GERIATRICS FINAL

• The United Kingdom, Sweden, and Cuba all have universal health insurance in some form but the US does not
• Medicaid


  A law that addresses a variety of health care needs of indigent and older individuals
• Hospice care for older adults

  Covered by Medicare
• The moratorium on therapy caps in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 is an example of successful advocacy by the occupational and physical therapy professional associations to influence federal policy
• Services established as part of the Older Americans Act

  • Nutrition programs
  • Senior centers
  • Transportation
• Skilled nursing services were not established as part of the Older Americans Act
• As a role in effective intervention for clients, therapists have a responsibility to advocate for legislation that benefits the client and community
• When a therapist provides treatment that does not conform to the regulations of Medicare, as a rule, such services will be paid for by the client, out of pocket
• Although increasing awareness of positive aging has begun to improve attitudes, this outlook has been criticized for its potential to encourage subtle discrimination against those who are not able to age well
• Aspects of cultural identity

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Occupation
• Occupational performance, performance skills, and performance patterns are all affected by cultural factors
• Caution must be taken to ensure that an evaluation tool being used has been standardized for the relevant group within the culture it is being used
• An ethical dilemma that might be faced by an occupational therapist treating an older adult is whether it is safe for the client to drive
• A sign of physical abuse would be seeing several bruises on a patient's body
• An important risk factor for elder abuse is reduced functional capacity
• In most states, therapists are obligated to report suspected elder abuse
• One reversible cause of dementia is drug reaction
• The primary risk factor for developing vascular dementia is history of one or more strokes
• An important reason for careful diagnosis of dementia is that some causes are reversible or treatable with medication
• Most individuals in the early and middle stages of dementia can be reliable informants
• Strength-based approach to treating cognitive disorders

  • Identifying strengths and abilities rather than deficits and limitations
  • Including individuals as active rather than passive participants in the treatment process
  • Emphasizing current possibilities and options rather than past events and performance
• Forgetting where you put your cell phone is most likely a sign of normal cognitive aging rather than dementia
• A factor that characterises stroke more than dementia is rapid onset without gradual decline
• Late-life depression may mimic symptoms of dementia
• Reducing the individual's feelings of embarrassment about their dementia has been demonstrated to improve a person's quality of life
• Procedural memory can be a powerful force for maintaining functional capacity in later stages of dementia
• An example of silent symptoms in older adults would be someone with infectious illnesses such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections not complaining about their symptoms; this makes these conditions hard to diagnose
• In occupational therapy interventions to address cancer, the most essential goal of treatment is supporting quality of life and meaningful occupations
• Frailty syndrome


  Weakness, slowness, low level of physical activity, and low level of energy
• Substance abuse studied among the baby boom generation has shown an increase in the use of illicit drugs compared with other generations
• Leisure


  Activities that are fully engaging and contribute to self-actualization
• Passive leisure


  • Watching an action movie
• Passive leisure can be enjoyable and restful
• It may be difficult for individuals to pursue leisure interests in institutional settings or community programs because the constant presence of others reduces personal choice
• Lack of control in activities can lead individuals to feel helpless
• Key aspects of control in leisure activities

  • Freedom of choice
  • Determination of outcomes
  • Matching challenges to skill
• A person is less likely to feel in control and to experience leisure when an activity is complex and lengthy
• Factors involved in motivation regarding leisure pursuits

  Complex interacting factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic
• Interventions to enhance individuals' leisure pursuits should be developed through collaboration to identify activities that are highly significant to them
• Planning to work to an older age is an anticipated trend as the baby boom generation ages