36 Aging Process: What is Happening to the Body and What Does it Mean? Summary
Some mixed incontinence, combining features of both stress and urge incontinence. Functional incontinence, on the other hand, results from an individual's inability to recognize the need to urinate or navigate to the restroom in a timely manner due to cognitive or physical impairments, such as dementia, poor eyesight, or limited mobility. | HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION individuals experience Incontinence is one of those areas that can be really difficult for older individuals to talk about. As healthcare providers, it's important to understand these factors and offer appropriate interventions to enhance the well-being of older adults with urinary incontinence. ADDITIONAL CHANGES WITH AGING • Difficulty digesting food and absorbing nutrients • Thinner skin, age spots • Diminished appetite, partly due to a reduced sensitivity to taste and smell • Sleeping difficulties, including frequent napping, taking longer to fall asleep, waking up more frequently during the night, and sleep apnea • Presbycusis (hearing loss) Falls are a significant threat to the health of seniors. Between 2007 and 2016, the fall death rate increased by a staggering 30%, making falls a leading cause of death in the US. If current trends persist, the CDC estimates that by 2030, there will be seven fall-related deaths every hour. Up to 30% of individuals who suffer falls sustain moderate to severe injuries, including lacerations, hip fractures, and head trauma. These injuries not only impede mobility and independent living but also elevate the risk of early mortality. In fact, falling is the primary cause of fractures and traumatic brain injuries among older adults.
| HEALTHCARE CONSIDERATION Considering these age-related visual changes, healthcare providers should prioritize home safety for older adult patients. Providing education about the implementation of night lights throughout their homes, especially in bathrooms, hallways, and bedrooms, can help mitigate the risk of falls when navigating in the dark. INCONTINENCE Urinary incontinence, characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine, is a prevalent issue among older populations. There are four primary types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, and functional incontinence. Stress incontinence is one of the most common types of incontinence and involves small urine leaks during activities that require effort or exertion, such as sneezing or coughing . This condition is often associated with factors like: • Aging • Childbirth • Estrogen loss • Obesity • Chronic coughing • Smoking
• Chronic constipation • Radical prostatectomy • Certain neurological disorders
Urge incontinence is characterized by a sudden and strong urge to urinate, followed by immediate leakage. The exact cause of urge incontinence remains unknown, but it is
commonly associated with: • An overactive bladder • Undergoing a hysterectomy • High caffeine intake (exceeding 400 milligrams per day) • Consuming carbonated beverages
• Arthritis • Obesity
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