Aging Flashcards
how does the increased aging population impact the healthcare system
- increased costs
- increased hospitalizations
- increased demand for healthcare (esp with a shortage)
what is functional aging
- impacts daily life (changes we see)
- cognitive functioning, physical function, mood, mental health
what is phenotypic aging
- phenotypes that cause change
- body composition, energetics, homeostatic mechanisms, brain health
what is biological aging
- root mechanisms to aging, changes on the cellular level
- molecular damage, defective repair, energy exhaustion, signal/noise reduction
when does aging begin
conception
what is chronological age
the amount of time that has passed from birth to a certain date (ex: 21 y/o)
what is biological/physiological age
suggests that aging occurs as you sustain damage to various cells/tissues in the body
- takes into account lifestyle, genetics, nutrition, disease
list the common characteristics associated with aging
- sarcopenia
- cachexia
- hormonal influences
- changes in body mass (increased fat mass, decreased muscle mass)
- increased CO2, decreased O2
- weaker diaphragm (impacts breathing)
- decreased RMR
- decreased ability to return to pre-stress state after physiological stresses
- decreased ability to adapt/respond to environmental changes
- changes in state of homeostasis
changes in connective tissue with aging
(-) max tensile strength and elasticity of all connective tissues
(-) rate of adaptation to mechanical stress in chondroitin sulfate
(+) cartilage dehydration and stiffening in hyaluronic acid
(-) lubrication of joints
rehab implications for connective tissue changes with age
tendency for overuse injuries, fatigue failure, tears with stretching
changes in cartilage associated with age
(-) hydration
Degeneration associated with excessive loading and breakdown of collagen network
Endochondral ossification (bone spurs)
rehab implications for cartilage changes associated with age
- loading responses
- WB pain
- creeks and cracking
changes in muscle associated with age
- sarcopenia
- atrophy
- decrease Type II (fast) and Type I (slow) twitch fibers (Type II > I)
(-) muscle mass
(-) alpha motor neurons
(-) number of motor units
rehab implications associated with muscle changes due to age
decrease in overall power and strength
what effects does strength training have on older adults
- increased muscle strength
- increased muscle mass
- improve recruitment of motor units
- reduced sarcopenia
- improved retention of motor function
changes in skeletal system associated with aging
(-) calcium
(-) vitamin D
(-) RBC production
rehab implications for skeletal changes associated with aging
(-) bone strength
increased risk osteoporosis and Fx
postural changes
central neurological changes with aging
(-) brain mass
(-) neurotransmitters
(-) impulse conduction and synaptic transmission
(-) myeline sheath and large myelinated fibers
(-) cerebral blood flow
Decline in number and function of CNS cells
Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles develop (makes it harder for impulses to travel in brain)
what percentage does the brain mass decrease by by age 80
6-7%
peripheral neurological changes with aging
(-) N cells (slower reaction time)
(-) peripheral blood flow to N
peripheral neuropathy
rehab implications for peripheral neurological changes with aging
- sensory deficits
- risk of falls
vestibular changes related to age
- prebycusis
- tinnitus
prebycusis
age related hearing loss
presbyopia
age related vision loss
visual changes related to age
(-) muscle tone
(-) visual acuity (sharpness) and presbyopia
(-) vision in low light and ability to changes in light
taste and smell changes related to age
- 80% of tastebuds atrophy
(-) saliva
(-) olfactory
damage to optic N and leads to loss of peripheral vision
glaucoma
cloudiness over eyes
cataracts
proprioception/kinesthesia changes related to age
decreased position and movement sense
touch changes related to age
(-) receptors and N cells
(-) sensitivity to heat and cold modalities
cardiovascular changes with aging
Changes in cardiac muscle and electrolytes
(-) in CV system response to stress
(-) max HR
(-) diastolic filling time and ventricular compliance
Take less blood into the heart so cannot pump out as much blood
(+) peripheral resistance and SBP
(-) chest wall expansion and decreased lung elastic recoil
Cannot take deep breaths
(+) rib calcification
rehab implications for cardiovascular changes with age
- HTN which leads to changes in cardiac workload at baseline
(-) endurance
rib mobility = breath excursions
pulmonary changes associated with age
(-) diaphragm, intercostals and abdominal muscles
(-) vital capacity
(-) lung cilia
(+) residual volume
rehab implications for pulmonary changes associated with age
-changes in spinal curvature (chest wall cannot expand –> kyphosis)
(-) respiration
homeostatic changes associated with aging
Hypothalamic thermostat deterioration
Hormonal changes
(-) sweat glands (in size and number)
(-) ANS response
(-) vasomotor system response
(-) blood flow to the brain
(+) basal metabolic rate
integumentary changes associated with aging
- dermal thinning
(-) elasticity
(-) vascularity
(+) risk for skin cancer
