Healthy Aging Exam 1
Gerontology - ANSThe scientific study of the effects of time on human development, specifically
the study of older persons.
Geriatrics - ANSThe medical care of older people.
Senescence - ANSPeriod of life (like adolescence)
Ageism - ANSDiscrimination based on age.
Gerontophobia - ANSAbnormal fear of elderly or one's own aging.
Compare % of 65+ in institutions with % of 85+ in institutions; therefore, describe what is
happening to elders as they age - ANS5% of people over 65 live in institutions. 22% of people
over 85 live in institutions. They become more dependent as they get older because the
incidence of chronic conditions increases the older one gets.
Discuss the impact of increasing #'s of older adult on health care - ANSMajor jump in aging
baby boomers will result in an increased demand on the health care industry.
Gender and ethnicity--who lives longest in the US - ANSIn descending order--White women,
non-white women, white men, non-white men.
Gender and ethnicity—how are the trends are changing for this group - ANSHispanics are
projected to be the greatest increase in elderly population.
Compare the concept of wellness with the medical model of aging by identifying examples of
wellness in patient's lives and wellness behaviors - ANSWellness is more than an absence of
illness. It is a concept of healthy aging that encompasses physical health, mental health and
engagement in life.
What are four key roles in patient's own health and wellness - ANSself-responsibility, nutrition,
physical fitness, and stress management.
Cite predictors of longevity with examples of what we can control and what we have less control
over - ANSLess control over genetics and gender. More control over nutrition, exercise, not
smoking, and having health-seeking behaviors.
State leading causes of death from disease in the 65+ population - ANSheart disease, cancer,
and stroke.
, Immunity theory - ANSAging is the programmed accumulation damage and decline in the
function of the immune system, also called immunosenescence. The damage is a result of
oxidative stress. T-lymphocytes are more aging than B cells.
Free-Radical theory - ANSFree radicals are by-products of cellular metabolism of oxygen that
can damage cell membranes—they have an extra free electron.
Activity theory - ANSStaying as active as possible as long as possible.
Continuity theory - ANSOld age is just one more age of adjustment—keep doing what you're
doing.
Erikson's Stages of Development-- Integrity vs. Despair - ANSIntegrity versus Despair is the
final stage. The "final task" is of ego integrity, which is the sense of completeness and cohesion
of the self, as opposed to despair. Later, they amended their theory to state that the task is one
of finding a balance between integrity and despair.
Tasks associated with Integrity vs. Despair - ANSadjust to decreased physical strength and
health, adjust to retirement and reduced income, adjust to death of spouse, establish affiliation
with one's own age group, adopt and adapt to new social roles in flexible ways, establish
satisfactory living arrangements, and a positive life review.
Tasks associated with generativity vs. stagnation - ANSassist teenagers, civic and social
responsibilities, job satisfaction, develop leisure time activity, relating to spouse as a person,
adjust to physiological changes, and adjust to aging parents.
How rapidly or slowly do older adults experience aging changes? - ANSNormal aging takes
place in a series of gradual changes.
How do these changes they vary from older adult to older adult? - ANSThe aging process varies
from person to person, depending upon gender, socioeconomic status, health, genetics, and
ethnicity.
Name three general results / characteristics of the aging process that nurses should remember
when caring for an older adult - ANSPhysical, psychological, and specific needs.
What happens to cardiac output with age? - ANSCardiac output decreases with age due to
reduced cardiac reserve, a longer interval between contractions, reduced force and speed of
contractions, and the thickening and stiffening of heart valves.
Why does SBP gradually increase with age? - ANSBecause of an increased peripheral vascular
resistance.