G&D: Older Adulthood & Aging

Question 1

Effectors to physiological aging

Answer 1

50%: Personality, Diet, Exercise (disuse)

50%:aging

Question 2

Heart

Answer 2

Aerobic capacity decreases

Question 3

Lungs

Answer 3

Decreased mobility of bony thorax
- obstructs lung (expiration)
PT: posture education, posture strength

Question 4

Body composition

Answer 4

Dehydration & electrolyte imbalance

Metabolic rate decreases

Question 5

Joints

Answer 5

Collagen less movable & stretches slowly

Forces: gravity, WBing, pulling forces of mm (tendon)

Question 6

Spinal changes

Answer 6

Kyphosis: hump back (forward posture)
Lordosis: flattens (less curvature)
Disks shrink (less shock absorbing) due to less water
Central stenosis: narrowing of spinal canal
- PT: less ext (less irritation), everything in arms reach

Question 7

Neuro

Answer 7

Gait changes due to slow nerve conduction
- step length smaller
- double support stance with decr swing/stance
Type II fibers decreased = weakness

Question 8

Integumentary

Answer 8

Epidermis flattens & thins - susceptible to shearing

Lentigos - flattened pigmented age spots (incr exposure to sun)

Question 9

CNS

Answer 9

Movement control decreased (less purkinje fibers)

Question 10

Eyes

Answer 10

Photoreceptor cells decline
Color discrimination declines
Cataracts: blurred images - opaque/yellow lens
Glaucoma: optic nerve damage
Macular degeneration: gray shadows in central visual field

Question 11

Auditory & Balance

Answer 11

Hearing loss & cerebellum declines&raquo_space; decreased balance

Question 12

Olfactory & Gustatory

Answer 12

Hyposmia: decreased sensitivity to smell
Hypogeuia: decreased sensitivity to taste
Makes food less appealing
- eat less or incr Na to food

Question 13

Cognition

Answer 13

Difficulties with orientation of time
Learning takes time
Selective attention (focused on important cues) & vigilance decrease (maint attention for a period of time)
PT: bring them back to focus