Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Older Adult OT > Cognitive Changes with Aging > Flashcards

Cognitive Changes with Aging Flashcards

(50 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Developmental life span approach to aging

A

Cognition is a lifelong process

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Basic cognitive processes

A

Foundational for higher order thought
Include sensory processes, perceptual processes, attention, short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Higher-order cognitive processes

A

Include executive functioning, problem-solving, everyday cognition, language production and speech comprehension, wisdom, and expertise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Changes in sensory processes

A

Decreased auditory and visual processing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Changes in perception

A

Decreased auditory and visual processing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Changes in attention

A

No difference in sustained (focused) attention
Potentially decreased selective attention in older adults
Significant decline in alternating and divided attention

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Sustained (focused) attention

A

Ability to concentrate on a single task for any period of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Selective attention

A

Ability to focus on a task while simultaneously suppressing irrelevant distracting stimuli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Alternating attention

A

Ability to switch between tasks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Divided attention

A

Ability to pay attention to two tasks at once

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Changes to short-term memory and prospective memory

A

Possible changes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Changes to episodic memory

A

A significant decline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Changes to sensory and procedural memory

A

Minimal to no changes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Sensory memory

A

Brief store of sensory information before transferring to short-term memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Short-term memory

A

Stores information for 15-20 seconds without rehearsal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Working memory

A

Stores, maintains, and actively manipulates information

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Long-term memory

A

Storage of information for an extended period of time
Includes explicit and implicit memory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Explicit (declarative) memory

A

Recollection of facts and events

Includes:
Semantic memory: understanding of meanings, understandings, and conceptual facts of the word (episodic memory can inform semantic memory)
Episodic memory: Memory of autobiographical events and understanding how, where, and when it occurred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Implicit (procedural) memory

A

Stores information for motor-based skills and behaviors, habits, emotional associations, priming, and classical conditioning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Prospective memory

A

Ability to remember future tasks without a memory aid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Normal cognitive changes

Study These Flashcards
A

Slower thought processes
Caution and hesitation
Difficulty with name-face recognition
Past recognition with prompting
Occasional word finding difficulty
Able to find misplaced items

22
Q

Abnormal cognitive changes

Study These Flashcards
A

Thinking and actions are not the same
Problems with initiating tasks
Cannot place people
Past and present indistinguishable
Personality changes

23
Q

How can we optimize cognitive aging

Study These Flashcards
A

Physical activity
Mentally stimulating activities that are novel, mentally challenging, or learning a new skill
Social engagement: regular contact with family and friends, participation in hobbies and leisure activities with others, and social support from external sources

