Welcome to the Healthy Ageing Module.
This module will provide you with an interactive case study in which you will consider the components of successful ageing, and common health problems related to ageing.
Once you have completed the Pre-Module Test below you will be able to commence the Healthy Ageing Case Study.
Mrs Browning is a 65 year old woman who is concerned that she isn’t sleeping as well as she used to.
Review Mrs Browning’s history through the links below before moving on to her interview and assessments.
Mrs Browning has come in for assessment because she is concerned that she isn’t sleeping as well as she used to and consequently, she is having some trouble maintaining her level of energy and participation in her every day life. She is feeling irritable, having trouble with her regular commitment to charity work and is also concerned about her safety whilst driving. She is unable to identify a likely cause of her sleeping problems and feels that sleeping pills may help.
Mrs Browning ’s medical history is unremarkable. She had a hysterectomy at age 43. She has had mild osteoarthritis in her hands for several years, but is not on any medication for this. Mrs Browning is happy for the arthritis to remain untreated so long as she can still cook, garden, do her crafts and hold her hand of cards! She last saw the doctor 2 years ago for a chest infection that was treated with antibiotics.
Mrs Browning is currently taking no medications
Mrs Browning is a part-time kindergarten teacher and retired semi-professional athlete. Up until the age of 32, Mrs Browning played state level basketball and made the national team twice in her mid-twenties, Mrs Browning has stayed exceptionally active and still swims regularly with her swimming squad at Challenge Stadium, plays tennis twice a week and cycles around the bridges or King’s Park on the weekends with her husband, Denny. Mr and Mrs Browning have 5 children and 14 grandchildren.
Mrs Browning is also a volunteer at Shenton Park Dog Shelter and her local “Save The Children” Charity Shop. She enjoys a varied social life, including a regular card night with friends, movies, theatre, fishing and travelling. Mrs Browning also enjoys various crafts, including quilting and scrapbooking.
Family History
Mrs Browning knows little of her family history, as the majority of her family still live in Canada. She emigrated to Australia after meeting and falling in love with Denny during the war. Her father died in a skiing accident at 68 and her mother developed diabetes later in life and passed away at 84, presumably of a heart attack. To the best of her knowledge, Mrs Browning has no family history of cancer, heart disease, or osteoporosis.
For more information on the common side effects of over the counter medications,
Substance | Side-Effects |
Alcohol | Sleep induction and sleep duration |
B blockers | Alteration of sleep physiology, increase in nightmares |
Caffeine | Stimulant |
Corticosteroids | Stimulant, may cause agitation, vivid dreams |
Diuretics | Nocturia |
Theophylline | Stimulant |
Guarana | Stimulant |
Ephedrine | Stimulant |
And for more information on safe alcohol consumption, see the following link,
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/your_health/healthy/alcohol/index.htm
Request further laboratory tests to help determine cause of insomnia, buy clicking on the tabs below. Review results before proceeding.
Polysomnography is not a first line investigation. It can help determine whether there is an underlying sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnoea. Results of Mrs Browning’s test result showed no evidence of an underlying sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnoea.
Normal Polysomnography
Mrs Browning may be interested in her cholestrerol levels as part of a general health assessment, but it is not mandatory in the investigation of insomnia. Her total fasting cholesterol is normal, 3.1mmol/L (normal range <5.5mmol/L).
“Checking sugars” is often wise, especially if there is polyuria. At 4.2mmol/L, Mrs Browning’s fasting blood glucose is within the normal limit (normal range <= 6.0 mmol/L).
This is not indicated unless Mrs Browning complains of angina or other cardiac symptoms.
Impaired kidney function, or electrolyte imbalances, can contribute to malaise.
Urea 5.1 mmol/L (normal range 3.0-8.0 mmol/L)
Na 138 mmol/L (normal range 134-146 mmol/L)
K+ 4.1 mmol/L (normal range 3.4-5.0 mmol/L)
Cr 60 µmol/L (normal range 50-95 µmol/L for adult females)
Both hyper and hypo thyroidism can contribute to sleep disorders.
