Physiological Aging Changes

IMMUNE
neurohumoral response
white blood cell reserve (secondary to
bone marrow/splenic sclerosis)
Sluggish T cell response
SENSORY CARDIOVASCULAR
salivation myocardial irritability
taste buds for sweet & salty: dysrhythmias, e.g.
most tastes are bitter / sour PVCs/PACs
visual acuity A/V blocks
sensitivity to sound maximal heart rate BODY COMPOSITION
response to pain sinus rate lean muscle mass
thirst sensation arterial compliance subcutaneous fat
motor skills systolic blood pressure overall body fat
Changes in dentition cardiac output sweat glands
circulation time skin pigmentation
cutaneous/tissue perfusion serum protein binding

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

neuronal density
reflexes RENAL
sympathetic response bladder capacity RESPIRATORY
proprioception renal blood flow tidal volume
barorecptor response (postural glomerular filtration vital capacity
hypotension) renal clearance of residual volume
drugs & metabolites lung capacity
compliance
response to hypoxemia/hypercapnia

GASTROINTESTINAL
gastrointestinal absorption METABOLIC
gastric emptying basal metabolic rate
hepatic blood flow / drug clearance risk for hypothermia
drug absorption temperature regulation ENDOCRINE
motility response or thyroid function
transit time Hypo/hyperthyroidism
insulin sensitivity

ORTHOPEDIC
Osteopenia
Sources: Graf, C. (2006).Functional decline in hospitalized older adults. ANJ, risk of fractures
106(1), 58-67; Mick, DJ, Ackerman, MH. (2004). Critical care nursing for older range of motion
adults: pathophysiological and functional considerations. Nurs Clin N Am, 39, ligamentous stiffness
473-493; Watters, JM. (2002). Surgery in the elderly. Journal canadien de
chirurgie, 45(2), 104-108.

Delirium in the Older Person: A Medical Emergency. (2006). VIHA. www.viha.ca/mhas/resources/delirium/

Physiological Aging Changes.v3 08.07; 01.09