Gero Midterm Part 1

The fear of aging or growing older

• The bias in healthcare.
• Healthcare professionals do not receive very much training in care of older adults.
• Older adults are less likely to be screened for diseases or participate in studies or receive preventative care.

• You loose your health and independence. 
• You get senile
• You get demanding and useless
• You get sad and find no satisfaction in life

• To be old is to be sick.
• You can't teach and old dog new tricks.
• Don't bother to close the barn door after the horse is out of the barn. 
• The lights may be on, but the voltage is low.
• Older people don't pull their own weight.

• A: 65-74
• B: 75-84
• C: 85+

• Increase # healthcare workforce w/ geriatric certification
• Reduce # of older adults with functional limitations
• Reduce rate of pressure ulcer-related hospitalizations
• Reduce rate of ED visits due to falls
• Increase chronic disease management self-efficacy
• Increase # of states who report Elder abuse/neglect
• Increase physical activity among physically or cognitively impaired

• Related to time
• Physiologic aging AKA Senescence

Changes related to trauma or disease

a branch of psychology concerned with helping older persons and their families maintain well being, overcome problems, and achieve maximum potential during later life.

• Fosters independence of elders by:
• Provide care
• Educate
• Manage
• Advocate
• Research 

• Quality of care
• Performance appraisal
• Education
• Collegiality
• Ethics
• Collaboration
• Research
• Resource utilization

JCAHO

• Human needs
• Stages of personality development
• Individualism
• Lifespan Development

It explains aging in terms of mental processes, emotions, attitudes and personality development. Life Stage Transitions

• Activity
• Disengagement
• Continuity
• Gerotranscendence (from materialistic to oneness with the universe)

Changing roles, relationships, status and generational cohort that impact the adult's ability to adapt

Stochastic= free radicals, errors in DNA/RNA, and wear and tear

Non-Stochastic= Programmed theory, Gene, Neuroendocrine, and immune.

• Functional Consequences
• Theory of Thriving

Minimizing age associated disabilities. Enhance safety and quality of living.

Most other cultures view their elders with respect and care deeply for them. 

Americans see them as useless

• Inpatient Subacute unit
• Home
• Acute Care Hospital
• Inpatient Rehabilitation unit
• Long-term care facility