Week 4 Flashcards
What happens to tear production as we age?
it declines
What happens to the cornea as you age?
It looses transparency
What occurs as we ages that leads to decreased accommodation?
Collagen fibers thicken
What happens to vitreous humor as we age?
It becomes cloudy
What happens to Aqueous humor as we age?
Volume is reduced
What age does Presbyopia begin?
40
What are some normal vision changes as we age?
- Glare is increased
- Contrast decreases
- Visual field narrows
- Rods in eye decline =night blindness
Cataracts effect _____ of people age 60-70
50%
Glaucoma effects ____ of people over the age of 70
3-4%
___ out of every ___ people over the age of 75 are affected by macular degenration
1 of 3
What is a common cause of retinal detachment in older adults?
Falls
The decline of ___ in older age results in ____ ulcers
tears
Corneal
What happens to cerumen glands as we age? what is the result?
They shrink
Causes dry earwax
What happens to the external ear canal as we age?
Result of this?
it shrinks
Increased blockages
What happens to the tympanic membrane as we age?
It stiffens and looses the ability to transmit as many vibrations
What changes happen within the ear that lead to increased risk of falls?
Vestibular changes that effect balance
What are the three types of hearing loss common in old age?
- Conductive-environmental
- Presbycusis-age related hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss- tennitis
What is the impact of hearing loss on Safety/Pleasure/Function in OA’s
Safety-Cant hear alarms or instructions, fall risk
Pleasure-No music or conversations
Function-Social Isolation
What is Hyposmia?
Decreased sense of smell
What is Anosmia
Lost sense of smell
When does the sense of smell peak?
20-40 years
what percentage of older adults have a decline or loss of the sense of smell?
over 50%
What are the two main causes of olfaction decline in OA’s?
- Decline in neurons
- Weakened neural pathways
What sex shows the greatest decline in olfaction?
Men
What is hypogeusia?
Decline in taste
What is Ageusia
Loss of sense of taste
What is the first taste to go?
salt
What is often the last taste an OA will have?
Sweet
What are the two main causes of decline in taste?
- Decline in number of tastebuds
- Dry mouth
What is the impact of olfaction decline on Safety/Pleasure/Function in OA’s
Safety- Gas leaks and smoke
Pleasure-Cant smell good smells anymore
Function- decline in smell is often paired with decline in taste
What is the impact of Taste decline on Safety/Pleasure/Function in OA’s
Safety- Poison risk
Pleasure- No good food tastes
Function-Malnutrition
What is Proprioception?
The sense of body position
What causes a decline in Proprioception?
- Decline in lower limb sensory fibers
- Decline in vibration receptors
What is the impact of Proprioception on Safety/Pleasure/Function in OA’s
Safety-Fall risk
Pleasure- Reduced activity due to fear of falls
Function- reduced exercise and fear of social isolation
What are some causes in the decline of the sense of touch in older adults?
- Decreased mechanoreceptors
- Changes in integument
- Reduced sensory neurons
- Delay in relay information
What is the impact of loss of touch on Safety/Pleasure/Function in OA’s
Safety- Hot/cold temp and injury to feet
Pleasure- Can be increased with service pets
Function- Isolation from fear of injury
