Physical Changes of Ageing Flashcards
What is dementia?
Dementia is a neurodegenerative condition that affects cognitive abilities. For example: understanding, ability to carry out tasks, memory, navigation, communication.
Older age increases the risk of developing dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia, with slow onset and progression. It produces short- term memory problems that gradually worsen, and interfere with the ability to carry out everyday tasks. People with a family history of the disease are at a higher risk. There is currently no cure, however medication can delay the progress.
What is osteoarthritis?
This is a degenerative condition resulting from wear and tear on the joints. The cartilage has become thinned, which means that the joints rub and become damaged at the ends of the bones.
It results in painful, stiff and inflamed joints, which also affects mobility and dexterity. The most common areas affected include the hips, knees and elbows.
Osteoarthritis affects more women. There may be a genetic component, and those that are overweight are at a higher risk.
What is the impact of reduced nutrient absorption?
Energy requirements will change depending on the person’s physical activity levels. Due to role changes and possible physical health problems, older adults may be less likely to exercise.
As nutrients may not be absorbed from food as efficiently, older adults are at a greater risk of malnutrition. Older adults may need more protein, vitamin C, iron and fibre. They should also try to get more calcium and vitamin D in their diet, since this promotes bone health.
Due to the increased risk of heart disease, older adults may be advised to follow a low-saturated-fat diet to offset these risks.
What is cardiovascular disease?
A decline in the heart’s functioning. For example, there may be a build-up of fatty cholesterol in the arteries over time. Someone might develop atherosclerosis – when this affects the arteries leading to the heart, it is known as coronary heart disease. Someone with the condition cannot feel it until a part blockage causes angina, or a full/significant blockage leads to a heart attack.
Lifestyle choices (e.g. being overweight, smoking, or a sedentary lifestyle) can substantially exacerbate heart problems or increase the risk of them occurring.
What happens to nervous tissue during ageing?
Nervous tissue is used for: processing information, receiving stimuli, sending impulses, alerting you to pain or injury.
Short-term memory is a cognitive ability that tends to decline first. The ability to process information begins to decline at around 80 years of age. Due to a slower processing of nerve impulses, older adults begin to show slower reaction times. A reduced blood flow to the brain in some people can lead to premature loss of brain cells. Cell repair is also slower in older adults.
Lifestyle factors also have an impact, as those that smoke or with high blood pressure are more likely to experience faster nervous tissue degeneration. Physical activity may also have some protective effects.
What happens to sensory organs during ageing?
This results in a decline in sensory abilities. For example: impaired balance, reduced hearing, weakening of eye focus.
Older adults are also at higher risk for developing eye conditions. For example: macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma.
Furthermore, as taste and smell may be affected, older adults may feel the need to add more salt to their food. A high-salt diet carries health risks of its own, including putting extra pressure on the heart.
