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    Handout1 - Normal Changes of Aging

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    pissednachos0123
    This document summarizes many of the normal age-related changes that can occur in the major body systems as people age. It discusses changes in vision, hearing, taste/smell/touch, the integumentary system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological system, urinary system, gastrointestinal system, hematologic system, endocrine system, immune system and musculoskeletal system. It also lists some common illnesses that may occur with each system and nursing implications for caring for older adults.

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    Handout1 - Normal Changes of Aging

    Uploaded by

    pissednachos0123
    329 views3 pages
    This document summarizes many of the normal age-related changes that can occur in the major body systems as people age. It discusses changes in vision, hearing, taste/smell/touch, the integumentary system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological system, urinary system, gastrointestinal system, hematologic system, endocrine system, immune system and musculoskeletal system. It also lists some common illnesses that may occur with each system and nursing implications for caring for older adults.

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    This document summarizes many of the normal age-related changes that can occur in the major body systems as people age. It discusses changes in vision, hearing, taste/smell/touch, the integumentary system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological system, urinary system, gastrointestinal system, hematologic system, endocrine system, immune system and musculoskeletal system. It also lists some common illnesses that may occur with each system and nursing implications for caring for older adults.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    329 views3 pages

    Handout1 - Normal Changes of Aging

    Uploaded by

    pissednachos0123
    This document summarizes many of the normal age-related changes that can occur in the major body systems as people age. It discusses changes in vision, hearing, taste/smell/touch, the integumentary system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, neurological system, urinary system, gastrointestinal system, hematologic system, endocrine system, immune system and musculoskeletal system. It also lists some common illnesses that may occur with each system and nursing implications for caring for older adults.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    The document discusses several normal age-related changes that can occur in various body systems including vision, hearing, skin, respiratory, urinary, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune, hematologic and musculoskeletal systems. It also mentions some common illnesses and nursing implications for older adults.

    Some common age-related changes in vision mentioned are thinning of skin around the eyes, decrease in eyelid and lacrimal gland musculature, smaller pupil size, decreased reading ability and color discrimination, and presbyopia which makes it difficult to see objects held close.

    Some common age-related changes in the respiratory system mentioned are stiffening of the lungs due to loss of elasticity in the elastin and collagen, decreased respiratory muscle strength and endurance, and decreased cough reflex and mucociliary clearance ability.

    VISION

    Age-related changes in the eye


    1. thinning of the skin surrounding the eye
    2. decrease in musculature in the eyelids
    ectropion bottom lid sags outward
    entropion the lid turns inward
    3. arcus senilis ((corneal calcium deposits)
    4. smaller pupil size
    5. decreased reading & color discrimination ability
    6. atrophy of lacrimal glands results in dry eyes
    7. intraocular pressure
    Changes in vision among older persons are preceded
    by the following
    1. Decreasing sensitivity to light.
    2. Increased sensitivity to glare.
    3. Altered color vision
    Presbyopia a universal age-related change in the lens
    of the eye involving loss of accommodation.
    - objects held closer than 1-2 feet become difficult
    to see.
    COMMON ILLNESSES of the EYE
    1. Cataracts
    2. Glaucoma
    3. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)
    4. Diabetic retinopathy
    Visual impairment defined as visual acuity of 20/40 or
    worse
    Legal blindness is 20/200 or more
    Implications of age-related eye changes to
    nursing:
    a. Urge older adults to schedule routine eye
    examinations
    b. Assess older clients ability to perform ADL
    b. Consider safety measures like
    - adequate lighting
    - nonskid surfaces on stairs
    - use of stair rails
    - toxic substances & medicines with labels
    that are readable

    HEARING
    Age-related changes in the ear
    1. auricle tends to wrinkle & sag
    2. drier and harder cerumen that accumulates in
    the ear canal impacted cerumen
    3. dry ear canal pruritus
    4. atrophy of the inner ear structures hearing
    loss (presbycusis)
    Approximately 30% to 50% of people older than 65
    have significant hearing loss.
    Hearing loss increases with age and is greater in men.
    NURSING IMPLICATIONS
    1. Assess clients ability to communicate
    2. Check if client is able to hear alarms and
    doorbells
    3. Emphasize on safe driving & taking of public
    transportation
    4. Encourage client to engage in leisure &
    recreational activities
    TASTE, SMELL & TOUCH
    a. decrease in taste buds ( gradual)
    - taste deficits results to weight loss,
    malnutrition, impaired immunity
    b. atrophy of olfactory bulbs
    - diminished sense of smell (hyposmia)
    c. slower conduction of nerve impulses &
    diminished function of the peripheral nerves
    - decreased sensitivity to pain, temperature
    extremes and vibration

