Physiological Changes in Older Adults

Decreased cardiac output and increased chance of heart failure.

Increased risk for infection.

Decreased peripheral circulation.

Decreased testosterone levels.

Increased risk for vascular occlusion.

Decreased amount of facial and pubic hair.

Increased dependent edema and increased incidence of orthostatic hypotension.

Pneumonia and annual influenza immunizations.

Increased capillary fragility leading to senile purpura.

Ability to smell and taste.

Anemia.

Integral parts of the aging process, including changes in physical appearance, functionality decline, and chronic diseases.

Decreased rate and force of ejaculation.

Decreased number of pacemaker cells.

Exposure to smoke and pollutants, and smoking.

Diminished breath sounds, lower maximum expiratory volume, increased residual volume, and reduced vital capacity.

Decreased density and thickness of hair on the head and body.

Monitor laboratory tests, including Hgb, Hct, WBC, and differential.

Teach the importance of storing food properly.

They can contribute to physiological changes.

Decreased speed in gaining an erection.

40–100 beats per minute.

Aging.

Decreased bone calcium.

Rosacea and various forms of dermatitis.

Decreased estrogen levels.

A chronic, progressive, and disabling autoimmune disease causing inflammation, swelling, and pain in and around the joints.

Washing hands frequently.

A group of three respiratory disorders: asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

Decreased rate of nail growth and increased brittleness.

Exercise.

Slight delay in reflex response.

Nasal and sinus problems, viral infections, certain medications, dental problems, cigarette smoking, head or facial injury, and diseases affecting the central nervous system.

Decreased adaptation to changes in blood pressure.

To detect deviations from the norm.

Increased risk for eye irritation.

Kyphosis.

Swallow and gag reflexes.

Avoid excessive UV exposure, keep moisturized, avoid drying soaps, use sunscreen, stay hydrated, and protect skin from injury.

The largest organ of the body, consisting of the skin and its accessory structures.

Decreased vaginal secretions.

Peristalsis slows, leading to issues like dysphagia, reflux, and constipation.

Blood, blood vessels, and the heart.

A variety of influenza viruses.

The small, fluid-filled sacs called bursae that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near joints.

Reduced appetite and food intake.

Increased longitudinal ridges and thickening/yellowing of nails.

Changes due to the passage of time caused by internal factors related to degeneration of physiological processes.

Good oral hygiene, better food preparation, and using flavor enhancers.

Decreased tissue elasticity, increased blurring, decreased muscle tone, decreased pupil diameter, increased refractive errors, decreased night vision, increased sensitivity to glare, and decreased peripheral vision.

Increased risk for heart murmurs.

Increased discoloration.

Decreased fluid in intervertebral disks.

Seek assistance.

Weight changes, weighing at least once a month.

To provide a rigid structure that gives the body its shape.

Report to the physician.

Communication, sensation (touch, warmth, cold, pain), protection, temperature regulation, excretion, fat storage, and vitamin D production.

Decreased tissue elasticity.

Due to altered structural integrity of touch receptors and decreased tactile sensitivity.

The incidence of several gut pathologies, including colon cancer, rises with age.

Acute inflammation of the lungs caused by various agents including bacterial, viral, and fungal.

A buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints.

To transport oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to organs and metabolic waste to excretory organs.

There is shrinkage in neuron size and a gradual decrease in neuron numbers.

Dry mouth.

Aging resulting from chronic exposure to external factors like smoking, poor nutrition, and UV light.

Increased androgen/estrogen ratio.

Calcium and sodium levels, and blood glucose.

Blepharitis, diplopia, cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

Increased blood pressure and weaker peripheral pulses.

Decreased color perception.

Increased risk for falls.

A common heart condition involving atherosclerotic plaque formation in the vessel lumen, impairing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the myocardium.

Assess intake of nutrients and fluids, and educate on recommended dietary intake.

Red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and white blood cells (WBCs).

Neurologic evaluation.

Decreased pubic hair.

As either chronological aging (intrinsic) or extrinsic aging.

All body systems are affected to a greater or lesser degree.

Misperception of the environment and profound safety risks.

The bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spread by airborne droplets.

Inability to hear high-frequency sounds due to loss of auditory neurons in the spiral ganglia.

There are structural changes in dendrites.

They can interfere with digestion and evacuation.

Characterized by thinness and reduced elasticity, resulting in fine wrinkles.

Regular intake of vitamin D and calcium, protected sunlight exposure, weight-bearing exercise, flexibility and balance exercises, and avoiding excessive joint strain.

Monitor skin temperature and assess skin turgor.

Cerumen impaction.

Protect eyes from ultraviolet light by wearing sunglasses when outside.

Decreased tissue elasticity.

Presence and strength of peripheral pulses comparing both sides of the body.

Decreased muscle strength.

Blood flow to the heart is reduced, preventing the heart muscle from receiving enough oxygen.

Bowel routines.

They provide a power source to move the bones.

Decreased size of the uterus.

Assess balance and reflexes.

Increased pallor in white skin.

They constantly monitor and adjust hormone production as needed.

They can significantly affect functional ability, self-image, and lifestyle.

The endocrine system and the nervous system.

