MODULE 5 (PPT) : HEALTH PROBLEMS  Symptoms of depression in older adults are often

IN OLD AGE / COMMON HEALTH overlooked and untreated because they coincide
PROBLEMS IN ELDERLY with other problems encountered by older adults.
C. Abuse
Mental Health Problems Among Older Adults
 Elder abuse is a general term used to describe
 Multiple social, psychological, and biological factors
certain types of harm to older adults.
determine the level of mental health of a person at
 Other terms commonly used include:
any point of time.
Elder mistreatment
 Many older adults lose their ability to live
Senior abuse
independently because of limited mobility, chronic
Abuse in later life
pain, frailty or other mental or physical problems,
Abuse of older adults
and require some form of long-term care.
Abuse of older women
 Older people are more likely to experience events
Abuse of older men
such as bereavement, a drop in socioeconomic
status with retirement, or a disability. Types of Abuse
 All of these factors can result in isolation, loss of  Physical Abuse
independence, loneliness and psychological distress Hitting, slapping, burning, pushing, restraining or
in older people. giving too much medication or the wrong
medication.
A. Dementia
 Psychological Abuse
 It is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in
Shouting, swearing, frightening, blaming, ignoring
memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to
or humiliating a person.
perform everyday activities.
 Financial Abuse
 Mainly affects older people, although it is not a
The illegal or unauthorized use of a person’s
normal part of ageing.
property, money, pension book or other
 It is estimated that 47.5 million people worldwide
valuables.
are living with dementia.
 Sexual Abuse
 The total number of people with dementia is
Forcing a person to take part in any sexual activity
projected to increase to 75.6 million in 2030 and
without his or her consent – This can occur in any
135.5 million in 2050, with majority of sufferers
relationship.
living in low- and middle-income countries.
 Neglect
Lost
Where a person is deprived of food, heat,
Confused
clothing or comfort or essential medication.
Unsure
An older person may either suffer from only one
Unclear
form of abuse, or different types of abuses at the
Perplexed
same time.
Disoriented
Bewildered
Physical Health Problems Among Older Adults
B. Depression A. Cardiovascular System
 Depression can cause great suffering and leads to Common Health Problems
impaired functioning in daily life. Unipolar  Hypertension
depression occurs in 7% of the general elderly  Ischemic heart disease
population and it accounts for 5.7% of YLDs among  Heart failure
over 60 year olds.  Peripheral vascular disease
 Depression is both under diagnosed and  Varicose veins
undertreated in primary care settings.  Stroke attack
Nursing Intervention
 Exercise regularly, pace activities
  Avoid smoking
 Eat a low fat, low salt diet Nursing Intervention
 Weight control  Use ice chips
 Check blood pressure regularly  Mouth wash, brush, massage gums daily
 Participate in stress reduction activities  Eat small quantity, frequent meals
 Regular medication  Eat high fiber, low fat diet, limit laxatives
B. Respiratory System  Toilet regularly
Common Health Problems  Drink adequate fluid
 Chronic pneumonia  For appetite serve food attractively and different
 Obstructive pulmonary disease types of foods
 Dyspnea E. Urinary System
 Breathlessness Common Health Problems
Nursing Intervention  Renal insufficiency
 Deep breathing exercise regularly  Urinary incontinence
 Avoid smoking  Urinary tract infection
 Take adequate fluids  Enlarged prostate
 Prevent pulmonary infections  Sexual dysfunction
 Avoid crowds during cold and flu season Nursing Intervention
 Wash hands frequently  Regular supervision is necessary
C. Neurologic Behavioral  Ready access to toilet
Common Health Problems  Drink adequate fluids
 Parkinsonism – Characterized by tremor, rigidity,  Avoid bladder irritants e.g. alcohol, caffeine
slowness of movement.  Practice pelvic floor muscle exercise
 Alzheimer’s disease – Loss of short term memory,  Maintain perineal hygiene
deterioration in behavior and slowness of thought.  Skin should be clean and dry. Apply cream.
