1. PHYSICAL AGING PROCESS
WHEN DOES OLD AGE BEGIN?

2. 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

3. CHRONOLOGICAL CATEGORIES
Young-Old - (ages )
Middle-Old - (ages )
Old-Old - (age 85 and older)

4. 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

5. 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

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

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

8. 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 Hz

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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