Bronchogenic cancer.

Deposits of lipofuscin granules, neuritic plaque, and neurofibrillary bodies.

Cochlear conductive loss, with inability to hear at all frequencies but more pronounced at higher frequencies.

Significant changes that increase the risk of bacterial infection.

Deep wrinkles, sagging, and a leathery appearance.

Alteration in nerve cells of the vestibular system, cerebellum, and proprioception reflexes.

Administration of prophylactic drops.

Institute measures to reduce pressure over bony prominences.

Inability to hear high-frequency sounds due to cochlear hair cell degeneration.

Ventilation and gas exchange, particularly the transfer of oxygen into and the release of carbon dioxide from the blood.

Increased blurring.

Decreased tissue elasticity.

Change positions slowly and seek assistance if dizzy.

A life-threatening condition where blood flow to the heart muscle is abruptly cut off, causing tissue damage.

Hiatal hernia, gastritis, ulcers, diverticulosis, diverticulitis, cancer, hemorrhoids, and rectal prolapse.

Bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Increased vaginal tissue fragility and irritation.

Safety precautions and use of assistive devices.

There is a decreased amount of melanin.

Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, and thymus.

Myocardial and blood vessel stiffening, decreased β-adrenoceptor responsiveness, impaired autonomic reflex control of heart rate, left ventricular hypertrophy, and fibrosis.

Dietary needs and self-testing of blood glucose.

Increased dental caries and tooth loss.

Normal physiologic changes and abnormal alterations requiring medical attention.

Hormones.

Equal loss of hearing at all frequencies (strial loss) and inability to localize sound.

There is a loss of myelin and decreased conduction in some nerves, especially peripheral nerves.

Exposure to carcinogenic agents like tobacco smoke, air pollution, and asbestos.

Adequacy of protein, iron, and vitamins.

Memory loss, incontinence, falling, sudden confusion, and constipation.

Irrigation.

Detection of sound and maintenance of balance.

Look for signs of maceration or yeast infection.

Myelin loss.

Decreased diameter of pupil and increased refractive errors.

Rest.

Sudden-onset dyspnea, chest discomfort, anxiety, confusion, syncope, decreased urine production, and diaphoresis.

Assess strength and functional mobility.

Decreased body fluids.

Good oral hygiene, balanced diet, adequate fluid intake, and responding promptly to the urge to defecate.

Decrease in total muscle and bone mass.

Increased pain with intercourse.

Structure tasks to reduce confusion and allow adequate time to perform them.

Decreased sebaceous and sweat gland function.

Pancreas, ovaries, and testes.

Body temperature, weight, hair distribution, or behavioral changes.

There is a decreased thirst perception, increasing the risk for dehydration and constipation.

Teaching about normal changes of aging.

Reproduction, growth and development, maintenance of homeostasis, response to stress, nutrient balance, cell metabolism, and energy balance.

Decreased tissue elasticity.

Changes in the precursors necessary for neurotransmitter synthesis occur.

Positioning the patient appropriately.

Basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Functioning of the hearing aid and battery status.

Decreased spoken word recognition.

Cochlear hair cell degeneration and loss of auditory neurons in the spiral ganglia.

Ankle and superficial reflexes.

Extreme orthopnea during sleep.

Excreting toxins, regulating water and salts, and maintaining acid-base balance in the blood.

Increased osteoporosis and increased curvature of the spine (kyphosis).

Decreased breast tissue mass.

Signs of drug toxicity.

Initiate safety precautions.

Decreased ability to trap debris.

A condition where any valve in the heart is damaged or diseased, preventing it from functioning properly.

Decreased rate and force of ejaculation.

Parkinson’s disease, Dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Transient Ischemic Attack, Cerebrovascular Accident.

Most hormone levels decrease, but some remain stable or increase.

There is a decreased gag reflex, leading to increased incidence of choking and aspiration.

Understand their bodies and learn to compensate for changes.

Increased risk for cerumen impaction causing conductive hearing loss.

Acetylcholine, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, and γ-aminobutyric acid.

Adequate fluid intake, smoking cessation, and annual influenza vaccination.

An amplifying device.

Reduced bilateral pupillary response.

Pressure ulcers.

Equal loss of hearing at all frequencies, leading to an inability to localize sound.

Enlargement of the heart.

Erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

There is a decrease in fluid, leading to decreased height.

Promptly notify the physician.

Assess for signs and symptoms of infection or inflammation.

Decreased gas exchange and increased pooling of secretions.

A condition characterized by porous, brittle, fragile bones.

Irregular heartbeats.

Increased risk for infection.

The geriatric heart becomes larger and occupies more space within the chest.

They become less sensitive.

There is decreased muscle tone at sphincters, increasing the incidence of heartburn (esophageal reflux).

To provide assurance that these changes are normal and to teach prevention of disease.

There is a decrease in muscle bulk.

Signs and symptoms such as cough and sputum production.

Increased problems with balance and decreased number of hair cells.

Otosclerosis, Tinnitus, Deafness, Ménière’s Disease.

Seek emergency care.

Decreased night vision.

Renin, which helps regulate blood pressure.

The most common form of arthritis, occurring when protective cartilage wears down.