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Aging Process: What is Happening to the Body and What Does it Mean? Summary
MACULAR DEGENERATION Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs when the tissue in the macula, a small area near the center of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, deteriorates. Unlike glaucoma, which primarily affects peripheral vision, AMD impacts the central visual field. This deterioration can result in several vision- related challenges.
• 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 Some individuals experience 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 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. • Arthritis • Obesity 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)
Risk Factors: • Older age • Family history of AMD • Smoking • High blood pressure • A diet high in saturated fats
| 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
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