TSH 1.6 mU/L (normal range 0.40-4.0 mU/L)
It is often worthwhile checking haemoglobin levels in people who are tired. Occasionally there is an important underlying cause such as anaemia. Mrs Browning’s haemoglobin is at a healthy 138g/L (normal range for adult females is 115-160 g/L). Excluding blood dyscrasias is often important in people presenting with non-specific symptoms such as insomnia. Mrs Browning's cell counts were all within normal range.
Even though Mrs Browning assures you that her mood is good and she seems to have a positive outlook on life, to be safe, you perform a geriatric depression scale. She scores 1/15 indicating she is unlikely to be depressed (a score higher than 5 indicates depression). There is no evidence of elevated mood during your history taking or your interview (occasionally bipolar disorder can present with altered sleep patterns).
To view Mrs Browning's GDS, please click here.
Based on the results of your assessments of Mrs Browning, the most likely cause of her insomnia is:
Mrs Browning’s insomnia is due to normal age-related changes in the circadian rhythm.
Based on this diagnosis, which of the following treatment options might be considered in Mrs Browning’s case?
Insomnia is the most common sleep complaint in older adults, with a prevalence of 20-40%. It is not benign, and can lead to decreased quality of life, worsening cognitive performance, increased falls risk, and an increased risk of hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Rather than prescribe benzodiazepines, such as temazepam, Mrs Browning is counselled about the normal changes in her sleeping patterns, a number of lifestyle changes are suggested.
These include:
If her sleeping problems persist, Mrs Browning will attend the 12 week sleep course.
It has been ten years since you last saw Mrs Browning. She represents at the age of 75 because she is concerned that she has “started to go weak”
Mrs Browning is still very physically and socially active. She is no longer cycling but still swims 3 times a week, plays social tennis and enjoys a daily walk with her dog, Max. The reason for Mrs Browning’s visit is that she has started to notice a decrease in her muscle strength, not just with exercise, but also with less challenging activity such as housework and gardening. Mrs Browning also feels that her balance is not as good as it could be. She denies any muscle aches and has had no falls. She still takes no regular medication.
Take a relevant history and perform necessary assessments to investigate the cause Mrs Browning’s muscle weakness.
Please click on the questions below to obtain Mrs Browning’s answer
Request further laboratory tests to help determine the cause of Mrs Browning’s muscle weakness, by clicking on the tabs below. Review results before proceeding.
Haemoglobin 138 g/l (normal range 135-180 g/L)
MCV 91 fl (normal range 80-100 fl)
WBC 7.0x10^9/L (normal range 4.0-11.0x10^9/L)
Platelets 255x10^9/L (normal range 150-400x10^9/L)
Urea 6.0 mmol/L (normal range 3.0-8.0 mmol/L)
Creatinine 78 µmol/L (normal range 50-95 µmol/L for adult females)
Sodium 141 mmol/L (normal range 134-146 mmol/L)
K 3.8 mmol/L (normal range 3.4-5.0 mmol/L)
There is no evidence of renal failure or disordered potassium regulation, although calculation of the glomerular filtration rate would be recommended.
Ionized Ca 1.30 mmol/L (with normal range: 1.12-1.32 mmol/L)
Vitamin D 85 nmol/L (within normal range: >50 nmol/L)
Creatinine Kinase 12 U/L (normal range for adult females <150 U/L)
The physical function assessment reveals that Mrs Browning has moderate joint changes indicative of osteoarthritis particularly affecting her hands and knees. She has reduced grip strength in both hands and hip and knee extensor strength (unable to rise from a standard chair without using her arms to push off). She finds kneeling in the garden uncomfortable and it is increasingly difficult to get up from kneeling. Joint range is within normal limits although she has tight hip flexors bilaterally, and is beginning to exhibit an increased thoracic kyphosis and concomitant increased cervical lordosis.
Based on the results of Mrs Browning’s assessments, what is the most likely cause of her muscle weakness? Please click on the diagnosis you feel is most likely and submit your answer to obtain feedback.
