LO Flashcards
What is mobility?
The state or quality of being mobile or moveable, necessary to perform ADLs
ADLs refer to Activities of Daily Living
What structures determine mobility?
Muscles, bones, and nerves
What can cause immobility?
- Stroke
- Fractures
- Morbid obesity
- Physical trauma
- Joint pain
- Stiff ligaments
- Loss of muscle mass
How does aging affect mobility?
Aging impairs mobility by decreasing muscle tone and efficiency of the nervous system
What are the consequences of impaired mobility in older adults?
- Increased likelihood of falling
- More difficulty performing ADLs
- Negative impact on perfusion, gas exchange, cognition, socialization
- Increased fear of falling
- Decreased bone density
What happens to renal activation of vitamin D with aging?
Decreases, leading to brittle bones
What is included in a focused mobility assessment?
- Initial approach (ABCCS, LOTARP for pain, vitals)
- Health history
- Palpate for bilateral hand grip strength
- Assess ROM and strength of bilateral arms and legs
- Examine all joints
What are the signs of optimal mobility?
- Gross simple movements
- Fine complex movements
- Coordination
What are the signs of impaired mobility?
- Limitation in physical movement
- Problems with coordination
- Guarding
What is osteoporosis characterized by?
Osteoclast function > osteoblasts leading to excessive resorption of calcium
What triggers increased osteoclast activity in osteoporosis?
- vitamin D/calcium imbalance
- increased PTH
- Decrease in estrogen
What T score indicates osteoporosis?
T score of <-2.5
What strategies can manage osteoporosis?
- Weight-bearing exercises
- High calcium diet
- Good overall nutrition
- Screening for osteopenia/osteoporosis
- Assistive devices
- Environmental modifications
- Hip protectors and fall mats
- Turning clients to prevent pressure ulcers
What are the four components of cognition?
- Input
- Processing
- Storing
- Retrieving
What changes occur in cognition due to aging?
Loss of efficiency and slight memory loss
What are the signs of optimal cognition in older adults?
- Higher order cognitive functions
- Abstract reasoning
- Insight
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
What are the types of impaired cognition?
- Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
- Serious cognitive decline (dementia, neurocognitive disorders)
What are common age-related changes in memory?
- Slower short-term/working memory
- Compensatory actions
- Slower retrieval
What are risk factors for impaired cognition in older adults?
- Genetics
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Atherosclerosis
- Untreated depression
- Physical inactivity
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Fever
- Toxic environmental exposure
What does the initial approach for a focused cognition assessment include?
- ABCCS
- LOTARP
- Vitals
- Conversation to look for memory loss and confusion
- Medical history and medications
What characterizes vascular dementia?
Caused by cerebrovascular disease, frequently resulting from multiple cerebral infarctions
What is the progression of vascular dementia?
Stepwise progression
What are primary management strategies for vascular dementia?
- Healthy eating (low sodium diet)
- Regular exercise
- Manage stress
- Quit smoking
