Social Components Of Aging

Which are considered reasons for longer life spans resulting in a growth in the over-65 population? Select all that apply. Advances in vaccinations Introduction of antibiotics Doubling of the Hispanic population Influx of immigrants prior to World War I High birth rate in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century

Advances in vaccinations With the creation of immunizations for diseases such as polio, smallpox, and measles/mumps/rubella, mortality rates decreased and life spans increased. Introduction of antibiotics The introduction of antibiotics allowed for treatment of many illnesses that previously caused death. Influx of immigrants prior to World War I An influx of immigrants coming into the United States prior to WWI added to the population, which has contributed to statistics on aging. High birth rate in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century An increase in birth rate during the late 1800s through the early 1900s gave rise to many instrumental changes that not only created an increased population, but also led to decreased mortality and increased life span.

Which term best describes the uneasy feeling many adolescents and young adults experience when around aging adults? Ageism Intolerance Stereotyping Cultural ignorance

Ageism Ageism, as described by the World Health Organization, is the discrimination against individuals or a group based on age and is typically expressed through an uneasy feeling when in the presence of that particular group.

Which best explains why many aging adults need to live in a dependent living facility such as a nursing home or a long-term care facility? Care is often unavailable from family members. The average life span of the aging adult is increasing. Health technology for the aging adult is more advanced in dependent living facilities. Aging adults tend to need more assistance with activities of daily living and administration of medications.

Aging adults tend to need more assistance with activities of daily living and administration of medications. As adults grow older, health care needs become more complicated and individuals are unable to perform routine daily activities such as bathing and oral hygiene. Likewise, older adults have difficulty keeping up with medications, and most need assistance taking prescriptions as prescribed.

Which would be an appropriate recommendation for the aging adult who is healthy and active but wants to downsize to a smaller home? Select all that apply. Apartment Condominium Assisted living facility Independent care facility Prefabricated/manufactured home

Apartment Downsizing to a smaller apartment would be an appropriate recommendation for those aging adults who can still care for themselves. Condominium Downsizing to a smaller home, such as condominium, would be an appropriate recommendation for those aging adults who can still care for themselves. Independent care facility An independent care facility allows for aging adults who are still in good health and able to care for themselves an environment that is conducive to retirement and social living. Prefabricated/manufactured home Prefabricated/manufactured homes are viable options for aging adults who may want to downsize and cut financial obligations.

Which are contributors to the rising poverty level among aging adults? Select all that apply. Chronic disease Lack of medication coverage Poor health insurance coverage Increased number of hospital visits Rising out-of-pocket medical expenses

Chronic disease Chronic disease leads to longer hospital stays, increased medical bills, and loss of wages from any employment the aging adult may have. Lack of medication coverage The aging adult averages more medication needs than the younger adult, and without coverage, this leads to more cost directly from the patient. Poor health insurance coverage Poor insurance coverage leaves more cost to the individual. Rising out-of-pocket medical expenses The aging adult is expected to pay more out-of-pocket expenses due to changes in Medicare/insurance and coverage of procedures and treatment.

Which would be an appropriate recommendation for the level of care for an individual who is no longer able to stay alone due to wandering, mixing up medications, and failing to engage in hygiene practices? Assisted living Adult day care setting Dependent care facility Independent living facility

Dependent care facility A dependent care facility, such as nursing home or skilled nursing unit, would be more appropriate for the patient who wanders, has difficulty managing medications, and does not engage in personal hygiene practices.

Which could be a possible explanation for an aging adult to not seek medical attention for a chronic illness? Most aging adult men are reluctant to seek formal health care. Due to lack of income, money is spent on basic needs instead of health care needs. Most aging adults are not educated and thus do not understand the importance of medical care. Most younger aging adults feel as if they can use homeopathic treatments to cure most illnesses.

Due to lack of income, money is spent on basic needs instead of health care needs. Many older adults are living near or at the poverty level, so meeting basic needs is more important and less is spent on health care needs.

Which is an indicator the nurse must be aware of that could contribute to the patient's inability to follow recommended care at home? Age Education level Communication barriers Any family or caregivers in the home

Education level Aging adults with a lower level education often find it difficult to understand and follow recommendations of the health care provider.

Which explains why some employers are quick to lay off or fire older adults? Older employees typically cost more to employ due to health care costs. On-the-job accidents occur most frequently in the older adult demographic. Employers who are looking to cut costs may see older workers as less desirable. Older employees are less likely to adapt to the changing environment and new technology needed to perform jobs.

Employers who are looking to cut costs may see older workers as less desirable. Employers are constantly looking for ways to cut costs and the aging adult may be stereotyped as being less desirable and costly to employ.