Mrs Browning is otherwise very well and the problems she is experiencing are likely to be due to normal age related changes in neuromuscular condition.
Mrs Browning is counselled about these changes, and encouraged to maintain her physical and social activity.
She has been prescribed specific mobility exercises (including stretches in prone lying) and specific strengthening exercises for hands and her leg extensors (which can be performed as a home program). It was also recommended that she commence a class activity such as Tai Chi or Physio Chi (a modified version of Tai Chi especially designed for older adults).
Mrs Browning feels more confident after starting the strengthening exercises and has decided to take up Tai Chi to help with muscle strength, flexibility and balance.
There is one more thing to consider…
Mrs Browning represents at the age of 85 because she wants to continue driving.
Mrs Browning is now a spritely 85 year old, who still swims, plays occasional tennis and practices regular Tai Chi. She has maintained a busy social life since her husband passed away 3 years ago. She is otherwise well, but is needs a doctor to sign off on her driver’s license.
Take a relevant history and perform necessary assessments to investigate Mrs Browning’s ability to drive.
Please click on the questions below to obtain Mrs Browning’s answer
Based on the history given, what are the possible causes of deterioration in Mrs Browning’s eyesight? Click on those condition/s that you think are likely and then submit your answer to obtain feedback.;
Based on the history given, what is the most likely cause of Mrs Browning’s hearing loss? Click on the condition that you think are likely and then submit your answer to obtain feedback.
Request further tests to help determine the cause Mrs Browning’s hearing and eyesight issues, buy clicking on the tabs below. Review results before proceeding.
On physical examination there is reduced visual acuity with 6/9 on the left and 6/7.5 on the right. Her visual fields are normal and her eye movements are intact. The fundi are difficult to visualise because of a cloudy appearance in the anterior chamber in both eyes. It is possible that she has bilateral cataracts and probable macular degeneration.
Cataracts
Macular Degeneration
Photo source: Moran Eye Centre
In order to formally rule out glaucoma as a possible contributory cause of deterioration of Mrs Browning’s eyesight, she is referred for pressure testing. Pressure in both eyes was within the normal range: 16mmHG in the left eye and 17mmHG in the right.
This examination also confirmed the presence of bilateral cataracts.
A simple bedside screen indicates Mrs Browning has difficulty with higher pitched whispering, especially in the left ear.
There is no evidence of cerumen impaction or ear infection.
Mrs Browning does appear to be experiencing some degree of hearing loss, so she is also referred her to an audiologist as part of her medical check-up. The hearing test shows evidence of presbycusis (normal age related hearing loss), more marked at higher frequencies, although it is not yet severe enough to necessitate hearing aids.
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss
It appears that Mrs Browning has bilateral cataracts.
Cataract surgery is associated with a small number of risks, including infection and bleeding. It is important to keep the eyes clean after surgery, wash hands before touching the eyes, and that use medication to help prevent infection.
Mrs Browning’s cataracts are individually removed, 6 weeks apart and both surgical procedures were successful. The ophthalmologist also noted some mild macular degeneration and arranges for Mrs Browning to have a post-surgical visual assessment. Click on the image below to see the outcome.
Mrs Browning also attends a follow-up visit with the Audiologist with regard to the results of her hearing test. Click on the image below to see the recommendations made.
After a short recovery, Mrs Browning is able to continue driving and after making family and friends aware of her slight hearing difficulty, is feeling much more comfortable in social gatherings.
Mrs Browning represents at the age of 95 because she is worried about her bowel habit.
At 95 years old, Mrs Browning is still driving, swimming and practicing Tai Chi. Mrs Browning’s eyesight is still quite good, having responded well to the cataract surgery 10 years ago and her mild osteoarthritis is responding well to simple analgesics. She is still quilting, having recently completed a bedspread for her third great-grandchild and is teaching her five granddaughters the art of scrapbooking. She had hearing aids fitted 4 years ago and is very happy with the result. Mrs Browning loves spending time with her children and grandchildren and is still quite socially active.
