Chapter 19: The Aging Adult: Vocabulary

Question	Answer
Alzheimer disease	type of dementia in which discrete patches of brain tissue degenerate; this devastating disease eventually affects all body functions
cascade iatrogenesis	downward spiral of sequence of adverse events often triggered by a medical or surgical intervention during the hospitalization of an older adult
delirium	a temporary state of confusion
dementia	organic impairment of intellectual functioning, gradually leading to interference with social or occupational functioning, memory and often personality integration
functional health	level of health defined by one's ability to carry out usual and desired daily activities
polypharmacy	the use of many medications at the same time
sundowning syndrome	describes a phenomenon when a person habitually becomes confused or disoriented with darkness

Resource summary

	Created by Alexandra Bozan over 6 years ago