24
Q

Subjective expression of illness

Study These Flashcards
A

Individuals’ care needs and support will differ from person to person

25
Environmental Press Model
Interactions between an individual's abilities and the fit with their environment will determine performance Lack of fit to the environment such as overstimulation or understimulation produce boredom, social isolation, apathy, symptoms of depression, and frustration
26
Mild cognitive impairment
Transitional state between normal aging and pathological decline Presents with an elevated risk of progression to Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive decline in complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, or language Decline may be reported by individual, knowledgeable informant, or concern of clinician based on testing ADLs are intact but require more effort
27
Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Primarily affects memory and the individual may begin to forget information that they would previously have recalled
28
Nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment
Affects thinking skills other than memory, including the ability to make decisions, judge time or sequence steps for complex tasks, or visual perception
29
Intervention for mild cognitive impairment
Memory support systems such as notebooks, calendars, lists, apps with reminders Physical exercise and active lifestyles Multicomponent programs such as memory training, external aids, and stress reduction
30
Progression to dementia
Preclinical: Before changes in cognition and everyday activities are detected Mild cognitive impairment leading to Alzheimer's Disease: Cognitive symptoms emerge but function is still relatively unimpaired - Not everyone with MCI develops AD Alzheimer's Disease: Day to day function is impaired
31
Dementia
Multiple cognitive and intellectual deficiencies and decline involving memory, problems with language, impairment of motor skills, inability to recognize familiar people or objects, and impairments in planning, organizing, and abstract reasoning
32
Memory change in dementia
Individuals will first lose memory of higher order IADLs and then BADLs Working memory is affected first which leads to difficulties recalling new information and using it Semantic memory is more stable but later stages of disease will impact ability to recall nouns, verbs, and names Procedural memory is most durable
33
Types of dementia
Lewy Body Vascular Frontotemporal dementia Alzheimer's Disease
34
Lewy Body Dementia
Young onset (50-55 years) Affects 50% of patients with Parkinson's Disease Progressive and gradually worsening Symptoms - Falling - Rigidity - Difficulty swallowing - Incontinence - Parkinson's like symptoms (shuffling gait, tremors, rigidity, flat affect) - Auditory or visual hallucinations - Fluctuating cognition with variable attention and alertness
35
Vascular dementia
Caused by stroke, uncontrolled hypertension, heart diseases, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, smoking or genetics Sudden onset Symptoms (vary based on part of brain affected) - Emotional and energy changes - Cognition changes: Decrease in judgment, memory, disorientation, and word-finding - Variable and inconsistent behavior
36
Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia
Affect/personality changes Rude and mean behavior Language loss
37
Alzheimer's Disease
Progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of function and death of nerve cells in several areas of the brain No known cure Most common form of dementia
38
Cause of Alzheimer's Disease
Age (65+, risk doubles every 5 years) Family history Genetics
39
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
Rule out any other potential causes of confusion such as medication, hearing or vision loss, depression, alcohol, thyroid problems, UTIs, vitamin deficiency, or delerium Physical and medical history Blood work Neurological exam Medication review CT scan, MRI, PET scan, spinal fluid test of plaque and tangle proteins Neuropsychological testing
40
Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease
Medication Address safety (environment), cognitive functioning, functional mobility, self care, caregiver coping and support, and behavioral management Compensatory environmental modifications - Remove clutter - add signs - Adaptive equipment that helps and does not involve new learning Involve caregivers Cover mirrors in bathrooms in later stages Use old learning proverbs, songs, and memories
41
OT clinical strategies for Alzheimer's Disease
Address cognitive processes while actively participating in occupational performance Practice and rehearse Relate to previous knowledge Present information directly Make interventions fun and interesting Decrease distractions Consider habits and timing of activities Utilize as many senses as you can Make interventions relaxing Break down tasks
42
What does Allen's Cognitive Assessment (Allen's Battery) include?
Allen Cognitive Level Screen Allen Diagnostic Module Routine Task Inventory Cognitive Performance Test
43
Allen's Cognitive Levels
Level 1: Automatic reactions Level 2: Postural actions Level 3: Manual actions Level 4: Goal directed actions Developmental age of 4-10 to 12 years Level 5: Exploratory actions (may have mild cognitive impairment) Developmental age of Teens to early 20s Level 6: Normal planned actions
44
Allen Cognitive Level 4
Able to perform goal directed activities and spontaneous actions Unsafe performance of activities Visual cues Performs one step directions Able to do repetitive tasks Utilizes procedural memory BADLs are intact Can use strategies for sequencing One hour attention span
45
Allen Cognitive Level 3
Able to complete functional actions Safety issues May be disoriented x3 and gets easily lost Partially completes task Can complete tactile activties Does well with repetitive/procedural tasks Short attention span (30 minutes) but can extend to external environments Developmental age of 18 months - 3 years
46
Allen Cognitive Level 2 (late stage)
Able to complete postural actions (sits, walks) Performs repetitive actions (pacing) Safety concerns Very short attention span (5-15 minutes) Some assistance with ADLs Developmental age of 12-18 months
47
Allen Cognitive Level 1 (End Stage)
Able to complete automatic reactions Developmental age of an infant
48
Communication with Alzheimer's Disease
Redirect if upset Agree with person ( if that is their reality then it is real)
49
Behavioral challenges in Alzheimer's Disease
Sundowner Syndrome Rummaging, Pillaging, and Hoarding Pacing and wandering Catastrophic behaviors
50
Strengths often retained by persons with dementia
Emotions Sociability Long term memory Humor Sensory awareness Movement Music Over learned skills

Older Adult OT (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions