Key Terms

Adverse drug reaction
any response that is unintended and undesired and that occurs at doses normally used.

Ageism
negative attitudes or prejudice toward older persons

Agerasia
healthy and vigorous old age

Compliance
the extent to which a patient’s behavior coincides with a practitioner’s planned medical regimen.

Dysgeusia
altered taste involving both flavor and acuity

Dysphagia
difficulty swallowing

Hospice
an organization, independent or within an institution, that provides a centralized interdisciplinary program of supportive services to persons and their families seeking end of life care. These services can include palliative, pain management, pastoral care, social service resources, etc.

Hyperoralia
placing inappropriate objects in the mouth

Nocturia
excessive urination at night Polypharmacy taking 3 or more drugs daily Young old age 65 to 74

Old
age 75 to 84

Old old
age 85 and older.