1. Created By: Tristan Barter
Geriatric Care
Created By: Tristan Barter

2. Myths
Elderly people are incompetent and incapable of making decisions or handling their own affairs.
Most elderly live in nursing homes
All elderly people live in poverty

3. Myths Older people are lonely and unhappy Elderly do not want to work
“Old Age” begins a 65
Retirement ends your active life

4. Physical Changes of Aging
Most physical changes that occur with aging are gradual and take place over a long period of time. In addition, the rate and degree of change varies among individuals.
Factors such as disease can increase the speed and degree of the changes. Lifestyle, nutrition, economic status, and social environment can also have effects.
If an individual can recognize the changes as a/an normal part of aging, the individual can usually learn to adapt to & cope with change

5. Having Fun Yet?

6. Integumentary System Changes
Production of new skin cells decreases
Oil and Sweat glands become less active
Circulation decreases
Fatty tissue layer of skin diminishes
Lines and wrinkles appear
Nails become thick, tough, and brittle
Increased sensitivity to temperature
Hair losses color, and hair loss occurs
Skin becomes less elastic & dry
Itching is common
Dark yellow or brown colored spots appear
Senile lentigines (liver spots)

7. Respiratory Changes

8. Respiratory Changes Respiratory muscles become weaker
Rib cage more rigid
Alveoli thinner & less elastic which decreases exchange of gases - emphysema
Bronchioles lose elasticity
Changes in larynx lead to higher pitched & weaker voice
Chronic diseases may decrease the efficiency of the respiratory system even more severely

9. Respiratory Changes Changes may cause the elderly to experience:
Dyspnea
Breathing increases in rate
Difficulty coughing up secretions
Increases susceptibility to infections such as a cold or pneumonia

10. Nervous System Changes

11. Nervous System Changes
Blood flow to brain decreases & there is a progressive loss of brain cells - - Interferes with
Thinking - Reacting
Interpreting - Remembering
Senses of taste, smell, vision, & hearing are diminished
Nerve endings less sensitive
Decreased ability to respond to pain and other stimuli
Decrease in taste& smell frequently affects appetite

12. Nervous System Changes
Decreased sensation to pain & other stimuli = more susceptible
Burns
Frostbite
Cuts
Fractures
Muscle strain and other injuries

13. Nervous System Changes
Changes in hearing
Hearing loss usually gradual
Person may speak louder than usual
Ask for words to be repeated
Not hear high frequency sounds
May not hear well in crowded places

14. Nervous System Changes
Changes in vision
Problems reading small print
Seeing objects at a distance
Decrease in peripheral vision
Decrease in night vision
Increased sensitivity to glare
Cataracts
Glaucoma

15. Digestive Changes

16. Digestive Changes Fewer digestive juices and enzymes produced
Muscle action becomes slower & peristalsis decreases
Teeth are lost
Liver function decreases

17. Dysphagia is frequent complaint
Digestive Changes
Dysphagia is frequent complaint
Less saliva
Slower gag reflex
Loss of teeth
Poor fitting dentures
Slower digestion of food
indigestion

18. Digestive Changes Decrease peristalsis Decrease sensation of taste
Increase flatulence (gas)
Constipation
Decrease sensation of taste
Poor appetite
Poor diet

19. Urinary Changes

20. Urinary Changes Kidneys decrease in size & become less efficient
Bladder becomes less efficient
May not hold as much
May not empty complete
Incontinence

21. Endocrine Changes

22. Endocrine Changes
Increased production of some hormones and decreased of others
Immune system less effective
BMR decreases
Intolerance to glucose

23. Reproductive System Changes

24. Reproductive System Changes
Decrease of estrogen / progesterone in female
Thinning of vaginal wall
Decrease vaginal secretions
Inflammation of vagina common

25. Reproductive System Changes
Weakness in supporting tissue:
Uterus sags downward
(Uterine prolapse)
Breasts sag when fat redistributed
Decrease in Testosterone
Slow production of sperm
Response to sexual stimuli slower
Testes smaller less firm

26. Reproductive System Changes
Male and Female
Sexual desire may or may not decrease
Advantages of sex in elderly
Improves muscle tone & circulation
Pain from arthritis seems to decrease

27. Psychosocial Changes

28. Psychosocial Changes
Some individual cope with psychosocial changes, and others experience extreme frustration and mental distress
Fears of a sick person:
Death
Chronic illness
Loss of function
Pain

29. Psychosocial Changes Dealing with fears created by an illness:
Listening
Patience
Understanding
Provide support

30. Diseases

31. Diseases Diseases: CVA Arteriosclerosis Atherosclerosis
Cause TIA’s mini strokes which result in temporary periods of diminished blood flow to the brain.

32. Diseases Dementia Acute dementia Chronic dementia
Loss of mental ability characterized by a decrease in intellectual ability, loss of memory, impaired judgement, personality change, and disorientation
Acute dementia
When the symptoms are caused by temporary reason:
High fever, dehydration, hypoxia
Chronic dementia
When symptoms are caused by permanent, irreversible damage to brain cells

33. Diseases
Alzheimer’s Disease Form of dementia that causes progressive changes in brain cells

34. Reality Orientation

35. Reality Orientation Address person by name preferred
Avoid: sweetie, baby, honey
State your name, correct elderly if calls you by the wrong name
Make reference to day, time, place
Use clocks, calendars, bulletin bd.

36. Reality Orientation Keep individual oriented to day night cycles:
Regular clothes during the day
Open curtains during the day]
Close curtains at night
Pajamas at night

37. Reality Orientation
Speak slowly, clearly / ask clear & simple questions
Never rush or hurry the individual
Repeat instructions patiently, allow time for individual to respond
Encourage conversations about familiar things or current events

38. Reality Orientation
Encourage use of TV, radio without over stimulating them
Be sure individual uses sensory aids
Keep familiar objects in view
Avoid moving furniture & belongings
Do not agree with incorrect statements

39. Reality Orientation Do not hesitate to touch communicate with person
Avoid arguments
Encourage independence and self help whenever possible

40. Meeting the Elderly Needs

41. Meeting the Elderly Needs
Culture:
the values, beliefs, ideas, customs, and characteristics that are passed from one generation to the next.
Areas affected by an individual’s culture:
Language
Food habits
Dress
Work
Leisure activities
Health care

42. Meeting the Elderly Needs
The spiritual beliefs and practices of an individual is called their religion. It is important to accept an individual’s belief without bias, and that health care workers not force their own religious beliefs on the individual being cared for.
Respect and Consideration of a persons religious beliefs
Proper treatment of religious articles
Allow person to practice religion
Honor request for special food
Provide privacy during clergy visits

43. Meeting the Elderly Needs
Abuse
Physical
Verbal
Psychological
Sexual
Report any abuse observed to proper agency
Reasons elderly do not report abuse
Feel they deserve the abuse
Want to protect abuser

44. Next Step: Remove Toothpicks from your eyes
Next Step: Remove Toothpicks from your eyes. This presentation brought to you courtesy of Tristan Barter’s Return to Work.