
- Slows the development of healthy tissue.
Why are elderly people at an increased risk of dehydration? (1)
- Their sensation of thirst decreases.
What is dementia?
What are the 2 major types of dementia?
1) Dementia is a brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks and activities.
2)
- Alzheimer’s
- Vascular dementia
Symptoms of vascular dementia? (5)
- Problems with language
- Memory loss
- Personality changes
- Disorientation
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Early stage Alzheimer’s:
Effects? (2)
Support? (2)
Later stage Alzheimer’s:
Effects? (2)
Support? (2)
Final stage Alzheimer’s:
Effects? (3)
Support? (2)
EARLY STAGE:
1) - decline in short-term memory
- difficulty completing routine tasks
2) - informal help with everyday tasks
- medication
LATER STAGE
1) - changes in behaviour
- language impairment
2) - medication
- support in home with tasks/personal care
FINAL STAGE:
1) - unable to recognise family/friends
- lack of control of bodily functions
- death
2) - hospice care
- end of life care
What are the physical changes in the elderly? (5)
- Skin loses its elasticity - lack of collagen.
- Bones become less dense .
- Loss of heigh - spinal disc compact.
- loss of weight - loss of muscle mass.
- weakened immune system.
What are the physical effects of illness of the elderly? (2)
- pain/discomfort
- body is less able to fight infection.
What are the intellectual effects of illness on the elderly? (2)
- short-term memory loss.
- difficulty in verbal communication.
What are the social effects of illness on the elderly? (2)
- reduces ability to socialise with friends (physical).
- impacts on verbal communication makes socialising difficult.
What are the emotional effects of illness on the elderly? (2)
- emotional distress.
- brings family closer together.
Physical impacts of depression? (2)
Phycological impacts of depression? (2)
1)
- Weight loss / loss of appetite.
- Difficulty sleeping.
2)
- Suicidal thoughts / suicide.
- Social isolation.
