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Presentation of Illness in Older Adults
Author(s) -
Amelia Elaine J.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
aorn journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1878-0369
pISSN - 0001-2092
DOI - 10.1016/s0001-2092(06)60168-3
Subject(s) - medicine , depression (economics) , disease , presentation (obstetrics) , diabetes mellitus , thyroid disease , appetite , obesity , pediatrics , gerontology , psychiatry , thyroid , endocrinology , surgery , economics , macroeconomics
• ALTHOUGH PEOPLE AGE at different rates, changes to the composition of the human body are a hallmark of aging. As a result of such changes, disease can present differently in a person over 65 years old than it would in a younger adult or child. • THIS ARTICLE IDENTIFIES the critical indicators of underlying conditions, including changes in mental status, loss of function, decrease in appetite, dehydration, falls, pain, dizziness, and incontinence. It also describes the presentation of diseases common to older adults, including depression, infection, cardiac disease, gastrointestinal disorders, thyroid disease, and type 2 diabetes.