PHYSICAL AGING PROCESS WHEN DOES OLD AGE BEGIN?

DEFINITION OF AGING Old and aging depends on the age and experience of the speaker. Chronological age - number of years lived Physiologic age - age by body function Functional age - ability to contribute to society

CHRONOLOGICAL CATEGORIES Young-Old - (ages 65 - 74) Middle-Old - (ages 75 - 84) Old-Old - (age 85 and older)

SKIN, HAIR, NAILS Loss of subcutaneous fat Thinning of skin Nails brittle and flake Mucous membranes drier Less sweat glands Temperature regulation difficult Hair pigment decreases Hair thins

EYES AND VISION Eyelids baggy and wrinkled Eyes deeper in sockets Quantity of tears decreases Pupils smaller, let in less light Night and depth vision less Lens enlarges

EYES AND VISION CONT. Lens becomes less transparent Can actually become clouded Results in cataracts

EYES AND VISION CONT. Predisposed to glaucoma Increased pressure in eye Can result in blindness

EARS AND HEARING LOSS Irreversible, hearing loss with age Men more affected than women Loss occurs in higher range of sound By 60 years, most adults have trouble hearing above 4000Hz Normal speech 500-2000Hz

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Lungs become more rigid Pulmonary function decreases Number and size of alveoli decreases Vital capacity declines Reduction in respiratory fluid Bony changes in chest cavity

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Heart smaller and less elastic with age By age 70 cardiac output reduced 70% Heart muscle more irritable More arrhythmias Arteries more rigid Veins dilate Plaque build up

GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM Reduced GI secretions Reduced GI motility Decreased weight of liver Reduced regenerative capacity of liver Liver metabolizes less efficiently

RENAL SYSTEM After 40 renal function decreases By 90 lose 50% of function Filtration and reabsorption reduced Bladder muscles weaken Less able to clear drugs from system Smaller kidneys and bladder

Reproductive in aging Female: Male: Changing hormone levels Menopause Vaginal walls become thinner Sex drive diminishes Urinary bladder prolapse Male: Decrease sperm production Prostate gland enlarges Sex drive diminishes Erectile dysfunction

NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM Neurons of central and peripheral nervous system degenerate Nerve transmission slows Hypothalamus less effective in regulating body temperature Reduced REM sleep, decreased deep sleep Dementia- times of forgetfulness

MUSCULOSCELETAL SYSTEM Adipose tissue increases with age Lean body mass decreases Bone mineral content diminished Decrease in height from narrow vertebral spaces Less resilient connective tissue Synovial fluid more viscous May have exaggerated curvature of spine

IMMUNE SYSTEM Decline in immune function Trouble differentiating between self and non-self - more auto-immune problems Decreases antibody response Fatty marrow replaced red marrow Vitamin B12 absorption might decrease - decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Decreased ability to tolerate stress - best seen in glucose metabolism Estrogen levels decrease in women Other hormonal decreases include testosterone, aldosterone, cortisol, progesterone

Psychological effects of aging Depression and social isolation Loss of family and friends, spouse Physical deterioration leading to loss of independence Retirement leads to loss of self-esteem Views self as non-productive member of society due to grown children with own family and retirement Erickson’s Theory: Ego Integrity vs. Despair