QUESTIONS ANSWER

1. What age-related changes and risk The age-related changes that

factors interact to contribute to this contribute to the functional
functional consequence? consequence are the inevitable
progressive, and irritable changes
which occur during the late
adulthood, which are independent
of extrinsic or pathologic conditions.
The age-related changes are
typically degenerative. It also
includes the growth potential on
psychological and spiritual levels.

On the other hand, the risk factors

that contribute to this functional
consequence are those that
increase the vulnerability of the
older adults to negative functional
consequence. These include
diseases, environment, lifestyle,
support systems, psychosocial
circumstances, adverse medication
effects, and the attitudes based on
lack of knowledge.

2. What environmental conditions either It is called risk factors if the

improve or interfere with the affected environmental conditions interfere
aspect of functioning?  with the affected aspect of
functioning.

While if the environmental

conditions help to improve or
enhance the functions, it is called
interventions.

3. How to use the nursing knowledge to As nurses, we can provide health

improve health and quality of life about education to older adults so that
that aspect of functioning? they will have a knowledge that the
changes they are experiencing is
normal.

Second, we can do interventions

such as health promotion and
disease preventions to help
 minimize risk-factors and the
development of further
complications.

Lastly is through providing holistic

nursing care so that we can
alleviate the discomfort an older
adult is experiencing.

4. What is the difference between health Health promotion are the programs
promotion and maintenance? or interventions formulated by the
nurse that focuses on the changes
of behavior which will result towards
improved health and well-being of
individuals, groups, communities,
and nations.

On the other hand, health

maintenance is when we try to
maintain the changed behavior that
minimizes the risk-factor of the
patient.

5. What is the role of health education in Health education is one of the best
health promotion? methods used to health promotion.
This gives the older adult a learning
experience on health issues he or
she is experiencing. Through this,
the patient will be educated about
these issues he or she is dealing
and will be able to make or guide
decisions that may help him or her
minimize the risk-factors or further
complications.

6. What is the key to increasing physical The key to increase the physical
activity in older adults? activities in older adult is by
educating them on what are the
benefits of exercise in their age.
One way of this is telling that
exercise reduces the risk of
developing cardiovascular disease,
hypertension, type 2 diabetes,
osteoporosis, obesity, colon cancer,
and breast cancer.
 In addition to this, we should also
assess them on which physical
activities is best fit to their situation.
For instance, an older adult which
has no access to any swimming
pool may find it hassle or expensive
if we encourage them to do water
aerobics. Instead of water aerobics,
we may encourage them to do
walking, or maybe chair yoga.

Lastly, it is also important for us,

nurses, to educate the older adult
on what exercises or physical
activities they should avoid. Some
of these are Squatting, bench press,
dead-lift, and high-intensity interval
training. These exercises may put
the older adult at risk of accidents or
injuries.

7. What are the physical changes in the Older adults experience changes in
elderly? all of the body system over time,
which is completely normal due to
aging. The physical changes in the
elderly are as follows.

Some of the changes in the

Integumentary of the elderly
includes
 Decreased skin turgor
 Dry, itchy, cracked skin
 Easy bruising and tearing of
the skin
 Inadequate sweating
 Increased nail thickness and
decreased nail growth
 Less elastic and dry

Second, some of the changes the

elderly experiences in their
musculoskeletal are
 Brittle bones
 Change of gait, with
 shortened step and a
broader base
 A decrease in deep tendon
reflexes
 A reduction of muscular
coordination
 A reduction in physical
strength
 Decrease in strength
 Decreased mobility, range of
motion, flexibility, and
stability
 Gradual shortening of
vertebrae

On the neurologic of the elderly,

some of the changes include
 Changes in mental status
 Changes in sleep patterns,
such as decreased total
sleep with earlier risings
 Reduced blood flow to the
brain, dizziness, memory
loss
 Decreased temperature
regulation
 Decreased reflex actions
 Difficulty with slight motor
movement
 Dizziness and syncope
 Increased susceptibility to
hypothermia and
hyperthermia
 Loss of balance
 Peripheral numbness
 Slight tremors

Physical changes an elderly

experience with their respiratory
includes
 Increased respiratory rate
 Decreased pulmonary
elasticity
 Accumulation of secretion
  Chronic respiratory diseases

Some of the changes in the

gastrointestinal includes
 Decreased absorption of
carbohydrates, proteins, fats,
and vitamins
 Decreased absorption of
nutrients
 Decreased appetite, thirst,
and oral intake
 Decreased lean body weight
 Decreased need for calories
 Decreased Peristalsis-
Constipation
 Decreased secretion of
gastric juice & enzymes
 Decreased stomach-
emptying time
 Difficulty in chewing and
swallowing food

The changes in the urinary system

of an older adult are as follows
 Decreased urinary output
 Fluid & electrolyte
imbalances
 Frequency in urination due to
reduced bladder capacity
 Incontinence
 UTI due to incomplete
emptying
 Prostate enlargement in male

Below are the changes on

reproductive system of an older
adult
 Male slow production of
sperm decreased libido
problems of erection small &
less firm sperm
 Female menopause sagging
of breast decreased libido
decreased vaginal
 secretions-dyspareunia
uterine prolapse
 Reduced testosterone
production and reduced size
of testes
 Changes in the prostate
leading to urinary problems
 Decreased secretion of
hormones with the cessation
of menses
 Vaginal changes, including
reduced muscle tone and
lubrication

Changes on the hematologic and

immune system of an older adult
are
 Hemoglobin and hematocrit
levels remain within normal
range but average
toward the low end of
normal.
 Lymphocyte counts tend to
be lower.
 Decreased resistance to
infection and disease
 Prone to increased blood
clotting

Listed below are the physical

changes on the endocrine system
of an older adult
 Decreased secretion of
hormones, with specific
changes related to each
hormone function
 Decreased metabolic rate
 Decreased glucose tolerance
 Resistance to insulin in
peripheral tissues

The physical changes an older adult

is experiencing with their renal
system are
 Decreased kidney size,
 function, and ability to
concentrate urine
 Decreased glomerular
filtration rate
 Decreased capacity of the
bladder
 Increased residual urine and
increased incidence of
infection and incontinence
 Impaired medication
excretion

Lastly, listed below are some of the

physical changes and older adult
experiences with their special
senses
 Decreased visual acuity
 Decreased accommodation
in the eye
 Decreased peripheral vision
and increased sensitivity to
glare
 Increased adjustment time to
changes in light
 Presbyopia and cataract
formation
 Possible loss of hearing
ability
 Inability to discern the taste
of food
 Decreased smell acuity
 Changes in touch

8. What are the psychosocial needs of the The psychosocial needs of an older
elderly? adults are as follows
 Adjustment to retirement and
loss of income
 Changes in role function
 Coping with transformation
and new life situations
 Changes in social life
 Diminished quantity and
quality of relationships
Coping with loss
 Adjustment to a potential
 deterioration in physical and
mental
health and well-being
 A threat to independence
functioning
 Loss of skills and
competencies developed
early in life.

9. What are the psychological problems of The common psychological

the elderly? problems an older adult is
experiencing are as follows
 Dementia
 Alzheimer’s Disease
 Impaired judgement
 Altered thought process
 Altered sleep pattern
 Agitation
 Depression