    NURSING IMPLICATIONS
    Taste
    1. Appetite enhancement strategies
    2. Check dentures for fit & cleanliness
    3. Inspect mouth for ulcers or gingivitis
    4. Identify possible offenders known to
    affect taste (ex. medications)
    5. Encourage fluid intake
    Smell
    1. implement safety precautions
    - placing natural gas detectors
    - placing smoke detectors
    - date and label food containers
    2. house cleaning & personal hygiene
    3. encourage daily waste disposal to prevent
    garbage smell
    Touch
    Focus assessment on:
    - impaired sense of touch
    - intactness of the skin
    - safety risks

    THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM


    Normal Changes of Aging
    a. thinning of the 3 layers of the skin.
    b. loss of subcutaneous fat
    > visible veins
    > wrinkled, dry & sagging skin
    > skin prone to damage
    c. decrease in collagen
    > loss of skin turgor
    d. nails grow more slowly, brittle; dull, yellow or gray
    color
    e. Loss of eyelid elasticity
    f. Epidermal mitosis slows by 30% - skin heals more
    slowly
    g. decrease melanocytes hair appears gray or white
    h. scalp, pubic & axillary hair declines due to the
    decline in the hormones
    i. less efficient manufacturing of Vit. D from sunlight
    j. changes in pigmentation with accumulation of
    discoloration
    photoaging

    Common Skin Problems


    1. skin cancer
    2. pressure ulcers
    3. cellulitis
    NURSING IMPLICATIONS
    1. Instruct client to avoid excessive use of soap,
    hot water & brisk rubbing when bathing
    - Pat skin dry instead of briskly rubbing.
    3. Lubricate the skin with a moisturizer multiple
    times a day.
    - Dry skin causes itchiness.
    4. Avoid prolonged pressure on bony
    prominences.
    5. Protect skin from temperature extremes.
    6. Soak nails before trimming.
    7. Dress appropriately for weather and climate.
    8. Protect skin from sun exposure risk of
    photodamage
    9. Evaluate and manage incontinence.
    > If soiling occurs, skin should be cleansed
    per routine.
    > Plastic- lined bed pads should not contact
    with the persons skin.
    10. Monitor nutrition.
    11. Provide Vitamin C & zinc to promote skin
    healing.
    12. Adequate fluid intake.

    Advise to stay mentally active


    Socialize with others

    . RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
    Changes that occur with aging:
    a. Lungs appear larger due to loss of elasticity
    (stiffening of elastin & the collagen connective
    tissue) lungs become more rigid.
    b. Weaker respiratory muscles.
    c. increased chest wall stiffness
    d. Decreased ciliary action.
    e. decreased number of alveoli
    f. increased respiration due to chest wall & thoracic
    spine
    deformities.
    g. lower amount of oxygen carried by the blood
    h. slower & less efficient gas exchange
    i. maximum breathing reduced.
    j. tendency to trap air (not able to exhale fully)

    1.
    2.
    3.
    4.
    5.

    Common Illnesses:
    Pneumonia
    Asthma
    COPD
    Tuberculosis
    Lung Cancer

    Interventions to maintain effective breathing &


    circulation
    1. Ensure airway patency clean nostrils
    2. Allow rest periods all throughout the day.
    3. Avoid exposing the elderly to cold & flu germs.
    4. Encourage plenty of fluid intake
    5. Proper nutrition
    6. Avoid smoking/ exposure to smoke
    CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
    Changes that occur with aging
    1. More prominent arteries in head, neck, and
    extremities.
    2. Stiffening of the heart valves
    3. Aorta become elongated and dilated.
    4. increase peripheral resistance and decrease
    cardiac output BP increases to compensate
    5. Less efficient oxygen utilization.
    6. Less elasticity of vessels.
    > arterial stiffening due to lipid deposits &
    calcification
    > veins thicken
    7. decreased number of normal pacemaker cells in
    the sinus node altered electrical activity of the
    heart
    8. Decreased cardiac output produces renin
    increases BP & retains sodium retention

    Common Illnesses:
    1. Hypertension/ hypotension
    2. hyperlipidemia
    3. metabolic syndrome condition
    characterized by elevated waist
    circumference, BP, fasting serum
    triglycerides & serum glucose
    4. MI
    5. Angina
    6. Varicosities due to valvular reflux
    7. Postural or orthostatic hypotension

    Nursing Interventions to ensure a healthy


    cardiovascular system

    Advise elderly to avoid/stop smoking

    Encourage daily exercises

    Promote healthy diet low salt, low cholesterol


    - calcium-rich foods

    Encourage client to control his weight

    Schedule regular check-ups

    NEUROLOGIC SYSTEM
    Normal Changes of Aging
    1.Brain decreases in size (by approximately 7%)
    2. Loss of neurons in the brain (up to 20% ).
    3. Slowing of coordinated movements.
    4. Deterioration of balance mechanisms.
    5. Decreased sensation ( touch, taste, hearing, vision ).
    6. Decrease in cerebral blood flow.
    7. Diminished deep sleep.
    8. Little decline in intellect.
    9. Some memory changes :
    > Losses in short term memory.
    > Clarity of long term memory.

