Lecture Notes on Aging Population, Economics, and Healthcare Provisions for Older Adults

Key Topics of the Lecture:

1. Chapter One: Trends and Issues in Aging
2. Aging Population and Demographics
3. Economic Status and Myths About Aging
4. Agism and Age Discrimination
5. Healthcare Provisions for Older Adults (Medicare)
6. Residential Options for Older Adults
7. Advanced Directives
8. Elder Abuse
9. Theories of Aging
10. Health Promotion and Health Maintenance
11. Safety Risks and Medication Safety

Key Points and Details:

1. Aging Population and Demographics

• Key Concepts: Agism, age discrimination, gerontophobia (fear of aging).
• Myths: Not all older people live in nursing homes, are poor, sick, or depressed.
• Greatest Fear: Losing Independence.

2. Agism vs. Age Discrimination

• Agism: Emotional prejudice against older people.
• Age Discrimination: Denying opportunities based on age.
• Examples: Not promoting someone due to age, denying healthcare services.

3. Economics of Aging

• Poverty: Only about 12.8% of older adults live below the poverty line.
• Income: Older men generally have higher median incomes than older women.
• Main Source of Income: Social Security for low-income older adults.

4. Healthcare Provisions (Medicare)

• Medicare A: Hospital care.
• Medicare B: 80% of outpatient services; individual pays.
• Medicare C: Insurance plans that manage Medicare.
• Medicare D: Prescription drug benefits.

5. Residential Options for Older Adults

• Assisted Living: Light assistance with ADLs, meal preparation, housekeeping.
• Skilled Nursing: Intensive care, nurse on-site 24/7.
• Subacute Care: For patients too ill for a nursing home but not for a hospital.

6. Advanced Directives

• Purpose: Document patient's care wishes if incapacitated.
• Types: Living will, POLST/MOST forms, durable power of attorney.
• Scenario: Changing code status from full code to comfort measures.

7. Elder Abuse

• Types: Emotional, financial, institutional.
• Signs: Emotional abuse (negative comments), financial abuse (misusing funds).
• Intervention: Respite care, support groups, and maintaining independence.
• Mandated Reporting: Legal requirement to report suspected abuse.

8. Theories of Aging

• Biologic Theories: Gene theory, immunologic theory, wear and tear theory.
• Psychosocial Theories: Activity theory, Erikson's theory of lifespan development.
• Examples and Definitions: Understanding aging through different lenses.

9. Health Promotion and Health Maintenance

• Diet: Healthy weight, fewer calories but high nutritional content.
• Exercise: 30 minutes, 3-5 times a week.
• Dental Health: Importance of dental exams, dry mouth, gum disease.
• Screenings: Mammograms, bone density, Pap tests, colorectal cancer.
• Immunizations: Influenza, tetanus, pneumonia, shingles.

10. Safety Risks and Medication Safety

• Sensory Changes: Risk of falls, loss of vision/hearing, changes in taste/smell.
• Non-Adherence: Following (or not) the treatment plan.
• Medication Safety: Keeping medication lists up to date, medication reconciliation.

11. Communication

• Therapeutic Communication: Open-ended questions, validating feelings, establishing rapport.
• Barriers: Hearing loss, vision loss, aphasia.
• Non-verbal Communication: Use natural expressions, make eye contact.
• Using Interpreters: Avoid using family, use certified interpreters.

12. Health Assessment and Medication Calculation

• Objective vs Subjective Data: Visual vs reported symptoms.
• Vital Signs: Awareness of acute changes, blood pressure management.
• Patient Identification: Importance of accurate identifiers.
• Medication Calculations: Units, conversion factors, fluid intake calculation.

13. Practice Problems and Errors

• Dosage calculations: Understanding basic principles and common mistakes.
• Weight Conversions: Kilograms to pounds and vice versa.
• Fluid Intake Calculation: Practice with IV and oral intake.
• Identifying Errors: Common mistakes in calculation and unit conversion.

Summary

This lecture provided an extensive overview of various topics related to aging, including demographics, economic status, healthcare provisions, elder abuse, and health promotion. Key differences between agism and age discrimination were emphasized, as well as the importance of Medicare and different residential options for older adults. Advanced directives, elder abuse prevention, and various theories of aging were also covered. Practical components included health maintenance, safety risks, communication strategies, health assessment, and medication calculations, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding and supporting the aging population.