GERIATRIC SINDROMES

INTRODUCTION

Clearly there are a few diseases that affect only persons recognized as elders, even many of them appear in preceding ages 65. What is certain is that there is a higher incidence of these processes at certain ages and especially the consequences that any of them can be in this group.

GENERAL ASPECT OF DISEASES IN THE ELDERLY

In geriatric disease processes, symptoms does not appear clearly as we have seen. However there are a number of recurring symptoms in various diseases, although not known for being itself and / or specifies the population.

PAIN 

Pain is a manifestation linked to different situations. Chronicity is common and that is why many people have adapted to their way of life by minimizing its valuation.

Pain is a subjective perception. It is what the person tells you it is. Everyone experiences pain in a unique way.

We must believe to the patient and no underestimate him because we must take away the pain.

Nurses can neither see pain nor measure pain with a meter, but the ca detectc its presence by careful listening and observation.

Response to pain differs from person to person.

Assessment of pain: 

• Onset of pain
• Pain perception
• Pain response
• Pain threshold
• Stimulus onset
• Pain Tolerance
• Amount and duration of pain.
• Location
• Intensity
• Duration
• Quality
• History
• Facial expression
• Body mobilization

I think that the nurses must provide comfort to the patients, avoid actions that increase pain, administer medication as ordered…

URINARY AND DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

To function properly, the body must be able to rid itself of waste products effectively, the two major systems involved in waste elimination are the urinary system and the gastrointestinal system.

We must assess patterns of elimination and causative factors.

FATIGUE OR WEAKENESS

TREMOR

SENIL PRURITUS

MENTAL DISORDERS

PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS:

Organic's origin:

• Hypertension
• Malnutrition
• Sensory difficulties
• Incontinence

Environmental's origin:

• Architectural barriers
• Poor economic
• Inactivity
• Polypharmacy
• Alcoholism
• Changes in the environment

Relational risk:

• Loneliness / isolation
• Insomnia
• Disorientation

We must control this risk to help the elders. We must to do information about this risk and teach them how prevente it.

In nursing consultation we must hep with the organic risk. We must control the hypertension for example.

Gloria Hoffmann Wold. Basic Geriatric Nursing. 5^th ed. Milwaukee, Wisconsin:Elsevier; 2012