Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Chapter 29 Gerontology

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Societal Bias Systemic stereotyping and discrimination because of age Elderly are viewed as sick, frail, powerless, sexless, and burdensome Today’s older adults are living longer –Good nutrition, regular exercise, stress reduction, yearly physical exams, no smoking, and new technology

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Facts About Aging Aging is progressive and universal Interest, personal and financial resources, family structure, genetics, and attitude play a part in how one ages

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Facts About Aging Lifestyle a factor –Smoking, misuse of chemicals such as alcohol or drugs, type of diet, and lack of exercise all part of aging –Greater variability among older people than younger groups

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Physiological Changes Not all individuals age the same The body produces smaller amounts of various hormones and other chemicals Every body system undergoes changes, both physiological and psychological

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Physiological Changes Vision –Pupil size diminishes, lens may become cloudy –Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are common

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Physiological Changes Hearing –Hearing loss not uncommon –May be thought to be mentally weak or senile –Presbycusis is normal hearing loss in elderly

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Physiological Changes Taste and smell diminish –Reduced ability to taste could lead to decrease in appetite –Detecting odors becomes difficult and could be dangerous because of the inability to smell smoke or gas

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Integumentary System Aging skin more fragile Sunlight exposure is major cause of wrinkled skin, “liver spots,” leathery looking skin, and cancer Hypothermia and hyperthermia are serious problems

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Nervous System The brain may shrink in size Some memory loss or delay in memory can be expected Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) can cause sudden loss of memory and confusion

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Musculoskeletal System Muscle strength decreases and results in decreased mobility Less flexibility and joints can stiffen Arthritis and osteoporosis are not unusual in older people

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Respiratory System Breathing capacity diminishes Lungs lose their elasticity and older people are prone to pneumonia

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Cardiovascular System Heart disease and blood vessel disorder are major causes of death –Blood vessels lose elasticity –Myocardium may lose the ability to pump blood around the body –Possibility of congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Gastrointestinal System Stomach secretions and peristalsis slow Pernicious anemia can occur Poor eating habits, poor nutrition, over- or under-eating can lead to dental problems

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Gastrointestinal System Poor dental hygiene leads to gum disease and loss of health; this makes chewing food difficult

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Urinary System Kidneys can decrease in size and urine production and output may be less Levels of medication may rise to dangerous levels due to poor filtration Bladder wall becomes more inelastic –Ability to empty the bladder completely is impaired –Residual urine remains in the bladder and can lead to cystitis Urinary incontinence can result from many factors

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Reproductive System Women experience menopause at about age 55 Men continue to produce sperm well after 50 years of age –Testosterone levels diminish and may lead to benign hypertrophy of the prostate –Aging men and women can maintain sexual desires

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Complications Older people at risk for complications as a result of body systems undergoing change –Accidents happen because of impaired vision, sense of smell, and hearing –Malnutrition and anemia can develop because of poor nutrition –Elderly have decreased sensitivity and lack the ability to feel pain –Heat and cold applications can injure the aging

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Complications Older people at risk for complications as a result of body systems undergoing change –Impaired nervous system function may lead to loss of balance, disorientation, and confusion –Due to osteoporosis, bones break more easily –Respiratory infections not unusual –Urinary infections are more common

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Complications Older people at risk for complications as a result of body systems undergoing change –Circulatory problems are common –Enlargement of the prostate makes urination difficult

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Psychological Changes Great variation in psychological functioning of older adults –People who maintain their health are better able to maintain their intelligence Dementia affects memory and cognitive functioning Depression in older adults is not uncommon

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Medical Assistant and the Geriatric Patient Older adults may suffer from many factors coupled with physiological changes and are a special challenge to the medical assistant –Empathize with the patient’s situation –Do not talk to older people as if they were children –Speak slowly, clearly, and have eye contact

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Medical Assistant and the Geriatric Patient Older adults with impairment of memory –Geriatric care poses a challenge when attempting to communicate Older adults with visual impairment Older adults with hearing impairment –Do not approach individual until you make your presence known

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Medical Assistant and the Geriatric Patient Abuse of older adults –Could be physical or emotional abuse –Abuse must be reported by “mandated reporters” –Department of Elder Affairs has abuse hotline –List of signs and symptoms of elder abuse