Module 1 - Ageing in Australia

Question 1

In Australia, at what age are you considered older?

Answer 1

65 years and over for Australians

50 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Question 2

What is age is categorised as Young-Old?

Answer 2

60 to 74 years

Question 3

What is age is categorised as Middle Old?

Answer 3

75 to 84 years

Question 4

What is age is categorised Old-Old?

Answer 4

85 to 100 years

Question 5

What is age is categorised as Centenarians?

Answer 5

100 years and over.

Question 6

Life expectancy for a boy born in 2015-2017?

Answer 6

80.5 years

Question 7

Life expectancy for a girl born in 2015-2017?

Answer 7

84.6 years

Question 8

What groups in the older populations face adversity and inequality?

Name five groups.

Answer 8

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Culturally and linguistically diverse groups
• Veterans of the Australian Defence Force or an allied defence force (or the spouse, widow or widower of a veteran)
• Older people who live in rural or remote areas
• People who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+) communities

Question 9

In 2016, what percentage of older Australians over the age of 65 were born overseas?

Answer 9

33%

Question 10

Describe the wear-and tear theory of aging.

Answer 10

Humans have vital parts that run down with time leading to ageing and death.

The faster an organism lives, the faster it dies.

Question 11

Describe the endocrine theory of ageing.

Answer 11

The hypothalamus and pituitary are responsible for changes in hormone production and response resulting in the organisms decline.

Question 12

What biological and lifestyle choices can accelerate the process of ageing?

Answer 12

• Gender
• race
• relationship status
• occupation
• socioeconomic status
• smoking
• physical activity
• ill health
• certain medication

Question 13

What happens to the nervous system when we age?

Answer 13

• Response to stimuli id reduced.
• Perception is reduced.

Question 14

What happens to the respiratory system when we age?

Answer 14

Reduction in oxygen delivery due to lower elasticity of the lung tissue and thickening of the alveolar walls.

Question 15

What happens to the integumentary system when we age?

Answer 15

• The dermis thins
• The ability to sweat diminishes
• Reduced protection from UV Rays
• Vitamin D production decreases.
• Blood vessels become more frail
• fat cell layer thins, reducing protection from trauma and reduces insulation.

Question 16

What happens to the immune system when we age?

Answer 16

Impaired ability to fight off disease and infection.

Question 17

What happens to our skeletal muscle when we age?

Answer 17

Loss in function as muscle size, strength, function and quality decline.

Question 18

What happens to the digestive system when we age?

Answer 18

Reduced digestion and nutrient absorption

Question 19

The WHO describes Health Ageing as:

Answer 19

Being able to do the things we value for as long as possible!

Question 20

What are the factors that can influence an older person’s ability to remain healthy and to continue to live with purpose as they age?

Answer 20

Behavioural and biomedical risk factors and ongoing social and mental wellbeing.

Question 21

THE ROLE OF THE NURSE In terms of caring for older Australians, the Australian College of Nursing believes that all nurses… Name the four points.

Answer 21

1. Have a critical role in promoting and supporting health ageing. 2. Support Older Australians to live in the setting of their choice and receive services that promote independence, meet their preferences and facilitate social connection. 3. Should identify opportunities to support healthy ageing initiatives that include reablement programmes, in all settings. 4. Nurses must be competent to recognise and respond to deterioration, cognitive and functional decline in older Australians.

Question 22

What is ageism?

Answer 22

• The stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age.
• The last acceptable form of discrimination

Question 23

THE ROLE OF THE NURSE

International Council of Nurses (ICN) Code of Ethics (2008) state that:

Answer 23

“Inherent in nursing is a respect for human rights, including cultural rights, the right to life and choice, to dignity and to be treated with respect. Nursing care is respectful of and unrestricted by considerations of age, colour, creed, culture, disability or illness, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, politics, race or social status”.

Question 24

When was the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety established?

Answer 24

8th October 2018

Question 25

What is the purpose of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety?

Answer 25

To investigate the quality of care provided in Residential and Home Aged Care to senior Australians, but also include Young Australians with disabilities living in Residential Aged Care settings.

Question 26

What are the terms of reference of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety?

Name the five terms.

Answer 26

1. The quality of care provided to older Australians, and the extent of substandard care;

2. The challenge of providing care to Australians with disabilities living in residential aged care, particularly younger people with disabilities;

3. The challenge of supporting the increasing number of Australians suffering dementia and addressing their care needs as they age;

4. The future challenges and opportunities for delivering aged care services in the context of changing demographics, including in remote, rural and regional Australia;

5. Any other matters that the Royal Commission considers necessary.