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

The characteristic of ageing process are

• Physiological changes
  • High frequency sound of 20Htz decrease in teenage life
  • Cognition declines in mid 20's
  • Female fertility decreases in 30's
  • Body mass decrease after 30s
  • Visionary impacts in 35s
  • Menopause occurs in 40_50s
  • Loss of hair,grey hair in 50s
  • In ups the bones are very fragile and tend to break as a leading cause of arthritis
  • Hearing loss is experienced in 70s
  • Vision damage by cataracts in 80s
  • Less physical mobility in 85s
  • Neurological symptoms can be experienced in 90s
  • Decrease or loss of daily activity
• Psychological changes: Ageing leads to issues like dementia, Alzheimer disease
• Social changes:Retirement from the job

People at this age generally depend on others for help and support and are at risk of being abused

• As they are physically fragile chance of hurting them while care are common
• Neglecting them for their needs becausw of their decreased remembering capacity
• Critising others may lead yo physical abuse of the elder by others

A nurse must be aware of the following while doing a health assessment

• Sensory functions like (taste,hearing,vision ) as to be assessed
• Loss of muscle mass may lead them to be hypothermic and chance of skin breakdown
• Motor assessment to be done for ruling mobility
• Vital signs recordingwith glucose monitoring
• Bowel and bladder pattern
• Nutritional assessment to find any malnutrition and is it on the basis of any disease condition