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

Copyright © 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter 29

Gerontology


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


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


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


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



• Vision– Pupil size diminishes, lens may become cloudy

– Cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are common



• Hearing– Hearing loss not uncommon

– May be thought to be mentally weak or senile

– Presbycusis is normal hearing loss in elderly



• 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


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


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


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


Respiratory System

• Breathing capacity diminishes

• Lungs lose their elasticity and older people are prone to pneumonia


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


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


Gastrointestinal System

• Poor dental hygiene leads to gum disease and loss of health; this makes chewing food difficult


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


Reproductive System

• Women experience menopause at aboutage 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


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


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


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


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


The Medical Assistantand 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



• 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



• 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

Documents

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