Physical Challenges of Old Age

Question 1

Is Degenerative Aging universal in all forms?

Answer 1

No; it is not universal in all life forms.

-example: trees grow perpetually (do not die from “old age” they die from being killed)

Question 2

How long is the human lifespan?

Answer 2

100 years

Question 3

Telomeres

Answer 3

Caps on the end of chromosomes (telomeres fray with each cell division)

Question 4

Telomerase

Answer 4

Enzyme maintains telomeres (fraying of chromosomes, disrupts cell functioning~production of proteins)

Question 5

The Aging Process consists of what 3 last steps?

Answer 5

1) Chronic Disease
2) Disability
3) Death

Question 6

Osteoporosis (Chronic Disease)

Answer 6

Bone loss

Question 7

Atherosclerosis (Chronic Disease)

Answer 7

Heart Disease

Question 8

Instrumental ADL

Answer 8

trouble performing tasks to live independently

Question 9

Basic ADL

Answer 9

incapable of performing self-care activities

Question 10

When does the Social Economic Status health gap become visible?

Answer 10

It becomes visible in middle age

Question 11

The poverty-illness relationship is?

Answer 11

It is bidirectional

Question 12

Affluent people live…?

Answer 12

Affluent people live longer and enjoy better health.

Question 13

When systematic disadvantage occurs, it limits what?

Answer 13

Systematic disadvantage LIMITS personal choice**

ex. the cost of eating healthy

Question 14

Typical Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)

Answer 14

30s-60s: Normal aging
60s-70s: Chronic diseases
80s:Need help w/ ADLS
90s: Death

Question 15

If Poor Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)

Answer 15

30s: Normal aging
40s-50s: Chronic diseases
50s-mid 60s: Need help w/ ADLS
late 60s-90s: Death

Question 16

If Male Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)

Answer 16

30s-60s: Normal aging
60s-late 70s: Chronic diseases
late 70s- early 80s: Need help w/ ADLS
early 80s-90s: Death

Question 17

If Female Path (based off socioeconomic status & gender)

Answer 17

30s-60s: Normal Aging
60s-late 70s: Chronic diseases
late 70s- early 80s: Need help w/ ADLS
mid 80s-90s: Death

Question 18

What could be defined as “successful aging”?

Answer 18

Living fully in the face of chronic disease;
finding meaning &Generavitity in daily life regardless of how the body behaves (self-efficacy).
-Adjusting to Chronic Disease
-Having support to function

Question 19

What are some interventions for “Older Eyes”?

Answer 19

• use strong indirect lighting
• avoid florescent lighting-especially on bare floors (produces glare)
• use adjustable lighting + larger numerals
• low vision aids such as maginfiers
• cataract

Question 20

What are some interventions for hearing loss?

Answer 20

• avoid high noise environments
• carpeting in house
• replace noisy appliances
• face to face when talking to a person and speak loudly
• Avoid elderspeak

Question 21

What is key to prevent hearing loss?

Answer 21

AVOIDING EXCESSIVE NOISE; rates of age-associated hearing problems have doubled since the 70s!

Question 22

How do motor abilities change in later life? (2)

Answer 22

-decline in reaction time to sensory input
-changes in skeletal structures
-

Question 23

What are some ways the skeletal structure can change?

Answer 23

• Osteoarthritis

- Osteoporosis

Question 24

Osteoarthritis

Answer 24

wearing away of joint cartiliage

Question 25

Osteoporosis

Answer 25

bones become brittle, porous, and fragile. | women are susceptible, hip fractures common problem due to skeletal changes

Question 26

Dementia

Answer 26

any illness that produces serious, progressive, usually irreversible cognitive decline

Question 27

From the time of diagnoses to death how many years does a Dementia patient have?

Answer 27

4 to 8 years

Question 28

What is the number one risk factor for Dementia?

Answer 28

Old-old age (however it can be linked gentically; APOE-4)

Question 29

What are the 2 types of Dementia?

Answer 29

1) Vascular dementia | 2) Alzheimer's

Question 30

Vascular Dementia

Answer 30

Multiple small strokes; impaired vascular system, blood flow to the brain.

Question 31

Alheimer's

Answer 31

nueral atrophy and it byproducts (senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles); attacks the core structure of human consciousness. first show up in hippocampus, then entire cortex.

Question 32

What are some measures to prevent Alheimer's disease?

Answer 32

-efforts to dissolve plaques in the brain of those who already have Alzheimer's has been unsuccessful

Question 33

Why is Early detection key kin preventing Alzheimer's disease?

Answer 33

Able to target amyloid (fatty substance in plaques) to halt neural decay early.

Question 34

Does Alzheimer's have a known cure?

Answer 34

No cure; and no proven effective treatment, but reccomendations- physical and mental exercise.

Question 35

What are 2 goals during the illness Dementia?

Answer 35

1) Protect + keep them functioning as long as possible | 2) Provide caring + loving support

Question 36

What potential interventions can help with Alzheimer symptoms?

Answer 36

- medications - use external aids like note cards to jog memory - focus on safety - nursing home w/ Alzheimer's unit