What would most likely be the reason for individuals to express reluctance and uneasiness to stay in the hospital if they are vibrant members of the community and have jobs they enjoy? Hospitalization removes individuals from their daily routine and family support system. Community activity is important in maintaining social interaction and emotional support. Employment contributes to independence and sense of identity, which may be altered by hospitalization. Fear of losing control of autonomy due to relying on others for care often leads to anxiety and depression.

Employment contributes to independence and sense of identity, which may be altered by hospitalization. Individuals who enjoy employment in their retirement years typically have a stronger sense of independence and sense of identity which can be compromised and lost while hospitalized and dependent on the care of others.

Which best describes why 65 is considered the beginning of old age? Select all that apply. Individuals are eligible for Medicaid. It is a determining point for retirement. Health status begins to deteriorate at age 65. Age 65 is a determinant for financial entitlement. The older adult population is living longer and needing more services.

It is a determining point for retirement. Most adults begin to make decisions regarding retirement, plan for medical service eligibility, and determine financial entitlement at the age of 65, which is an instrumental time during a person's life span. Age 65 is a determinant for financial entitlement. Most adults begin to make decisions regarding retirement, including eligibility for financial entitlement, considering 65 as the retirement age.

Which are examples of health care issues that perpetuate ageism? Select all that apply. Lack of use of older adults in clinical trials Inadequate reimbursement and increased regulations Inadequacy of single disease clinical practice guidelines Providers who are opting out of accepting Medicare reimbursement Increased number of aging adults and decreased number of geriatric providers

Lack of use of older adults in clinical trialsMost clinical trials do not include older adults due to the chronic nature of illnesses. Inadequate reimbursement and increased regulationsAs Medicare imposes more regulations and decreases the assignment of benefits, many health care providers are opting out of accepting Medicare reimbursement. Providers who are opting out of accepting Medicare reimbursement With limitations being placed on reimbursement in the treatment of older adults, many physicians are choosing not to accept assignment from Medicare and thus will not treat older adults.

Which abilities of the aging adult may be impaired by a lower level of education? Select all that apply. Living a healthy lifestyle Recognizing health problems Accessing services and benefits Following health recommendations Comprehending financial obligations

Living a healthy lifestyle Aging adults who do not have a higher level of education may not be able to make healthy lifestyle choices based on limited information. Recognizing health problems Lack of understanding and education may prevent the aging adult from recognizing when there is a health issue that must be addressed, thus prolonging an illness and possibly exacerbating the situation. Accessing services and benefits Those with low-level education may find it difficult to navigate the Medicare/Medicaid system(s) and thus may forfeit some benefits that may be available. Following health recommendations The aging adult may find it difficult to follow the health care provider's recommendation due to an inability to understand the terminology and confusion of health care needs.

Which demographic characteristic is an important determinant of health and well-being? Gender Lifestyle Marital status Cultural practices

Marital status Marital status has been deemed to be the best determinant for health and well-being, which ultimately leads to a longer life span.

Which subcategory of the aging adult ranges from ages 75-84? Young old Oldest old Middle old Middle-oldest old

Middle old Middle old describes the aging adult between the ages of 75 and 84. Those 65-74 are considered young old, and those over 85 are considered oldest old.

Which could be an outcome of a decreased Social Security payment schedule for the aging adult? Decreased quality of life Need for part-time employment Reduction in the appraisal of homes Increased cost of living and utility cost

Need for part-time employment More aging adults are continuing to work part-time to compensate for lower Social Security payments.

Which can be a contributor to the aging adult's social isolation and depression? Negative attitudes about aging Inability to use new technology Being out of touch with the media Difficulty adapting to today's work environment

Negative attitudes about aging When older adults feel as if they are a burden to others, they often feel as if their lives are less valuable, thus leading to depression and social isolation.

Health policy regarding older women is influenced by which factors? Select all that apply. Older women are likely to be poor. Chronic illness is higher in older women. Older women are less likely to be married. Older women are more likely to live alone with functional impairment. The United States is not prepared to care for the abundance of women over 65.

Older women are likely to be poor. Aging women are more likely to be widowed and living on a fixed income. Chronic illness is higher in older women. Women are more likely to experience chronic illness, especially in the older years. Older women are more likely to live alone with functional impairment. Aging women are more likely to live alone and have more impairments and needs for care.

Which are considered myths about the aging adult? Select all that apply. Older workers are unable to learn new technology. Older workers are more expensive than younger workers. Increased age does not lead to an increase in workplace accidents or absenteeism. Older workers use fewer medical benefits than do younger workers. Aging adults are not physically or intellectually able to perform duties beyond retirement age.

Older workers are unable to learn new technology. This is a myth. Older workers are able to learn new technology just like their younger counterparts. Older workers are more expensive than younger workers. This is a myth. It is not more expensive to employ older workers, but it is more expensive for younger employees with dependents. Aging adults are not physically or intellectually able to perform duties beyond retirement age. This is a myth. Aging adults have proven to be just as physically and intellectually able to perform duties as younger employees.

