2. Topics
Demographics of the Elderly
The Aging Process
Assessment & Management of the
Elderly Patient.
3. The Elderly...
Are one of the fastest growing segments
of our population.
Are persons age 65 or older.
And their growing number presents a
challenge to all health care providers.
4. The Facts
The mean survival rate of older persons is
increasing.
The birth rate is declining.
There has been an absence of major wars or
other catastrophes.
Health care and living standards have
improved significantly since WWII.
By 2030, 70 million people will be 65 or older.
5. Gerontology is the scientific study of the
effects of aging and age-related diseases
on humans.
Geriatrics is the study and treatment of
diseases of the aged.
6. Societal Issues
Elderly persons living alone represent one of
the most impoverished and vulnerable parts of
society.
Factors include living environments, poverty,
loneliness, social support.
A deterioration of independence is not
inevitable and not necessarily a function of
aging. It may well be a sign of a heretofore
untreated illness.
9. Ethics
In the course of caring for elderly
patients, ethical concerns frequently
arise. You may be confronted with:
Multiple decision-makers
Questions about a patient’s competency
Advanced directives, or DNRs
10.
11. Financing & Resources
for Health Care
Medicare
Medicaid
Veterans Administration
18. Pathophysiology
The body becomes less efficient with
age.
The elderly often suffer from more than
one illness or disease at a time.
The existence of multiple chronic
diseases in the elderly often leads to the
use of multiple medications.
19. Factors that may decrease
compliance in the elderly:
Limited income
Memory loss
Limited mobility
Sensory impairment
Fear of toxicity
Child-proof containers
Duration of drug therapy
20. Factors that may increase
compliance in the elderly:
Good patient-physician communication
Belief that a disease or illness is serious
Drug calendars
Compliance counseling
Blister packaging
Pill boxes
Transportation services to the pharmacy
Ability to read
Clear simple directions
22. Falls
Present an especially serious problem.
Represent the leading cause of accidental
death among the elderly.
May be intrinsic or extrinsic.
The elderly should be encouraged to
make their homes safe.
24. Communications
Normal physiological changes may
include impaired vision, impaired or loss
of hearing, an altered sense of taste or
smell, and/or a lower sensitivity to
touch.
Any of these conditions can affect your
ability to communicate with the patient.
27. Factors in Forming a
General Assessment
Living situation
Level of activity
Network of social support
Level of independence
Medication history
Sleep patterns
28. Try to distinguish the
patient’s chief complaint
from the primary problem.
32. Speak into a stethoscope with
the hearing-impaired.
33. Change in altered mental status can
denote serious underlying problems.
34. Only experience and practice will allow you to
distinguish acute from chronic physical
findings in the elderly patient.
When caring for the elderly:
Encourage patients to express their feelings.
DO NOT trivialize their fears.
Avoid questions.
Confirm what the patient says.
Recall all that you have learned about
communicating with the elderly.
Assure patients that you understand that they are
adults.
52. Substance Abuse
Factors that contribute to substance abuse in the
elderly include:
Age-related changes
Employment loss
Loss of spouse
Multiple prescriptions
Malnutrition
Loneliness
Moving to an apartment/care home
53. Behavioral/Psychological
Disorders
Some of the common classifications of
psychological disorders related to age
include:
Organic brain syndrome
Depression
Dependent personality
Paranoid disorders
55. Trauma is the leading cause of death in the
elderly.
Factors include:
Osteoporosis
Reduced cardiac reserve
Decreased respiratory function
Impaired renal function
Decreased elasticity in the peripheral blood vessels
56. Assessment
Remember that blood pressure and pulse
readings can be deceptive indicators of
hypoperfusion.
Leading causes of trauma in the elderly include
falls, motor vehicle crashes, burns, assault, and
syncope.
Observe the scene for signs of abuse and
neglect.
58. Many states have laws that require
EMS personnel to report suspected cases
of Geriatric abuse and/or neglect.
59. General Management
When caring for elderly patients,
consider the various changes and
underlying conditions which may affect
your care, such as:
Cardiovascular considerations
Respiratory considerations
Renal considerations
65. Burns
People age 60 and older are more likely
to suffer death from burns than any other
group except neonates and infants.
Factors include:
Slower reaction time
Pre-existing diseases
Age-related skin changes
Immunological/metabolic changes
Reductions in physiological function
66. Summary
Demographics of the Elderly
The Aging Process
Assessment & Management of the
Elderly Patient
