1. Principles of Geronotology1
Lecture Note PowerPoint Presentation
Principles of Geronotology

2. Gerontology
Gerontology: Study of all aspects of aging and its consequences
Ageism: when older adults are stereotyped
Gerontologic nursing: specialized nursing with knowledge of illness and health of the aging

3. AGEISM
What are some stereotypic characteristics of the elderly that you have heard? Or believe?
Dependent ? Frail ? Poor ? Lonely ? Unreliable d/t memory loss ? Rigid; narrow-minded ? Unable to learn ?

4. Older Adult Young Old 60-74 Middle Old 75-84 Old Old 85 & older
Presently: 12.8% of population
2030: will increase to 20% of population

5. Identify mortality data according to race, gender, and age.
LEARNING OUTCOME 1
Identify mortality data according to race, gender, and age.

6. The Goals of Gerontological Nursing Are to Study, Diagnose, and Treat Disease
Principles include health promotion and health protection

7. The Gerontologic Nurse May Be Found in
Skilled nursing facilities
Retirement communities
Adult day care
Residential care facilities
Transitional care units
Rehabilitation hospitals
Community based home care

8. All Nations Have an Aging Population
The greatest increases will be in developing countries
In 2005, 13% of the U.S. population was over age 60
18.3 million aged 65–74
12.9 million aged 75–84
4.7% aged 85 or older

9. Figure 1-1 Population over the age of 60, worldwide and developing regions.

10. Feminization of Later Life
Women comprise 55% of the older population
Women have a longer life expectancy
The average life expectancy of women in the United States is 81 years
The average life expectancy of men in the United States is 75.2 years

11. Figure 1-3 Number of males per 100 females by age, 2002.

12. Feminization of Later Life
Male exposure to risk factors may account for the differences
Increases in female exposures to risk factors will reduce difference in life expectancy

13. Describe leading causes of disability among older adults.
LEARNING OUTCOME 2
Describe leading causes of disability among older adults.

14. Epidemiology
Study of health among populations

15. Table 1-1 Top Causes of Death for People Age 65 and Over

16. Chronic Conditions Develop Over Time
Chronic disorders can start about age 20

17. Nurses Can Intervene Using the Three Levels of Prevention
Primary
Health promotion
Secondary
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment
Tertiary
Restoration and rehabilitation

18. Chronic Conditions in Seniors
80% have at least one chronic condition
Two of the three leading causes of death declined by one third
Heart disease and stroke

19. Morbidity
Two of the three leading causes of death declined by one third
Heart disease and stroke
Leading causes
Hypertension
Heart disease
Diabetes
Respiratory disorders

20. Seventy Percent of Physical Decline Related to Modifiable Risk Factors
Smoking
Poor nutrition
Physical inactivity
Failure to use preventative and screening services

21. Identify common myths of aging and their contribution to ageism.
LEARNING OUTCOME 3
Identify common myths of aging and their contribution to ageism.

22. Fears of Aging Relate to Perception of Inevitable
Disease
Disability
Decline

23. Myths Can Lead to Ageism Reduced healthcare services
Segregation of elders from mainstream society
Difficulty recruiting nurses to work with the elderly

24. Common Aging Myths Old means being sick
Older people cannot learn new things
Health promotion is wasted on older people
The elderly do not pull their own weigh.
It is too late to change bad habits
Older people have no interest in sex

25. Role of the Gerontological Nurse
Educate colleagues and peers

26. Describe the effects of chronic disease.
LEARNING OUTCOME 4
Describe the effects of chronic disease.

27. The Number of Individuals Impacted by Chronic Illness
125 million people in the United States
One in ten people in the United States (30 million) have a related activity limitation.

28. Financial Impact of Chronic Disease
$470 billion in 1995
25% increase expected by 2030
Anticipated to be $864 billion in 2040

29. Racial Differences Related to Chronic Disease
African-Americans more likely to have limitations in ADLs
Older African-Americans with arthritis more likely to have activity limitations
60% of older African-Americans report hypertension

30. Racial Differences Related to Chronic Disease
Increases in diabetes in African-Americans and Hispanics
Life expectancy difference between African-American and White populations is 5.7 years

31. Gender Differences Related to Chronic Disease
Women report more help needed with ADLs than men
Need for assistance increases with age

32. Impact of Chronic Disease on Emotional Health
Women with a chronic condition rate health as poor
African-Americans have least positive assessment of emotional well-being

33. Challenges Faced Increased managed healthcare cost
Providing accessible health care to all persons
Recognizing differing healthcare needs

34. Opportunities to Improve Older Adults’ Health and Quality of Life
Healthy lifestyles
Early disease detection
Immunization
Injury prevention
Self-management techniques

35. Healthy People 2010 Goals Increase quality and years of life
Eliminate health disparities

36. Contrast several major theories of aging.
LEARNING OUTCOME 5
Contrast several major theories of aging.

37. Types of Aging Changes Benign and superficial Senescence Plastic
Graying hair
Wrinkles
Senescence
Progressive body system deterioration
Plastic
Modifiable changes that can be slowed

38. Organ Reserve Changes Reduced organ reserve with aging Homeostasis
Maintenance of body equilibrium
Homeostenosis
Inability of body to restore homeostasis after environmental changes

39. Aging Theories Biological Programmed theories
Hypothesize that the body’s genetic codes contain instructions for regulation of cellular reproduction and death
Programmed Longevity
Endocrine Theory
Immunological Theory

40. Aging Theories Biological Error theories
Hypothesize that environmental assaults and the body’s constant need to make energy and fuel metabolic activities cause toxic by- products
Wear and Tear Theory
Cross-Link Theory
Free Radical Theory
Somatic DNA Damage Theory
Emerging Biological Theories

41. Aging Theories Psychological aging theories
Coping or adaptive strategies must occur for a person to age successfully.
Jung’s Theory of Individualism
Erickson’s Developmental Theory

42. Aging Theories Sociological aging theories
Focus on roles and relationships that occur later in life
Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Continuity Theory

43. LEARNING OUTCOME 6
Evaluate the natural history of disease using principles of epidemiology.

44. National Institute on Aging
Created by Congress in 1974

45. History of Gerontology
Past focus: study, diagnose, and treat disease
Current focus: improvement of health holistically
Physical
Mental
Emotional
Spiritual well-being