Common Changes in the Body
Systems that Occur with Aging
Individuals usually learn to adapt and
cope with these changes.
Physical Changes
• Most occur gradually
• Disease can increase the speed of the changes
• Lifestyle, nutrition, economic status, and social
environment also effects the speed of changes
• Changes occur in all body systems
Integumentary System Changes
• Production of new skin cells decrease
• Sebaceous (oil) and Sudoriferous (sweat)
glands become less active
• Circulation to skin decreases
• Hair loses color and falls out
These changes result in:
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Dry and less elastic skin and itching
Dark yellow or brown spots appear on skin
Lines and wrinkles develop
Nails become thick and brittle
Elderly persons frequently feel cold due to
increased sensitivity to temperature changes
Things to do to help
• Use mild soap, bath oils or lanolin lotion
• Limit baths or showers to 2 or 3 times a week with
partial baths on other days
• Shampoo only as needed for cleanliness
• Care for sores or injuries immediately
• Socks, sweaters, lap blankets, and layers of
clothing help with coldness
• Proper diet, exercise, and little sun exposure are
important also.
Musculoskeletal System Changes
• Muscles lose tone, volume, and strength
• Bones become brittle and break
more easily (osteoporosis)
• Joints become stiff, less flexible,
and painful (arthritis)
• Vertebra compress
(get closer together)
These changes result in:
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Gradual decrease in height
Less mobility
Weakness
Slower movements
Balance is off resulting in falls
Fine finger movements are difficult to do
Things to do to help
• EXERCISE maintains muscle tone, keeps joints
more flexible, maintains muscle strength
• Protein, calcium, and vitamin rich diets slow
mineral loss
• Provide safer environment: grab bars, hand rails,
non-slip and flat shoes, ambulation devices (canes
or walkers)
• Self-stick fasteners on clothing
Respiratory System Changes
• Breathing muscles become
weaker
• Rib cage becomes more rigid
• Alveoli become thinner and less
elastic
• Bronchial tubes lose elasticity
• Larynx changes leave weaker
voice that may be higher
pitched
These changes result in:
• Difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• More rapid breathing (tachypnea)
• Difficulty coughing up secretions from
lungs
• More susceptible to colds and pneumonia
and other respiratory illnesses
Things to do to help
• Rest more often during periods of
activity
• Good body alignment and positioning
may ease breathing
• May need head of bed elevated or use
more pillows to keep head elevated
when in bed
• Avoid polluted air environment
• Deep breathing and coughing helps
clear lung passages
• Use oxygen if needed
Circulatory System Changes
• Heart muscles cannot beat as forcibly to push
blood into arteries so cardiac output decreases
• Blood vessels
narrow and are
less elastic
• Blood flow to brain
and other vital organs may decrease
• Blood pressure may increase
These changes result in:
Dizziness
Weakness
Numbness
Tachycardia
Any of these may happen when exercise,
excitement, or stress requires more blood flow to
vital organs to provide enough oxygen during
these special times.
Things to do to help:
• Avoid overexertion or strenuous
activities
• Rest for short intervals during the
day
• Moderate exercise and support
stockings stimulate circulation and
reduces blood clots.
• Range-of-motion exercises are good
if person is confined to bed
• Diet low in sodium and fat may help
keep blood pressure in control
Nervous System Changes
• Decrease blood flow
to brain
• Sense of smell, taste,
vision, and hearing
decreases
• Nerve endings less
sensitive to pain and
other stimuli
These changes result in:
• Memory loss especially in short-term
• Difficulty reading small print or
seeing things at a distance
• Decrease in night vision and side vision
• More prone to have cataracts or glaucoma
• Hearing loss and thus speak louder
• Food may seem tasteless
• Less sensitive to smell of gas,
• chemicals, and other dangerous odors
• More susceptible to burns, frostbite, cuts, fractures,
and other injuries
Things to do to help
• Give elderly time to think and respond
• Stay involved in current events and other memory
stimulating activities, ex-crossword puzzles, games, etc.
• Proper eye care, lighting, and prescription glasses/lenses
• Hearing aids, speak slowly and clearly, eliminate
background noises
• Attractive foods to stimulate appetite
• Smoke and chemical detectors
• Extreme care when handling
hot or cold items
Digestive System Changes
• Fewer digestive juices and enzymes are
produced. Less saliva and slower gag reflex
• Muscle action is decreased thus slowing
peristalsis
• Teeth are lost
• Liver function decreases
These changes result in:
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Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty chewing
Indigestion
Constipation
More gas
Poor appetite
Things to do to help
• Good oral hygiene
• Replace or repair bad teeth
• Relaxing atmosphere for
eating
• Avoid dry, fried, and fatty
foods
• Eat more high fiber and
high
protein foods
• Avoid excessive
seasonings
• Increase fluid intake
Urinary System Changes
• Kidneys decrease in size and
are less efficient
• Loss of ability to concentrate
urine causing a loss of
electrolytes and fluids
• Bladder retains urine because
doesn’t empty completely
These changes result in:
• Need to urinate more
often including at
night which interrupts
sleep (nocturia)
• More bladder
infections
• Prostate enlargement
in males
• Incontinence
•Got to go!
•Got to go!
Got to go!!
Things to do to help
• Encourage to increase fluid
intake, but limit intake in
evening
• Regular trips to bathroom
with easy to remove
clothing helps with
incontinence
• Bladder training
• Foley catheter if all urinary
control is lost
Reproductive System Changes
• Decrease of estrogen and progesterone
in females
• Breasts sag when fat is redistributed
• Decrease of testosterone in
males
These changes result in:
• Vaginal infections are more common
• Weakness in supporting tissues
• Sexual desire may or may not diminish
Things to do to help:
• Respect privacy of married couples in long term
care facilities to allow them to meet their sexual
needs
• Good hygiene
• Treat vaginal infections
Endocrine System Changes
• Increase in some hormones such as TSH
• Decrease in other hormones such as thyroxin, estrogen,
progesterone, and insulin
These changes result in:
• Immune system is less effective
• Basic metabolic rate decreases
• Intolerance to glucose can result in increased blood
glucose levels
Things to do to help:
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Proper exercise
Adequate rest
Balanced diet
Healthy lifestyle
Medical care for illnesses
Proper clothing to regulate temperature