Question

Describe the characteristics of the aging process. Explain how some of the characteristics may lead to elder abuse (memory issues, vulnerability, etc.). Discuss the types of consideration a nurse must be mindful of while performing a health assessment on a geriatric patient as compared to a middle-aged adult.

Answer 1

Answer :

Aging : the gradual and spontaneous changes that occur in maturation from infant to young adult .

These changes create a normal physiological decline seen in middle and late adulthood .

Characteristics :

• Ageing is universal .
• Ageing is progressive .
• Deliterious .
• Intrinsic .

There are many changes will occur through the ageing like physical , physiological ,psychological changes .

Physical changes :

• Heart : blood vessels lose their elasticity , fatty diposits build up against artery walls and the heart has to work harder to circulated the blood through body .
• Bones ,muscles and joints : bones shrink in size and density and people actually become shorter and more prone to get fractures ..
• Digestive system : swallowing and digestive reflexes slow down as we age .
• Kidney and urinary system : kidneys may become less efficient in removing waste from blood stream because kidneys get smaller as they lose cells .
• Brain and nervous system : memory loss occur , reflexes slow down ,distractions more likely and co ordination is affected.
• Eyes : vision changes occur as we age .eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma and macular degeneration.
• Ears : excessive noise throughout lifetime can cause hearing loss
• Hair : hair will turn gray .
• Weight : decreasing physical activity can cause weight gain.

Some characteristics lead to elder abuse :

• Physical abuse .
• Neglect .
• Financial exploitation.
• Hybrid cases.

Special considerations :

• A comprehensive health assessment of an elderly patient should include an interview that covers data about history of surgery , allergies ,medications ,cultural views ,substance abuse or usage ,mental status
• The things to be aware of for older adults are vision , hearing , skin changes ,levels of disabilities , nutrition , cognition .
• Assessing elderly patients may take little more time especially if they are confused ,but many times one can assess gait and mobility during the greeting .
• It's also important to decrease how often the patient has to change positions to allow for physical assessment to continue .