NAME: SANTOS, Richmon Joseph E.

SECTION: BSN 3C

UNIT 4 Final Requirement

Make a summary of the nervous system's physiological changes, Sensory Senses in

Older, Endocrine system, and Reproductive strategy of the older adult and the impact of
these changes on their health in matrix form.

As to how your project will be evaluated, please refer to Rubric for Written Report in the
course syllabus

PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES IN OLDER ADULTS

SYSTEMS CHANGES IMPACT OF CHANGES TO THEIR

HEALTH/BODY

SENSORY SENSES Older people can expect Aging can affect all of the senses, but

some decline in their
five senses. While the
sense of smell, taste and
touch all change with age,
often the most
noticeable changes affect
our vision and hearing.
As senses change, older
people may find it more
difficult to socialize and
participate in activities.
usually hearing and vision are most
affected. Devices such as glasses and
hearing aids, or lifestyle changes can
improve your ability to hear and see.
As you age, structures inside the ear
start to change and their functions
decline. Your ability to pick up sounds
decreases.

 altering the
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM production, secretion, Levels of most hormones decrease
and catabolism of with aging, but some hormones remain
hormones at levels typical of those in
 The adrenal glands also younger adults, and some even
change as the body increase. Even when hormone levels
ages; fibrous tissue do not decline, endocrine function
increases, cortisol and generally declines with age because
 aldosterone
production decrease. hormone receptors become less
 Menopause is a well- sensitive.
known example of the
aging process affecting
an endocrine gland
resulting in the decline
of ovarian function.
 Andropause or
Viropause is a
condition related to
testosterone levels,
which also declines
with age.
 The thyroid gland
produces fewer thyroid
hormones as the body
ages, that cause a
gradual decrease in the
basal metabolic rate
 The lower metabolic
rate reduces the
production of body
heat and increases
levels of body fat
 Increasing age also
affects glucose
metabolism, as blood
glucose levels spike
more rapidly and take
longer to return to
normal in the elderly.

Aging changes in the male Fertility varies from man to man. Age
MALE REPRODUCTIVE reproductive system occur does not predict male fertility. Prostate
primarily in the testes. function does not affect fertility. A man
Testicular tissue mass can father children, even if his prostate
decreases. The level of the gland has been removed. Some fairly
male sex old men can (and do) father children.
hormone, testosterone de
creases gradually. There The volume of fluid ejaculated usually
may be problems getting remains the same, but there are fewer
an erection. This is a living sperm in the fluid.
general slowing, instead of
a complete lack of Some men may have a lower sex drive
function. (libido). Sexual responses may become
FERTILITY slower and less intense. This may be
related to decreased testosterone
The tubes that carry sperm level. It may also result from
may become less elastic (a psychological or social changes due to
process called sclerosis). aging (such as the lack of a willing
The testes continue to partner), illness, long-term (chronic)
produce sperm, but the conditions, or medicines.
rate of sperm cell Aging by itself does not prevent a man
production slows. The from being able to enjoy sexual
epididymis, seminal relationships.
vesicles, and prostate
gland lose some of their
surface cells. But they
continue to produce the
fluid that helps carry
sperm.

URINARY FUNCTION

The prostate gland

enlarges with age as some
of the prostate tissue is
replaced with a scar like
tissue. This condition,
called benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), affects
about 50% of men. BPH
may cause problems with
slowed urination and
ejaculation.
 The time before
FEMALE menopause is called Vaginal infections are more likely to
REPRODUCTIVE perimenopause. It may develop. Also after menopause, the
begin several years before uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
your last menstrual period. become smaller. With aging, there is a
Signs of perimenopause decrease in the amount of muscle and
include:
connective tissue, including that in
muscles, ligaments, and other tissues
 More frequent
that support the bladder, uterus,
periods at first, and
then occasional vagina, and rectum.
missed periods

 Periods that are

longer or shorter

 Changes in the
amount of
menstrual flow

 The ovaries stop

making the
hormones estrogen
and progesterone.

 The ovaries also

stop releasing eggs
(ova, oocytes).
After menopause,
you can no longer
become pregnant.

 Your menstrual
periods stop. You
know you have
gone through
menopause after
you have had no
periods for 1 year.
You should
continue to use a
birth control
method until you
 have gone a whole
year without a
period. Any
bleeding that
occurs more than 1
year after your last
period is not
normal and should
be checked by your
health care
provider.

References: UNIT 4: PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES IN VARIOUS SYSTEMS IN OLDER PERSON

Medline Plus
MSD Manuals