Gerontology and Aging Quiz

Aging in Canada

• Life expectancy has increased, with those aged 65+ now comprising over 18% of the Canadian population.
• Racial disparities exist in life expectancy.
• Medicare is the primary health insurance for older adults, especially low-income individuals.
• Acute conditions, while less frequent, can have longer recovery periods in older adults.
• Chronic conditions are a major contributor to mortality.
• Baby boomers represent a diverse older population with higher education, income and higher tech usage than previous generations.

Aging Theories

• Stochastic theories attribute aging to random assaults from the internal and external environments (e.g., cross-linking, free radicals).
• Non-Stochastic theories consider aging a predetermined process (e.g., apoptosis, genetic programming).

Roles of Gerontological Nurses

• Gerontological nurses act as healers, caregivers, educators, advocates, and innovators.
• The specialty of gerontological nursing emerged in the 1970s.

Aging Population Demographics

• Comorbidity: The presence of multiple chronic conditions.
• Compression of Mortality: Postponing serious illness and decline to extend healthy life expectancy.
• Life Expectancy: The predicted length of a person's life.

Human Life Expectancy

• Current human life expectancy is 78.7 years (compared to 59.7 years in 1930).
• The aging baby boomer population has influenced and impacted healthcare. Older adults are viewed more positively and with greater understanding and concern regarding their knowledge and lived experience.

Ageism

• Ageism is prejudice and stereotyping based solely on a person's age.

Federal Old Age Insurance Law

• The Social Security Act (1935) significantly improved the lives of older Americans.

Age Categories

• Chronological age: Years lived.
• Functional age: Physical, psychological, and social function.
• Perceived age: How others estimate a person's age.
• Age identity: How a person perceives their own age.

Factors Affecting Life Expectancy

• Advancements in disease control and technology.
• Lower infant/child mortality.
• Improved sanitation.
• Better living conditions.

Compression of Morbidity Hypothesis

• Proposed by James Fries, it suggests delaying the onset of serious illness/decline to extend healthy years of life.

Leading Causes of Death in Aging Population

• Diseases of the heart
• Malignant neoplasms
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases
• Cerebral vascular disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• Diabetes

Gerontological Nursing Complexity

• The diversity of chronic conditions, risks of complications, and resource issues pose challenges.

Theories of Aging

• Cross-linking: Cellular division is threatened by radiation or chemical reactions.
• Free radicals/Lipofuscin: Oxidative metabolism damages cells.
• Wear and tear: Repetitive use, injury or stress damages body parts.
• Mutation accumulation: Declining force of natural selection with age.
• Antagonistic pleiotropy: Effects of mutants in late life could have benefits in early life.
• Disposable soma: Aging considered to be determined by efficient use of energy rather than genes.
• Bio-gerontology: Pathogens may influence physiological changes.
• Autoimmune reactions: Changes in immune function.
• Neuroendocrine/chemical: Brain and endocrine gland changes.
• Radiation: Radiation induces mutations impacting aging.
• Apoptosis: Programmed cell death.
• Programmed genes: Genes dictating lifespan.
• Error: Genetic mutations causing organ failure.
• Environmental: Factors including noise, pollution, and living conditions.

Sociological Theories of Aging

• Disengagement theory: Gradual disengagement between the older person and society.
• Activity theory: Older adults should continue middle-aged lifestyles.
• Continuity theory: Personality and behaviours remain relatively unchanged.
• Subculture theory: Older adults form a distinct group with unique norms.
• Age stratification theory: Sharing common experiences within age group.

Psychological Theories of Aging

• Developmental task theory: Meeting challenges and adapting to life situations.
• Functional consequences theory: Holistically promoting wellness by addressing interlinked body, mind, and spirit.
• Theory of thriving: Encouraging continuous growth, managing life transitions.
• Successful aging: Considering physical, mental, and self-assessment for life satisfaction.

Age-Related Changes (Physical/Psychological)

• Physical appearance: Grey hair, wrinkles, height loss, cartilage weakening, reduced lung capacity.
• Respiratory: Lower respiratory capacity, reduces cough efficiency.
• Cardiovascular: Reduced heart efficiency.
• Gastrointestinal (GI): Impaired taste, less saliva production, digestion issues.
• Urinary tract: Reduced kidney function, bladder capacity.
• Musculoskeletal: Muscle mass and strength loss, bones become more brittle.
• Nervous system: Brain volume reduction, slower reflexes, less effective temperature control.
• Sensory Organs: Visual, smell, and taste reductions, ability to sense touch changes.
• Immune system: Decline in T-cell activities.

Assessing the Geriatric Client

• Client interview
• Physical assessment.
• Functional assessment focusing on activities of daily living (ADLs) and Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

Nursing Actions and Interventions

• Preventing dehydration (fluid management)
• Ensuring appropriate clothing and temperature.
• Encouraging physical activity and maintaining hygiene.
• Monitoring intake of prescribed medications.
• Preventing falls.

Holistic Health Care Model

• Treating the patient holistically, considering the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of the patient.
• Recognising the person as part of their environment.
• Understanding patient values and beliefs.

Nursing Process (ADPIE)

• Assessment (A): Collecting, validating, and documenting patient data using reliable methods.
• Diagnosis (D): Identifing patient problems.
• Planning (P): Setting goals and interventions that are SMART.
• Implementation (I): Executing planned interventions.
• Evaluation (E): Assessing the effectiveness of the interventions.

PIECES Model

• A framework for understanding complex client issues.
• P=physical, I=intellectual, E=emotional, C=capabilities, E=environment, S=social.

Other Important Considerations

• Age related changes: Increased risk of complications in older adults, often have a smaller margin of physiological reserve.
• Latrogenic Complications: Complications inadvertently caused by medical procedures.
• Nosocomial Infections: Hospital-acquired infections.

Test your knowledge on various aspects of aging and gerontology. This quiz covers health issues, population statistics, and physiological changes associated with aging. Gain insights into the challenges faced by older adults and the field of gerontological nursing.