1. Chapter 10
Geriatric Care

2. “aging boom”
By the year 2050 it is projected that 21 percent of the American population will be over the age of 65.

3. Spelling Words geriatrics nocturia Alzheimer’s disease incontinence
gerontology dementia
dysphagia arthritis
osteoporosis delirium

4. gerontology - scientific study of aging and the problems of the elderly
geriatric care - care provided to elderly individuals

5. Physical Changes of Aging
integumentary - involving the skin, hair, nails, glands
senile lentigines, called “liver spots”
skin is more dry, less elastic
new skin cell production decreases with age
circulation to the skin decreases causes coldness, dryness
nails become thick and tough

6. Physical Changes of Aging
musculoskeletal - muscles and bones
muscles lose tone, volume, strength
osteoporosis - minerals are lost from bones, causing bones to be brittle and more likely to break
arthritis - inflammation of the joints causing pain
gradual loss in height, slower movement, falls occur easily, sense of balance is less sure

7. Harriette Thompson

8. Physical Changes of Aging
circulatory system - heart, blood vessels, blood
heart muscle is less efficient at pushing blood
blood vessels narrow, become less elastic
blood pressure may increase or decrease
experience weakness, dizziness, numbness in hands or feet, rapid heart rate
moderate exercise stimulates circulation and helps prevent formation of a thrombus (blood clot).

9. Physical Changes of Aging
respiratory system - lungs, breathing issues
emphysema - alveoli (air sacs in lungs) lose their elasticity
dyspnea - difficulty breathing
elderly become more susceptible to infections like pneumonia

10. Physical Changes of Aging
Nervous system - nerves, brain, controls body activities
Blood flow to the brain decreases, progressive loss of brain cells interferes with thinking , reacting, interpreting and remembering
memory loss (usually short term memory)
changes in vision
cataracts - lens of the eye becomes cloudy or opaque
glaucoma - intraocular pressure of the eye increases, interferes with vision
hearing loss decrease in sense of taste and smell
decreased sensation of pain
slower reaction times

11. Physical Changes of Aging
Digestive system -
fewer digestive enzymes are produced
peristalsis decreases
teeth are lost
liver function decreases
dysphagia - difficulty swallowing

12. Physical Changes of Aging
Urinary System - kidneys decrease in size and less efficient with aging
ability of the bladder to hold urine decreases
bladder may not empty completely
nocturia - urination at night
incontinence - inability to control urination

13. Physical Changes of Aging
Endocrine system - some hormones are increased some are decreased with aging
immune system of the body is less effective
more prone to disease
basal metabolic rate decreases, complaints of feeling cold and tired
intolerance to glucose can develop

14. Physical Changes of Aging
Reproductive System
Women -decrease in estrogen and progesterone causes vaginal changes
Prolapsed uterus - supporting tissues causes uterus to sag downward
Men, decreased levels of testosterone, slow production of sperm
Men - testes become smaller, less firm

15. Psychosocial Changes of Aging
disease - any condition that interferes with the normal function of the body.
examples: COPD, heart disease, diabetes
disability - a physical or mental handicap that interferes with normal functions.
examples: inability to walk because of a fractured hip, hearing impairments

16. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
Signs of confusion and disorientation may include:
talking incoherently wandering aimlessly
not knowing their own name not recognizing others
lacking awareness of time or place hallucinating
displaying hostile behavior
paying less attention to personal hygiene
unable to respond to simple commands or follow instructions

17. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
delirium - confusion or disorientation is temporary caused by a treatable condition.
examples: stress/depression, alcohol, urinary tract infection, medications, dehydration

18. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
Damage to the brain can cause chronic confusion:
cerebrovascular accident (stroke) - blood clot obstructs blood flow to brain
arteriosclerosis - blood vessel walls become thick and lose elasticity
atherosclerosis - walls of blood vessels become narrow from fat and mineral deposits
transient ischemic attack (TIA) ministroke

19. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
What is dementia?
A loss of mental ability characterized by a decrease in intellectual ability, loss of memory, impaired judgement, personality change, and disorientation.

20. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
delirium (acute dementia) - reversible, caused by medical problem or medicine
chronic dementia - permanent, irreversible, progressive

21. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
Alzheimer’s disease:
a form of dementia
cause is unknown, but there are many theories
lack a chemical that allows messages to pass between nerve cells in the brain
no cure
has different stages

22. Confusion and Disorientation in the Elderly
Caring for confused individuals:
provide a safe, secure environment
follow a routine
avoid loud noise and crowded rooms
use reality orientation

23. https://quizlet.com/_6c8og9
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