34 Aging Process: What is Happening to the Body and What Does it Mean? Summary
| HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION As the respiratory system declines, peripheral chemoreceptors stop being as responsive to hypoxemia (low oxygen levels), and central chemoreceptors struggle to respond to hypercapnia (high levels of carbon dioxide). This difficulty in adjusting to changes in blood gas levels can lead to respiratory failure and other complications. MORE AGE-RELATED RESPIRATORY CHANGES • Elastic recoil of alveoli decreases • Calcification of tracheal rings causing resistance to airflow • Calcification of the rib and costal cartilage • Arthritic changes in the joints of the ribs and vertebrae • Increase in thoracic kyphosis • Increase anterior-posterior chest diameter • Increase in mucous thickness • Decrease in diameter of conducting tubules All together, these age-related transformations make it harder for oxygen to be exchanged efficiently, which reduces the lungs' ability to take in and deliver oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to breathing difficulties, among other issues. It's important to remember that these changes are a normal part of aging, and people with lung problems, such as COPD and emphysema, may face even greater challenges. AGE-RELATED COGNITIVE CHANGES Brain weight starts to decline beginning at around age 20, mainly due to a decline in white matter and myelin . One example is the cerebellum. A highly myelinated area, myelin loss in the cerebellum is associated with declines in posture, balance, an increased fall risk, as well as a slowing of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity that affects reaction time in older adults. Slower reaction time in older adults is due to changes in cognitive processing as well as motor execution .
| HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION Reaction time is a crucial topic that healthcare providers should address regularly with their patients. Slower reaction times pose a significant safety risk for older individuals, primarily because they find it more challenging to respond swiftly to unexpected events or perturbations. Additionally, the ability to shift their bodies quickly to avoid injury in case of a fall becomes increasingly difficult with age. Older adults who are active have better reaction times. It is important to keep in mind that while some cognitive decline happens naturally with time, dementia is not considered a normal part of aging. As therapists and healthcare providers working with senior populations, we must consider the impact of cognitive changes as it relates to an older person's ability to follow instructions. Oftentimes, verbal instructions alone may not suffice, so written instructions alongside verbal guidance may be more appropriate to ensure better comprehension and recall. CHARACTERISTICS OF NORMAL AGING • Changes in the frontal cortex • No language impairment • No change in implicit memory or learning abilities • Word recall declines • Semantic memory remains stable • List-making is a good memory strategy • Estrogen deficiency speeds aging effects on memory in women CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMENTIA • Changes in association areas: temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes • Neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques in all limbic structures • Loss of word finding, can't remember names • Loss of ability to learn new information • Word recall declines greater than normal • Semantic memory declines • Rehearsal is a good memory strategy • Women have 2-3x greater prevalence of dementia
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