 Dementia – It is a chronic or persistent disorder of  Clean underclothes
behavior and higher intellectual function due to F. Reproductive System
organic brain disease. Common Health Problems
 Depression, anxiety  Female – Breast cancer, cervical cancer
 Sleep disturbance  Painful intercourse
Nursing Intervention  Vaginal bleeding, vaginal itching and irritation
 Advice for hospitalization and encourage visitors  Male – Prostate cancer
 Teach fall prevention technique  Delayed erection
 Environmental safety like sufficient light, proper Nursing Intervention
chairs for seating, elevated toilet seats  Health and sexual counseling
 Encourage slow rising from a resting position  Advice about personal hygiene
 Reduce the risk of falls G. Musculoskeletal System
D. Gastrointestinal Common Health Problems
Common Health Problems  Paget’s disease
 Problem with speech, chewing and swallowing  Osteoporosis
 Constipation  Osteomalacia
 Colon gas and fecal impaction  Rheumatoid arthritis
 Diarrhea  Spondilosis
 Gastro-esophageal reflux or hernia  Complaints of back pain and joint pain
 Fecal incontinence, prolapsed rectum  Stiffness of joints
 Dysphagia, anorexia  Fractures
 Foot pathology gait disturbance
 Nursing Intervention 1. Exercise and Activity
 Exercise regularly  Balance between exercise and activity is most
 Eat high calcium diet important for elder person as it decrease risk of
 Limit phosphorus intake many health issues.
 Hormones and calcium supplement may be  Exercise also improve nutrition and reduce stress.
prescribed  In addition, it decrease the risk of hypertension or
H. Special Sense: Vision maintain blood pressure in hypertensive elder
Common Health Problems person.
 Visual impairment  It increase oxygen saturation and increase lung
 Hearing impairment capacity.
 Diminished smell or taste  Elder person should do exercise on regular basis as
Nursing Intervention tolerated.
 Wear eyeglasses or sunglasses  They should do light exercise like walking and slow
 Use adequate indoor lighting with are light and running.
night light 2. Nutrition and Diet
 Use magnifier for reading  Maintenance of nutritional status in elder persons
 Use large lettering to label medication are also important because with increase in age,
 Avoid night driving digestive capacity diminish.
 Advice for hearing examination  The nutrition should be well balance that has
 Allow the individual more time to adjust to the higher amount of calcium, iron, and other essential
environment nutrients.
 Speak slowly and clearly  The following should be considered by elder
person regarding diet.
I. Dermatologic
Meal time should be kept simple and calm.
Common Health Problems
Food is cut into small pieces to prevent choking.
 Pressure sores
Liquid food may be easier to swallow.
 Herpes zoster
Temperature of the food should be checked to
 Dermatitis
prevent burns.
 Pruritus
Encourage for good mouth care.
 Bone structure is prominent
Avoid alcohol.
Nursing Intervention
Review all prescription and over-the-counter
 Avoid solar exposure
medication with patient and evaluate nutritional
 Cloth dress appropriately for temperature
status.
 Maintain a safe indoor temperature
3. Stress Management
 Bath only 1-2 times weekly
 By the time individuals reach 60 -70 years of age,
 Excessive use of soap should be avoided
they have experienced numerous losses and stress
 Apply cream to lubricate skin
has become a lifelong process.
 In addition, hormonal changes also cause stress
Health Promotion in Elderly
among elderly. Therefore, stress management is
 Health maintenance and health promotion is very
essential for them.
important. In health care of elderly following points
 Long term stress can cause hypertension, stroke
are included:
and heart disease.
Exercise and activity
 Explain older person about stress management
Nutrition and diet
techniques like yoga, exercise, meditation, etc.
Stress management
4. Self-care and Responsibility
Self-care and responsibility
 Older persons also need to learn about self-care
Community services
and responsibility.
  Following instruction can be given to them about
self-care:
Monitor blood pressure and blood sugar
regularly.
Diet control and balance diet.
Stop alcohol consumption and smoking.
Get vision and hearing checked periodically.
Advice to take proper rest and sleep.
Exercise regularly.
5. Community Services
 Many community support exist that help the older
person maintain independence.
 Informal sources of help, such as family, friends,
the mail carrier, church members, and neighbors,
can all keep an informal watch.
 Area Agencies on Aging perform many community
services, visitors, home repair services, and home-
delivered meals.
 Homemaker and chore services can be obtained at
an hourly rate through these agencies or through
local community nursing services.
 Most commonly used services are as follows:
Group counselling center
Adult day center
Rehabilitation center
Hospice center
Ambulatory care center