geriatrics

• three stages of old

  68-75: young old

  75-85: old

  85+ : old old
• normal aging process:

  senescence (normal age-related changes in the organ systems)

  sclerosis (hardening of tissue d/t fibrous tissue overgrowth)

  stenosis (narrowing or constricting of a passage or orifice)

  atrophy (wasting away or decrease in the size of an organ)

  calcification
• slower and stiffer
• number one goal when caring for aging adults: safety
• goals: maintenance of baseline health and functional status
• goals: decrease in physical, mental, and emotional decline
• interventions: give them more time to respond or do actions and reorient them daily if not more often
• interventions: hourly rounding and the 4 P's in acute care

  Pain

  Potty (offer every time)

  Positioning

  Possessions (within reach)
• restraints are never an acceptable option to keep the elderly safe from falling
• as always: less invasive treatments should be tried first
• key points:

  slower and stiffer

  YOU need to accommodate. not the pt

  safety is a priority

  give them time