Common Changes in the Body Systems that Occur with Aging

1
Common Changes in the Body Systems that Occur
with Aging

• Individuals usually learn to adapt and cope with
  these changes.

2
Physical Changes

• Most occur gradually
• Disease can increase the speed of the changes
• Lifestyle, nutrition, economic status, and social
  environment also effects the speed of changes
• Changes occur in all body systems

3
Integumentary System Changes

• Production of new skin cells decrease
• Sebaceous (oil) and Sudoriferous (sweat) glands
  become less active
• Circulation to skin decreases
• Hair loses color and falls out

4
These changes result in

• Dry and less elastic skin and itching
• Dark yellow or brown spots appear on skin
• Lines and wrinkles develop
• Nails become thick and brittle
• Elderly persons frequently feel cold due to
  increased sensitivity to temperature changes

5
Things to do to help

• Use mild soap, bath oils or lanolin lotion
• Limit baths or showers to 2 or 3 times a week
  with partial baths on other days
• Shampoo only as needed for cleanliness
• Care for sores or injuries immediately
• Socks, sweaters, lap blankets, and layers of
  clothing help with coldness
• Proper diet, exercise, and little sun exposure
  are important also.

6
Musculoskeletal System Changes

• Muscles lose tone, volume, and strength
• Bones become brittle and break
• more easily (osteoporosis)
• Joints become stiff, less flexible,
• and painful (arthritis)
• Vertebra compress
• (get closer together)

7
These changes result in

• Gradual decrease in height
• Less mobility
• Weakness
• Slower movements
• Balance is off resulting in falls
• Fine finger movements are difficult to do

8
Things to do to help

• EXERCISE maintains muscle tone, keeps joints more
  flexible, maintains muscle strength
• Protein, calcium, and vitamin rich diets slow
  mineral loss
• Provide safer environment grab bars, hand rails,
  non-slip and flat shoes, ambulation devices
  (canes or walkers)
• Self-stick fasteners on clothing

9
Respiratory System Changes

• Breathing muscles become weaker
• Rib cage becomes more rigid
• Alveoli become thinner and less elastic
• Bronchial tubes lose elasticity
• Larynx changes leave weaker voice that may be
  higher pitched

10
These changes result in

• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• More rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Difficulty coughing up secretions from lungs
• More susceptible to colds and pneumonia and other
  respiratory illnesses

11
Things to do to help

• Rest more often during periods of activity
• Good body alignment and positioning may ease
  breathing
• May need head of bed elevated or use more pillows
  to keep head elevated when in bed
• Avoid polluted air environment
• Deep breathing and coughing helps clear lung
  passages
• Use oxygen if needed

12
Circulatory System Changes

• Heart muscles cannot beat as forcibly to push
  blood into arteries so cardiac output decreases
• Blood vessels
• narrow and are
• less elastic
• Blood flow to brain
• and other vital organs may decrease
• Blood pressure may increase

13
These changes result in

• Dizziness Numbness
• Weakness Tachycardia
• Any of these may happen when exercise,
  excitement, or stress requires more blood flow to
  vital organs to provide enough oxygen during
  these special times.

14
Things to do to help

• Avoid overexertion or strenuous activities
• Rest for short intervals during the day
• Moderate exercise and support stockings stimulate
  circulation and reduces blood clots.
• Range-of-motion exercises are good if person is
  confined to bed
• Diet low in sodium and fat may help keep blood
  pressure in control

15
Nervous System Changes

• Decrease blood flow to brain
• Sense of smell, taste, vision, and hearing
  decreases
• Nerve endings less sensitive to pain and other
  stimuli

16
These changes result in

• Memory loss especially in short-term
• Difficulty reading small print or
• seeing things at a distance
• Decrease in night vision and side vision
• More prone to have cataracts or glaucoma
• Hearing loss and thus speak louder
• Food may seem tasteless
• Less sensitive to smell of gas,
• chemicals, and other dangerous odors
• More susceptible to burns, frostbite, cuts,
  fractures, and other injuries

17
Things to do to help

• Give elderly time to think and respond
• Stay involved in current events and other memory
  stimulating activities, ex-crossword puzzles,
  games, etc.
• Proper eye care, lighting, and prescription
  glasses/lenses
• Hearing aids, speak slowly and clearly, eliminate
  background noises
• Attractive foods to stimulate appetite
• Smoke and chemical detectors
• Extreme care when handling
• hot or cold items

18
Digestive System Changes

• Fewer digestive juices and enzymes are produced.
  Less saliva and slower gag reflex
• Muscle action is decreased thus slowing
  peristalsis
• Teeth are lost
• Liver function decreases

19
These changes result in

• Difficulty swallowing
• Difficulty chewing
• Indigestion
• Constipation
• More gas
• Poor appetite

20
Things to do to help

• Good oral hygiene
• Replace or repair bad teeth
• Relaxing atmosphere for eating
• Avoid dry, fried, and fatty foods

• Eat more high fiber and high
• protein foods
• Avoid excessive seasonings
• Increase fluid intake

21
Urinary System Changes

• Kidneys decrease in size and are less efficient
• Loss of ability to concentrate urine causing a
  loss of electrolytes and fluids
• Bladder retains urine because doesnt empty
  completely

22
These changes result in

• Need to urinate more often including at night
  which interrupts sleep (nocturia)
• More bladder infections
• Prostate enlargement in males
• Incontinence

• Got to go!
• Got to go!
• Got to go!!

23
Things to do to help

• Encourage to increase fluid intake, but limit
  intake in evening
• Regular trips to bathroom with easy to remove
  clothing helps with incontinence
• Bladder training
• Foley catheter if all urinary control is lost

24
Reproductive System Changes

• Decrease of estrogen and progesterone in females
• Breasts sag when fat is redistributed
• Decrease of testosterone in
• males

25
These changes result in

• Vaginal infections are more common
• Weakness in supporting tissues
• Sexual desire may or may not diminish

26
Things to do to help

• Respect privacy of married couples in long term
  care facilities to allow them to meet their
  sexual needs
• Good hygiene
• Treat vaginal infections

27
Endocrine System Changes

• Increase in some hormones such as TSH
• Decrease in other hormones such as thyroxin,
  estrogen, progesterone, and insulin

28
These changes result in

• Immune system is less effective
• Basic metabolic rate decreases
• Intolerance to glucose can result in increased
  blood glucose levels

29
Things to do to help

• Proper exercise
• Adequate rest
• Balanced diet
• Healthy lifestyle
• Medical care for illnesses
• Proper clothing to regulate temperature