Week 1
Developmental changes
o Review Kennedy readings for age related changes
o Physiological
Physiological
Age related Change Functional Change Implications
Integumentary
System
Loss of dermal and
epidermal th
...
Week 1
Developmental changes
o Review Kennedy readings for age related changes
o Physiological
Physiological
Age related Change Functional Change Implications
Integumentary
System
Loss of dermal and
epidermal thickness
Loss of subcutaneous
tissue and thin
epidermis.
Prone to skin breakdown
and injury
Decreased vascularity • Atrophy of sweat
glands resulting in
decreased sweat
production
• Decreased body
odor
• Decreased heat loss
• Dryness
• Alteration in
thermoregulatory
response
• Fluid requirements may
change seasonally
• Loss of skin water
• Increased risk of heat
stroke
Respiratory System
Decreased lung tissue
elasticity
Decreased vital
capacity
Reduced overall efficiency
of ventilatory exchange
Cilia atrophy Change in mucociliary
transport
Increased susceptibility to
infection
Decreased respiratory • Reduced ability to Increased risk of
muscle strength handle secretions and
reduced effectiveness
against noxious foreign
particles
• Partial inflation of
lungs at rest
atelectasis
Cardiovascular
System
Heart valves thicken
and become fibrotic
Reduced stroke
volume, cardiac
output; may be altered
Decreased
responsiveness to stress
Fibroelastic thickening
of the sinoatrial node;
decreased number of
pacemaker cells
Slower heart rate Increased prevalence of
arrhythmias
Decreased
baroreceptor
sensitivity (stretch
receptors)
Decreased sensitivity
to changes in blood
pressure
Prone to loss of balance,
which increases the risk
for falls
GI
Liver becomes smaller Decreased storage
capacity
Decreased muscle
tone
Altered motility Increases risk of
constipation, functional
bowel syndrome,
esophageal spasm,
diverticular disease
Decreased basal
metabolic rate (rate at
which fuel is
May need fewer calories
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