Aging Adult Flashcards
Learning Outcomes
Immunity - what key changes in the body?
INCREASED:
Risk of cancer - as we cannot kill damaged cells as easily
Risk of autoimmune disorders - killing our own good cells
Infammatory response - chronic damage to own tissues
DECREASED:
Fever response
Cardiovascular - what key changes in the body?
INCREASED
Chronic inflammation causing damage to blood vessels and release of more free radicals
Cells with cholestrol deposited into BV lining, chronic inflammation changes this into fibrous plaque = decreased compliance
Plaque can break off and become blood clots (ie stroke, HA or DVT)
Blood pressure (systolic) - blood pumping force working more
Risk of postural hypotension
Growth of cells in heart = hypertrophy
DECREASED
Blood pressure (diastolic) - less resistance due to loss of elasticity in BV
Heart rate max is lower
List the impacts these changes have on older adult
Ability to exercise
Diet changes - maintaining a healthy weight
Falls risk
Pressure sore risk
Stress
Sleep reduction
Trouble with mobility
Smoking habits
SKIN - what key changes in the body?
Physical appearance
Less vitamin D
Epidermis thinner and more permeable
Less melanoctyes
Less hair folicles, sebaceous output, dermal tissue loss at 20%
Less elasticity, vascularity
Loss of adipocytes leads to issues with thermoregulation
Which of the following age related changes of the respiratory system are reasons for the decreased lung compliance in older adults?
Diaphragmatic fatigue
Decreased thoracic cavity wall compliance
Decreased lung elasticity
Describe sarcopenia and outline why it occurs in older adults?
Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and function. It happens when there is a decrease in size and number of muscle fibres and motor units. These changes occur in association with decreased anabolic drive. Insulin resistance and decreased testosterone levels occur with increasing age which likely contribute to the age related changes in muscle mass
Describe at least two (2) changes that occur to the nervous system with aging?
1) BBB becomes more permeable
2) size of the brain decreases
List key changes in the kidneys due to ageing?
Changes to structures, loss of nephrons, decreased GFR.
Increased thickness of the glomerualr basement membrane.
Structural changes effect the ability to concentrate urine
Define pathologies that could occur due to cardiovascular issues as we age?
Hypertension
Orthostatic Hypotension
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Coronary Heart Disease
Myocardial Ischemia
Angina
Myocardial Infarction (HA)
Aneurysm
Thrombus formation
Embolism
Peripheral Artery Disease
Define pathologies that could occur due to skin issues as we age?
Skin lesions
Skin cancer
Dermatitis
Bacterial infections
Fungal infections
Pressure injuries
Skin tears
Burns
Bruising
