Aging Flashcards
Definition of aging
def: gradual loss in reserve capacity of organs and organ systems leading eventually to functional impairment and ultimately death.
What are some of the reduced homeostatic responses common in the elderly?
Baroreceptor Responsieness; increased postural hypotension
Thermoregulatory responses: higher hypothermia, hyperthermia
Cardiac Reserve: fluid overload
Thirst: dehydration
Dark adaptation: night driving hazardous
What is the MC early sign of aging?
difficulty staying up all night and working the next day.
Signs of Aging in:
- 30s
- 40s
- 50s and early 60s
- 70’s and 80’s
30s:
- easier weight gain
- graying hair, thinning hair
- wrinkling forehead and eyes
- concern about biologic clock, financial security, family obligations
- injuries “weekend warrior”
40s:
- reflection on mortality, life’s limitations, unreached dreams and goals
- skin changes; saggging, wrinkling, thinning
- vision changes: presbyopia***
- osteoarthritis:
50 & 60s:
- menopaus
- becoming a grandparent
- death of friends, parents
- oldest at work
- medical problems, physical limitations
70-80’s:
- one or more chronic disabling conditions
- arthritis, HTN, hearing loss, bone problems, heart conditions , bone problems
- retirement
- death of spouse
- children move away
- retirement living
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- Hematologic
- musculoskeletal
- skin
Hematlogic:
- RBC, hgb, HCT decrease slightly after 65YO
- WBC: impaired phagocytic activity
- ESR increase slightly
- physiologic anemia of aging
MusculoskeletaL:
- average 2-4inches loss in height
- loss of skin elasticity, joint stiffness
- calcification of CT (Atherosclerotic changes, degenerative joint dz)
- decrease in bone mineral content
- decrease in muscle mass
Skin:
- decreased tone and elasticity
- decline in subQ adipose tissue
- yellowing of nails, rigid nails
- hair loss after 30 in men
- decrease in pigment
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- resp
- CV
Resp:
- decrease in alveolar size
- physiologic work capacity of 70YO is only half that of a 20YO
- vital capacity decreases
- elastic recoil decreases d/t changes in collagen
- forced residual capacity increases
CV:
- reduced vascular compliance (increased collagen and decreased elastic tissue)
- CO decreases by 1%/year between 25-70 years of age
- slight reduction in resting HR
- decreased organ perfusion
- blood flow reduced by 50% to kidney andd 20% cerebral hemisphere
- increased SBP
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- Renal
- alimentary canal
REnal:
- after 40YO decreased nephron units
- renal blood vessels thicken, lose elasticity
- loss of juxtamedullary golmeruli
- glomerular filtration rate and CrCl decline
- -by 80YO the glomerular filtration rate has decreased by 50%
- prostate gland doubles in size
Alimentary: -loss of teeth -periodontal dz -lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax -delayed entry of food into the stomach 0GERD -decrease in gastric emptying time -atrophic gastritis and pernicious anemia -gastric secretions reduced -unable to absorb B-12 -chronic constipation -diverticulosis (decreased colon muscle tone) -bowel ischemia (decreased perfusion) -increased incidence of cholelithiasis -decreased pancreatic lipase activity
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- men
- parathyroid
- cerebral
Men:
- decreased sperm transport; thickened basement membrane around seminiferous tubules
- sperm production decrease
Parathyroid:
- women; decreases at age 40
- men: rise until age 60
Cerebral:
- decreased cerebral hemisphere mass
- decrease in NT (dopamine)
- slowed reflexes
- motor time increase with aging (slowing of activity from reduction in conduction)
- decreased vibratory sensation, hand grip, strenght, coordination, writing
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- sleep
- memory loss
- ocular changes
Sleep:
- more time in bed, less sleeping time
- frequent night time urination
- arthritic pain
Memory Loss:
- short term is common in the elderly and differentiating this “benign forgetfulness” from early dementia is often possible.
- worrying about memory loss is a sx of normal aging
Ocular:
- cataracts
- macular degeneration
- presbyopia
- decreased number of retinal rods–dark vision
Aging Changes in Organ Systems:
- hearing
- taste
hearing:
- decrease with age; high pitched sounds
- decrease in vestibular function – leads to balance problems
Taste:
- number of tongue papillae and taste buds
- leads to poor nutrition and weight loss
What are the 3 factors to successful/healthy aging?
low probability of dz and disability
higher cognitive and physical functioning
an active engagement in life
What is:
- disengagement theory
- prototypical disengage person
- activity theory
- continuity theory
Disengagement: voluntary cutting back on work, social and even family ties.
Prototypical disengaged: well known, loved by neighbors
(happily spends all day rocking on front porch talking to passerbyers)
Activity:
- staying as active as possible
- continued profession or volunteer work
Continuity:
-successful psychologic adaptation to aging involves allowing personal preferences from earlier years to manifest themselves as the individual responds to the stress and challenges of older age.
