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PHYSICAL CHANGES OF THE ELDERLY - Coggle Diagram
PHYSICAL CHANGES OF THE ELDERLY
Visual changes
changes in the structure and functioning of the eyes resulting in harmless to severe visual cognition.
Lens
lens becomes rigid
Presbyopia (inability to focus on near objects)
lens may become opaque
Impaired night vision
chemical changes in protein makeup off lens due to exposure damage
Cataracts
Conjunctiva
tissue damage resulting from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light or the environment
yellowish spots on the conjunctiva
Iris
Becomes rigid
Decrease in pupil size
Atrophy of ciliary muscle
Decreased near vision
Dilator muscle function weakens
Slow the recovery after light exposure and impaired pupillary accommodation
Retina
macular degeneration due to changes in blood supply
loss of central vision
decreased number of cones
impaired colour perception
vascular changes due to atherosclerosis and hypertension,
retina ischemia due narrow and pale arterioles and embolism formation,
Urinary changes
Kidney
Number of nephrons decrease and blood supply vessels
Bladder, ureter and urethra
Weakening of urinary sphincter
Bladder size decrease as well as sensory receptors
Loss of elasticity
Nervous system changes
Functional division
Decreased conduction velocity resulting in slow reaction time
Decreased taste and smell perception leading to low diet intake
Decreased sensory receptors to touch pain and temperature change
Decrease in muscle tone resulting in reduced Strength and dexterity
Autonomic nervous system
Slowed autonomic nervous system responses resulting in hypertension
Peripheral nervous system
Demyelination resulting in decreased reaction time by nerves
Central nervous system
Decreased ability for temperature regulation
Decreased memory
Decreased vision and hearing perception leading to increased risk of falls
Hematologic changes
impaired quality cell production
increased levels of clotting factors like fibrinogen increasing risk of embolism
Impaired red blood cell production stimulation
Antibodies reduced level of response to infection
Cell production remains normal
Gastrointestinal changes
Stomach
Hardening of gastric mucosa leading to slow secretion delayed stomach gastric emptying
Small intestine
Slow digestive enzyme secretion resulting in indigestion
Lever
Liver size decrease and postion is lower
Oesophagus
Lower esophageal sphincter
Epigastric distress
Mouth
Decreased taste buds and loss of teeth
Pancreas
Pancreatic duct distended due to obstruction result in impaired secretion
Auditory changes
Presbycusis, aging related hearing loss from disease, noise overexposure or
External ear
Loss of elasticity in cartilage
Collapsed ear canal
Inner ear
Neuron degeneration of the auditory system
Loss of sensitivity to high pitched sounds
Middle ear
Degeneration of tympanic membrane
Conductive hearing loss
Brain
Inability to filter unwanted sounds or select sound
Difficulty in hearing and sensitivity in loud sounds
Integumentary changes
Skin cell degeneration resulting in loss of strength and appearance including hair and nails
Hair
Decreased melanocytes and Melanie levels
Hair tyrns white
Nail
Decrease blood supply to peripherals
Slow nail growth and thick brittle nails
Skin
Increased skin bruising
Degeneration of elastic fibres
Excess skin
Dry skin from decreased natural oil secretion
Reproductive system changes
Male
Prostate becomes larger
Testes become smaller and testosterone secretion decrease
Female
Breasts become looser due to decrease skin turgor
Vagina tissue Harding and decreasing muscle tone resulting in less secretions and a narrower and shorter vagina
Ovaries function decrease as well as secretions
Cardiovascular changes
increased risk of cardiovascular disease
Heart
Cardiac valves thicken and harden from collagen degeneration and fibrosis
Blood vessels
Arterial walls of vessels lose their elasticity and thicken
Chest wall
Curvature of the uppers spine resulting in the shift of exam sites and change in findings like heart sounds
Musculoskeletal changes
Muscle
Decreased muscle cell number and size resulting in decreased muscle strength and tone
Joints
Intervertebral discs waterloss results in decreased space between vertebrae this results in a change in height and posture.
Cartilage erosion contributing to pain from bone rugby against bone
Bone
Osteoporosis, as bone density and strength decrease resulting in brittle bones structure. Common in females as they enter menopause.
Slowed bone remodeling as calcium hormonal changes.
Respiratory changes
Respiratory muscle strength decline and structural changes affecting respiration
Defence mechanism
poor immunity response and production
increased risk and duration of upper respiration infection
Respiratory control
poor response to low oxygen arterial blood level (Hypoxemia)
drop in partial pressure of oxygen and increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide levels before respiration rate can correct.
Structural changes
Decreased alveoli function
diminished breath sounds
Endocrine changes
Thyroid and Adrenal cortex become more fibrous and changes in production rate
Pancreatic insulin effective response is decreased in the production.