    Common Illnesses:

    1. Dementia
    > Alzheimers Disease
    > Vascular dementia
    2. Parkinsons Disease
    3. Stroke / Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
    4. Multiple Sclerosis

    Preventing neurological problems in the older


    adults:

    1. Clients must remain active & engaged in life


    2. Develop hobbies and interests
    3. Eat a well-balanced diet
    4. Avoid stress & anxiety enjoy life
    5. Exercise to remain or become fit
    6. Stay connected with at least one person on a
    daily basis
    URINARY SYSTEM
    Normal renal changes of aging
    1. Kidneys shrink & become less efficient.
    > UTI
    2. Bladder capacity declines.
    > increased frequency in urination especially during
    the night
    3. Decreased ability to concentrate urine risk for
    dehydration
    . Detrusor muscle less contractile
    > inability to empty bladder completely UTI and
    Incontinence
    5. Decreased glomerular filtration rate
    6. Decreased renal blood flow
    7. Increased renal threshold for glucose
    See separate sheet for additional info about the renal
    system
    GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
    Normal age-related changes in the older adult
    1. Decreased blood supply to intestines digestive
    disorders / malabsorption syndrome.
    2. Decreased liver size & function.
    decreased metabolism , decreased drug
    detoxification.
    3.
    Delayed gastric motility & emptying.
    diarrhea, or constipation, fecal incontinence
    4.Changes in the mouth including loss of teeth &
    decreased salivation secretion

    Common Illnesses:
    1. Esophageal disorders

    2.
    3.
    4.
    5.
    6.

    Dysphagia
    Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    Gastritis
    Peptic and Duodenal Ulcer
    Crohns Disease

    HEMATOLOGIC SYSTEM
    Changes in older adults
    1.Number of stem cells in the marrow is decreased
    2. Decreased number of RBC
    decline in phagocytosis & ability to fight
    pathogen.
    3. Reduced ability to accelerate RBC production
    inspite of administration of erythropoietin.
    anemia

    Measures to prevent GIT problems in older adults:

    1. Eat a balanced diet that is high in fiber & low in fat &
    processed carbohydrates
    2. Maintain a normal weight.
    3. Decrease the size of portions at mealtime
    4. Avoid lying down for 2 3 hours after eating
    5. Stop smoking or using tobacco products.
    6. Limit use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents

    Common Illnesses:
    1. Anemia
    2. Thrombocythemia increased number of
    circulating platelets in the blood
    3. Lymphomas evidenced by presence of
    excess lymphocytes
    MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM

    . ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
    Normal changes of aging:
    Normal changes in the endocrine system
    Decrease or increase secretion & action of insulin.
    > peripheral tissues may become insulin-resistant
    2. Changes in secretion & action of thyroid hormone.

    1.

    Common Illnesses:
    1. Diabetes Mellitus
    2. Thyroid disorders
    > Hyperthyroidism
    > Hypothyroidism
    Nursing Implications:
    1. Weight management
    2. Avoid or reduce alcohol intake
    3. Exercise
    4. Refer to dietician for
    basic food & meal plan
    guides
    IMMUNE SYSTEM

    a.

    Normal changes of aging


    decreased number of B cells in the circulation
    > tissues slower to repair / more vulnerable to
    diseases
    b. production of IgE declines
    > decrease in allergic reaction
    c. Increase antibody production that reacts against the
    persons own body cells
    > development of autoimmune diseases

    Common Illnesses:
    1. Hypersensitivity
    2. Primary Immunodeficiency disorders
    > HIV/ AIDS
    3. Susceptibility to Infections
    > pneumonia
    > UTI
    > Skin infections

    Nursing Implications:
    1. Assist older people in identifying active, positive
    coping strategies
    2. Educate people about effects of stress
    3. Emphasize importance of obtaining yearly
    influenza immunization
    4. Encourage clients to develop an exercise
    plan appropriate for their physical status.

    1. Decrease in height is common ( range of 2 to 4


    inches from spinal column ).
    2. Decrease ROM in some joints.
    3. Decreases in lean body mass - muscle atrophy
    especially with disease
    4. Shrinking of vertebral discs. Loss of bone mass.
    6. Decrease in reflexes.
    7. Calcium loss in bones
    > bones become brittle/ may break easily
    8. Joint degeneration with arthritic changes.
    9. Increase postural sway & difficulty maintaining
    balance.
    10. Slower & shorter gait
    11. Foot problems like bunions, corns, calouses,
    can contribute to gait problems and falls.
    Older persons are prone to develop
    1. Osteoporosis
    2. Osteomalacia
    3. Osteoarthritis
    3. Kyphosis hunchback
    Nursing Implications:
    1. promote diet adequate in calcium & Vit D
    2. Encourage weight-bearing exercises
    3. Reduce or eliminate smoking/ alcohol intake
    4. Monitor safety measures
    5. Active ROM Exercises
    > stretching 10 mins per day

    JRU2013-14

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