Body Changes in Aging

8/13/2019 Body Changes in Aging

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Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Chapter5

Common Aging Changes


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Introduction

Changes of aging are highly individualized

Changes are also different in various bodysystems of the individual

Changes influenced by:

Genetic factors, environment, diet, health,stress, and lifestyle choices


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Changes in the Body: Cells

Changes start at the basic cellular level

Number of cells is reduced

Reduction in lean body mass

Total body fat increases

Decrease in intracellular fluid


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Changes in the Body: Physical Appearance

Begins in the fourth decade of life

Hair loss, gray hair, and wrinkles

Atrophy of body fat

Loss of tissue elasticity

Reduction in skin-fold thickness

Decrease in stature


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Changes in the Body: Respiratory System

Reduction in respiratory activity

Less lung expansion

Increased residual capacity and reduced vitalcapacity

High risk for respiratory infection



Question Which of the normal age-related changes in the

respiratory system can increase the risk ofinfection in the older adult population?

a. Decrease in the anterior-posterior diameter ofthe chest

b. Increased strength of the thoracic musculature

c. Increase in residual volume and reduction invital capacity

d.Decreased calcification of costal cartilage



Answer

c.Increase in residual volume and reduction in

vital capacity

As residual volume increases, the vital

capacity is reduced, and maximum breathingcapacity decreases placing older adults at highrisk for developing respiratory infections



Changes in the Body:Cardiovascular System

Heart size unchanged in absence of pathology

Valves become thick and rigid

Heart muscle loses efficiency

Reduced cardiac output under physiologic

stress

Reduced elasticity of blood vessels

Increased peripheral resistance



Changes in the Body:Gastrointestinal System

Tooth loss is not a normal part of aging

Less acute taste sensations

Increased risk of aspiration, indigestion, andconstipation

Effect on esophageal motility

Atrophy of the small and large intestines



Question

Is the following statement true or false?

Atrophy of the small and large intestine, with

fewer cells present on the absorbing surface ofthe intestinal wall, causes certain vitamins andminerals to have a decreased rate of absorption.



Answer

True.

Absorption of vitamin B, vitamin B12, vitamin D,

calcium, and iron is decreased in the intestine ofthe older adult.



Changes in the Body: Urinary System

Reduction in renal blood flow and filtration

Reduced bladder capacity

Urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia are

common in the older adult population

Incontinence is nota normal part of aging



Changes in the Body: Reproductive System

Male:

Reduction in sperm count in some men

Prostatic enlargement

Female:

Atrophy

Estrogen depletion


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Changes in the Body:Musculoskeletal System

Atrophy and reduction in the number of musclefibers

Tendons shrink and harden

Reduction in bone mineral and mass

Increased risk of fractures


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Changes in the Body: Nervous System

Reduction in nerve cells, cerebral blood flow,

and metabolism Slower reflexes, delayed responses, and

changes in balance

Health of the nervous system affected by allother body systems

Changes in sleep patterns


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Question

Which of the following is a normal age-relatedchange of the nervous system?

a.Decline in the weight of the brain

b.Increase in cerebral blood flow

c. Stage I and II sleep are interrupted

d.Higher nerve conduction velocity


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Answer

a. Decline in the weight of the brain

There is a decline in brain weight and areduction in blood flow to the brain. Stages IIIand IV sleep become less prominent. Nerveconduction velocity is lower which causesslower reflexes and delayed response tomultiple stimuli.


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Changes in the Body: Sensory OrgansVision

Presbyopia

Narrowing of the visual field; decreasedperipheral vision

Pupil less responsive to light

Potential for macular degeneration


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Changes in the Body: Sensory OrgansVision (contd)

Opacification of the lens: potential for cataracts

Distortion in depth perception

Arcus senilis

Decline in visual acuity


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Changes in the Body: Sensory OrgansHearing

Presbycusis

Distortion of high-pitched sounds

Accumulation of cerumen

Alteration in equilibrium


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Changes in the Body: Sensory Organs

Loss of ability to smell

Altered sense of taste

Reduction in tactile sensation

These changes all result in a potential riskrelated to safety issues


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Changes in the Body: Endocrine System

Decreased thyroid gland activity

Altered release of insulin

ACTH secretion decreases with age

Delayed and insufficient release of insulin

Decreased tissue sensitivity to circulating insulin

Reduced ability to metabolize glucose


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Changes in the Body:Integumentary System

Skin is less elastic, more dry, and more fragile

Thinning and graying of hair

Reduced sweat gland activity


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Changes in the Body: Immune System

Depressed immune response:

T-cell activity declines

Decline in cell-mediated immunity

Potential for infection

Potential for reactivation of dormantvaricella-zoster and Mycobacteriumtuberculosis


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Changes in the Body: Thermoregulation

Lower normal body temperatures

Reduced ability to respond to cold temperatures

Differences in response to heat


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Question

Is the following statement true or false?

Mean body temperatures of the older adult

range from 96.9F to 98.3F orally.


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Answer

True.

Normal body temperatures are lower later in life

than in younger years.


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Changes in the Mind

Causes of psychological changes

Personality remains consistent with that ofthe earlier years in the absence of disease

Changes in memory

Intelligence and aging Learning ability and aging

Attention span


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Nursing Implications ofAge-Related Changes

Understanding of aging changes is essential for

competent gerontological nursing practice

Health promotion

Acknowledgment of factors that can alter

function with aging

Emphasis on capabilities and assets possessedby the older adult

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Body Changes in Aging