She is otherwise well, but has noticed that her bowels have become sluggish. This has been slowly progressive over the last few years and she has bouts of quite severe constipation. She has been taking Metamucil, which helped initially, but does not seem to be working as effectively anymore. Mrs Browning is concerned that she may have bowel cancer. She also confesses to moments of urinary incontinence.
Take a history and perform necessary assessments to determine the most likely cause of Mrs Browning’s constipation and incontinence.
Click on the questions below to see Mrs Browning's response.
Based on the patient history and physical examination, what would be the next steps in investigating Mrs Browning’s symptoms?
Please click on the tabs below to obtain the results of the investigations
FBP showed normal Hb and FOBT was negative - no blood in stools.
An MSU was performed and the urine culture was positive. The UTI was successfully treated with a 10 day course of amoxicillin 500mg.
A colonoscopy was scheduled for Mrs Browning. Despite her age, this test was considered appropriate as she is in good health and it has greater diagnostic yield than alternatives tests to investigate altered bowel habit.
The results revealed no significant pathology. There was no evidence of benign polyps or adenoma’s.
Please click in the tabs below to obtain the results of the continence and diet assessments.
Incontinence in the elderly can be the result of a number of factors. In Mrs Browning’s case, straining to empty the bowels has weakened the pelvic floor muscles, resulting in stress incontinence.
As result of urine being retained in the bladder for long periods of time, Mrs Browning has recently developed a UTI, which was successfully treated with amoxicillan.
After Mrs Browning’s constipation was alleviated through dietary changes, she was still experiencing less frequent moments of stress incontinence when coughing, sneezing or getting up from a chair. She was therefore prescribed specific exercises to strengthen her pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this should significantly reduce Mrs Browning’s incidences of incontinence.
In the meantime, low absorbency hygiene products appropriate for stress incontinence have been recommended.
Mrs Browning is not eating enough good sources of soluble and insoluble fibre in her diet. As fibre is indigestible, it adds bulk to the faeces making it more easily pushed along the digestive tract. Soluble fibre helps to soften the faeces. Good sources of soluble fibre include legumes, fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fibre adds bulk to the faeces helping it to move more quickly through the bowel. Good sources of insoluble fibre are in wheat bran, wholegrain breads and cereals.
Mrs Browning eats predominantly white bread, meat, potatoes and boiled vegetables. In recent years, her intake of biscuits and cake has increased, while her intake of fresh fruit has decreased. Porridge is a good source of fibre, so it is recommended that this remain in her diet. Muesli and other wholegrain breads and cereals, along with fruit and natural yoghurt, can also be added to Mrs Browning’s breakfast foods.
Legumes, such as baked beans, lentils, kidney beans, split peas and chick peas would also be healthy additions to her diet. She should add these to the soups and casseroles that she already makes. Mrs Browning might also steam or lightly stir-fry her vegetables, rather than boil them, as this retains more of the natural fibre and nutrients present in these foods.
Mrs Browning’s water intake, at 2-4 glasses per day, is also insufficient. She is advised to drink at least 8 glasses per day, particularly with the increase in her dietary fibre intake. The fibre in faeces will only plump up with water. Constipation may reoccur from a high fibre diet if insufficient water is consumed.
Mrs Browning is reassured that the colonoscopy results and changes in her bowel habits are most likely due to decreased gut motility that occurs as a normal part of ageing. She has been given specific advice on increasing the amount of fibre in her diet and the importance of increasing her water intake in line with this.
Mrs Browning’s incontinence problems were related to the constipation. After increasing the fibre and water in her diet and regularly performing the pelvic floor exercises, both the constipation and incontinence have markedly improved and are no longer a concern for Mrs Browning or affecting her quality of life.
Mrs Browning comes to see you a year later for a routine check-up. She has moved suburbs and is now living in a retirement village - primarily for the community atmosphere and fabulous social life. She is still well and active and has recently met a new man, Charles, who is 15 years her junior and enjoys similar interests.
A few things to consider after completion of this module…
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