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Gerontology

Terms in this set (14)

What changes occur in the respiratory system in the older adult?
Decreased vital capacity and endurance.
Decreased ability to fight off respiratory infections.
Decreased capacity for exercise.
Decreased response to hypoxia or hypercapnia
Decreased elasticity
Increased abdominal and diaphragmatic breathing.
Increased residual volume.
What decreases/increases occur in the cardiovascular system in the older adult?
Decreased cardiac output
Decreased elasticity and stiffening of arteries and veins.
Decreased response to changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
Decreased number of cells in sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, bundle of His, and right an left bundle branches leads to slowed conduction and dysrhythmias.
Increased atrial size increases atrial irritability.
Increased risk of ventricular dysrhythmias.
What other cardiovascular changes occur in older adults?
Thickened endocardium.
Slowed response to stress.
Hypertension.
Endocardial fibrosis.
Myocardial hypertrophy and prolonged systole lead to stiff, less compliant left ventricle.
Thickened, ridged valves lead to valvular stenosis and insufficiency.
What musculoskeletal changes occur in the older adult?
Decreased bone density, muscles and cartilage.
What neurological changes occur in the older adult?
Slowed nerve conduction and decreased cerebral circulation.
What genitourinary changes occur in the older adult?
BPH in males and incontinence in females
What gastrointestinal decreases occur in older adults?
Decreased food sensations.
Decreased gastric pH.
Decreased saliva production with decreased ptyalin and amylase.
Decreased motility and emptying.
Decreased hydrochloric acid and secretion of gastric acid and digestive enzymes.
Decreased mucus production.
Decreased elasticity and muscle tone.
Decreased tone of internal anal sphincter.
What other gastrointestinal changes occur in older adults?
Injury, loss, or decay of teeth.
Weakened gag reflex.
Degeneration and atrophy of gastric mucosal surfaces.
Thinning of intestinal villi and epithelial cells.
Muscle atrophy.
Slower, duller nerve impulses in rectal area.
What integumentary changes occur in older adults?
Decreased subcutaneous fat, oil secretions, sensory receptors.
Less elastic, skin cells thinner, less collagen.
Lentigo senilis: irregular areas of dark pigmentation on back of hands, on arms and face.
Moisture reduced.
Sweat and sebaceous glands less active.
Fragile and more easily injured tissue.
What reproductive changes occur in older adults?
Narrowing, stiffness, and dryness of vagina.
Decreased sperm production.
What changes in the senses occur in older adults?
Presbyopia: age-related farsightedness, which is a lack of ability for eyes to accommodate to close objects.
Cataracts, glaucoma.
Dry and irritated cornea, decrease in tears.
Presbycusis: decreased hearing, particularly of high-pitched sounds.
Decreased smell and taste.
What changes occur in the kidneys of older adults?
Decreased glomerular filtration rate
Decreased flow to kidneys
Decreased bladder tone and capacity
Decreased filtration
Incontinence related to bladder capacity
What cognitive changes occur with older adults?
Reduced ability to block out irrelevant information.
Decrease in long-term memory
Difficulty with abstraction and mental flexibility.
Difficulty maintaining sustained attention to a task or event.
Some react with minor anxiety or distress and others develop maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Ability to adapt to changes throughout the lifespan ensures a better reaction to the changes inherent in the aging process.
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