Ch 14-16 Biopsychosocial Aspects of Later Adulthood

Mr. Tanaka, 76, reports difficulty recalling recent conversations but remembers events from his childhood clearly. Based on normal biological aging, what process explains this pattern?

• Selective attention deficit

• Decline in short-term memory function

• Retrograde amnesia

• Sudden onset dementia

A client with arthritis asks why their joints have become stiffer with age. Based on biological aging theories, which explanation is most likely?

• Cartilage regenerates faster, causing swelling

• Decreased synovial fluid and cartilage elasticity

• Bone marrow expansion puts pressure on joints

• Overuse of joints in younger years always causes arthritis

Which of the following is a common biological change in later adulthood that can affect nutrition?

• Increased sense of taste

• Decreased gastrointestinal motility

• Enhanced muscle growth

• Improved metabolic rate

A program to prevent falls in older adults should focus on which of the following?

• Improving bone density

• Enhancing reaction time and balance

• Increasing muscle mass only

• Boosting sensory awareness

During a health education session, a social worker explains that older adults are more prone to dehydration. Which biological factor contributes to this risk?

• Decreased thirst sensation

• Increased kidney function

• Decreased body fat

• Elevated insulin production

An older adult client’s family is concerned about his slowed movements and reaction times. Which of the following biological changes primarily contributes to this?

• Decreased neuron conduction speed

• Increased muscle elasticity

• Faster synapse transmission

• Enhanced proprioception

A social worker advocates for hearing screenings in a senior community. Which biological change makes this important in later adulthood?

• Thickening of the eardrum improves sound clarity

• Presbycusis, gradual loss of high-frequency hearing

• Improved auditory nerve conduction

• Decreased earwax production prevents blockage

A caregiver reports to you that their 83-year-old mother frequently repeats herself, forgets recent events, struggles with problem-solving, and becomes disoriented in familiar places. Using your knowledge of biological aspects of later adulthood, which progressive condition would you consider as a possible cause?

• Parkinson’s disease

• Normal age-related forgetfulness

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Delirium

While developing a community health initiative for older adults, a social worker prioritizes education and screenings for the leading causes of death in this population. Which of the following health conditions should be a primary focus based on national trends?

• Asthma and osteoporosis

• Alzheimer's disease and pneumonia

• Influenza and arthritis

• Heart disease and cancer

A social worker at a senior center is meeting with an older adult client who recently retired and reports feeling lost without the daily routine of work. The client says, “I don’t know who I am anymore now that I’m not working. I just stay home and feel like I have no purpose.” Based on Peck’s (1968) theory of psychological adjustments in later adulthood, what should the social worker encourage the client to focus on FIRST?

• Reconnecting with former coworkers to maintain a sense of work-related identity.

• Exploring new hobbies and interests to help build a sense of identity beyond work.

• Joining a fitness program to improve physical health and appearance.

• Discussing the client’s fears about death and making arrangements for the future.