Which are considered outcomes of ageism in health care? Select all that apply. Pain that is often undertreated Implicit behavior that is directed toward older adults Sexually transmitted diseases that may be overlooked Health care providers' consideration that some illnesses are just old age Overtreatment based on chronological age instead of functional age

Pain that is often undertreated Pain is often undertreated in the aging adult due to communication barriers. Sexually transmitted diseases that may be overlooked Many health care providers fail to address sexual function and libido and often miss diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases in aging adults. Health care providers' consideration that some illnesses are just old age Overlooking illness based on ageism is a possible outcome, since chronic or acute illness can be missed. Overtreatment based on chronological age instead of functional age Health care providers tend to treat individuals based on chronological age and not functional age, assuming—often incorrectly—that young people are healthier.

Why does the education level of older adults affect the nurse-patient relationship? Patient teaching strategies are affected by the education level of the older adult. Comprehension of the seriousness of health care is inhibited in the aging adult. Higher-educated clients often are reluctant to be open to new teachings from a nurse. There is a lack of willingness to learn new things and be compliant with health care recommendations.

Patient teaching strategies are affected by the education level of the older adult. Communication of the aging adult is based on education level, which can create barriers in understanding and communication that alter the nurse-patient relationship during patient education.

Which are reasons why aging adults continue to work past normal retirement age? Select all that apply. Self-identity Job enjoyment Independence Economic need Cultural expectations

Self-identity Many aging adults feel as if employment leads to a better sense of self and contributes to their identity. Job enjoyment Many aging adults take pleasure in their employment and continue for sheer enjoyment. Independence Feeling as if they are contributing to society and earning their place leads to a sense of independence. Economic need With increased cost of living and reduction in retirement benefits, many aging individuals are financially in need of extra income.

Which source provides the majority of the aging adult's income? Employment Social Security Public benefit programs Pension/retirement savings

Social Security Social security provides benefits and income for approximately 84% of the aging adult population.

A nurse is in charge of caring for an 87-year-old man who is being treated for post-surgical laparoscopy. The nurse fails to address the patient's request for pain management and dismisses his need to engage in hygiene practices, stating to a coworker that, "He's just complaining because he's old and wants attention." How can this form of ageism be a detriment to the health care of the individual? There is a risk for overtreatment. There is a risk for undertreatment. Bacterial colonization can occur due to inappropriate hygiene. Providers will treat based on chronological age rather than the functional age.

There is a risk for undertreatment. Stereotyping and discrimination based on age—ageism—can result in the undertreatment of individuals when caregivers are dismissive of needs.

Which is a benefit of hiring older adults? They offer a wealth of wisdom and experience. They are more educated than younger employees. They are typically less influenced by peer pressure. They are typically less social with fewer distractions.

They offer a wealth of wisdom and experience. While older adults may not be formerly educated at a high level, they do offer years of wisdom and experience that most young people do not possess.

Which issues are addressed by the "Choosing Wisely" campaign? Select all that apply. Undertreatment of pain Use of harmful sedatives for insomnia or agitation Use of percutaneous feeding tubes in advanced dementia Excessive use of diabetic medication leading to hypoglycemia Overuse of antibiotics for bacterial colonization in urine without signs or symptoms Treating individuals based solely on chronological age and not considering functional age

Use of harmful sedatives for insomnia or agitation Over usage of harmful sedatives, such as benzodiazepines for insomnia and agitation, are considered questionable practices under the "Choosing Wisely" campaign. Use of percutaneous feeding tubes in advanced dementia The use of percutaneous feeding tubes in the individual with advanced dementia is an example of a procedure that is questioned in the "Choosing Wisely" campaign. Excessive use of diabetic medication leading to hypoglycemia Excessive use of diabetic medication to the point of facilitating hypoglycemia is a practice that is considered questionable under the "Choosing Wisely" campaign. Overuse of antibiotics for bacterial colonization in urine without signs or symptoms Antibiotic therapy, when used without evidence of signs or symptoms of urinary bacterial colonization, can be considered questionable under the "Choosing Wisely" campaign.

Which are considered subcategories of the older adult? Select all that apply. Young old: 65-74 Middle old: 75-84 Older adult: 90-100 Youngest old: 60-65 Oldest old: 85 and older Middle adulthood: 65-80

Young old: 65-74 The youngest age subcategory for older adults includes those who are 65 years to 74. Middle old: 75-84 Middle old is a subcategory of the aging adult that includes the age range from 75 to 84. Oldest old: 85 and older Oldest old is a subcategory of the aging adult which includes age 86 and older.