Lifespan Development 2 Flashcards
EARLY ADULTHOOD
Time between adolescence and middle age, about 20-40 yrs
Intellectual, emotions and social development
Most physically capable
PRIME of life
No real regeneration but minimal degeneration of body systems
MIDDLE AGE / YOUNG OLD
40-65 yrs old
Generally good health and physical function
Gradual signs of degeneration
Menopause (45-55)
OLDER AGE
65+ years
Old older is 85+
Retirement
Some health issues but not always noticeable
Signs of degeneration
PRIMARY AGING
Inevitable process of body’s natural deterioration taking place in life
SECONDARY AGING
Aging resulting from disease and poor health practices and may be preventable
Manifestations of aging
Altered elimination - change in bowel habits like constipated or diarrhoea
Cell changes
Altered metabolic processes
Altered perfusion- passage of fluid to organs and tissues
Impaired mobility
Proliferation changes- more prone to cancerous cells
Impaired immune response- may get ill or diseased
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance - hyper hydration or dehydration
Appearance - wrinkles and grey hair
Nutrition altered - more or less appetite
AGING OF TISSUE
Maintenance processes slow down
Tissue repair speed and effectiveness decreases
Structure and chemical composition of tissue alters
APPEARANCE OF ELDERLY
Hair = Hair loss and hair greying. Also redistribution of hair growth where it shouldn’t grow.
Skin changes= Epidermis is thinner Dermis is thinner Less gland activity Less vit D production Lower blood supply to skin Less hair production Wrinkles and discoloured skin (reduced melanin)
PRACTICAL PRECAUTIONS WITH ELDERLY
No long nails / artificial - can break their thin skin
No jewellery or watches
Wash hands to prevent infection
Beware of friction in manual handling activities
Regular changes in position - to increase their blood flow, as they have low blood supply
IMMUNITY IN ELDERLY
Elderly have reduced immunity
Their T and B cells are less responsive
Increased risk of infections or cancers (at risk)
Cell surveillance slows (don’t detect abnormal cells as quick)
Alterations to skin- first line of defence already damaged
Digestion, urinary and reproductive systems
Digestion = reduced olfactory and osmoreceptor sensitivity, gradual loss of teeth and reduced gut motility (struggle to eat and drink as much)
Urinary= decreased kidney function and urinary issues as weak bladder muscles
Reproductive- women had menopause 45-55 - reduce oestrogen
Men had andropause- reduced testosterone so less sex drive and behaviours
MSK SYSTEM IN ELDERLY
Muscles :
Muscle fibres small in diameter and fatigue more
Muscles less elastic
Tolerance to exercise decreases
Ability to recover from injury decreases
Bones=
Bone density mass decrease
Osteopenia- natural loss in bone density as older
Osteoporosis- excessive loss of bone mass density- bones at risk of fracture and brittle
Loss of height- vertebrae lose bone mass density so height decreases
Osteoarthritis- common in 60+ cartilage at ends of bones wears down
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM IN ELDERLY
Heart=
Reduced cardiac output- cells get less o2 and nutrients and less waste removed
Changes to conducting cells- arrhythmia is common
Reduced elasticity of heart - decreased functionality
VASCULAR:
Decrease in haematocrit (ratio of RBCs to total blood volume)- increase risk of anaemia
Less RBC production- diet changes and nutrient imbalance
Atherosclerosis- age, but also environment, build up of fatty plaque on artery walls reducing blood flows
Increase risk of aneurysm- smooth muscle loses elasticity and bulges in vessel walls- can burst
Decreased function of valves in veins- varicose veins?
Swollen and enlarged veins - dark purple and bulging
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM IN ELDERLY
Decreased vital capacity (vol breathed in and out)
Increased residual volume
Stiffening of rib cage (arthritis)
NEURO SYSTEM IN ELDERLY
Brain decrease in size and weight
Loss of neurones and neurotransmitters as brain shrinks
Decreased blood flow/ atherosclerosis so less blood to brain
Gradual decline in function so reaction times decrease
Degenerative changes- memory loss, anterograde amnesia, dementia and Alzheimer’s
Slower motor skills
Decreased reaction times
