 Decreased # of macrophages- Inc.
risk for
MODULE 2: PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES
ASSOCIATED WITH AGEING
VISION CHANGES:
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE:
 Decrease in # of eyelashes  Increased risk for
eye injury.
 Decreased tear production  Increased risk for
eye irritation.
 Increased discoloration of lens  Decreased
color perception.
 Decreased tissue elasticity  Increased blurring.
 Decreased muscle tone  Decreased diameter
of pupil, increased refracted errors, decreased
night vision, increased sensitivity to glare,
decreased peripheral vision
INTEGUMENTARY CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE.
 Decreased in n vascularity of the dermisInc.
pallor in white skin,
 Decreased amount of melanin! Hair color
(graying)
 Decreased Sebaceous & sweat gland function
Increased dry skin Decreased Perspiration.
 Decreased Subcutaneous fat Increased
wrinkling.
 Increased thickness of epidermis- Inc.
susceptibility to trauma;
 Increased. In localized pigmentation Increased.
incidence of brown spot (senile lentigo) Increased
capillary fragility - Inc. purple patches (senile
purpura)
 Increase Density of hair growth decreased
amount & thickness of hair on head and body.
Decreased rate of nail growth Increased
brittleness of nail;
 Decreased peripheral circulation-Increased
longitudinal ridges of nails, Increased thickening
& yellowing of nails.
 Increased androgen/estrogen ratio increased
facial hair in women.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGE
 Lowered tolerance to exercise leads to
diminished energy and endurance causes the
changes to occur
 Decreased body fluids Decreased ability to
humidify resulting in a drier mucous
membranes.
 Decrease number of cilia - Decreased to trap
debris.
respiratory. Infection.
 Decreased elasticity in the alveoli & lower long
lobes Decreased gas exchange , increased
pooling of secretions.
 Decreased muscle strength & endurance-
Decreased ability to breathe deeply,
diminished strength of cough.
 Decreased # of capillaries -Decreased gas
exchange.
 Increased calcification of cartilage Increased
rigidity of the rib cage.
CARDIOVASCULAR CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE
 Decrease cardiac muscle tone-> Decrease tissue
oxygenation related to decreased cardiac output
& reserve.
 Decreased cardiac output  increased chance of
heart failure, decreased peripheral circulation.
 Increased heart size, left ventricle enlargement-
 Compensation for decreased muscle tone.
 Decreased elasticity of the heart muscle & blood
vessels  decreased venous return, increased
dependent edema, increased incidence of
orthostatic hypotension, increased varicosities
& hemorrhoids.
 Decreased pacemaker cell HR 40-100 beats
/min. increased incidence of ectopic or
premature heart beats increased risk for
conduction abnormalities.
 Decreased baroreceptor sensitivity Decreased
adaptation to changes in blood pressure
 Increased incidence of valvular sclerosis 
Increased rate for heart murmurs.
 Increased atherosclerosis Increased blood
pressure, weaker peripheral pulse.
NUEROLOGIC CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE:
 Decreased # of brain cells  Slowed thought
processes, decreased ability to respon to multiple
stimuli & tasks
 Decreased number of nerve fibers  Decreased
reflexes , decreased coordination, decreased
proprioception ( perception or awareness of the
position and movement of the body Ex. Being
able to walk or kick without looking at our feet
or being able to touch your nose with your eyes
closed.)
 Decreased amounts of neuroreceptors 
Decreased perception of stimuli.
 Decreased peripheral nerve function 
Decreased, motor responses increased, risk for
ischemic paraesthesia in extremities.
URINARY SYSTEM
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE
 Decreased number of functional nephrons 
Decreased filtration rate with decree's drug
clearance.
 Decreased blood supply  Decreased removal
of body wastes, increased concentration of urine.
 Decreased muscle tone  Decreased volume of
residual urine.
 Decreased tissue elasticity Decreased bladder
capacity.
 Delayed or decreased perception of need to void
 Increased incidence of incontinence.
 Increased nocturnal urine production 
increased the need to awaken to void or episodes
of nocturnal incontinence.
 Increased size of prostate (male)  increased
risk for infection, decreased stream of urine,
Increased hesitancy and frequency of urination.
GASTROINTESTINAL CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE
 Increase dental caries & tooth loss  Decreased
ability to chew normally, decreased nutritional
status.
 Decreased thirst perception Increased risk for
dehydration & constipation.
 Decreased gag reflex  increased incidence of
choking & aspiration.
 Decreased muscle tone at sphincters 
Increased incidence of heartburn (esophageal
reflux)
 Decreased saliva & gastric secretions, increased
gastric ph  Decreased digestion & absorption
of nutrients, altered absorption of some
medications that are ph – dependent.
 Decreased gastric motility and peristalsis 
Increased flatulence , constipation & bowel
impaction.
 Decreased liver size and enzyme production 
Decreased ability to metabolize drugs, leading to
increased risk for toxicity.
MUSCULOSKELETAL CHANGES
PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGE:
 Decreased bone calcium  Increased
osteoporosis., increased curvature of the spine
(Kyphosis).
 Decreased fluid in the intervertebral disks 
Decreased in height.
 Decreased blood supply to muscles  decreased
muscle strength.
 Decreased tissue elasticity  Decreased
mobility & flexibility of ligaments &
tendons.
 Decreased muscle mass Decreased strength,
increased risk for falls.
Reference:
Williams, Patricia. (2016). Basic geriatric nursing. 6th
ed. St. Louis, Missouri : Elsevier.
[Nsng/618.970231/W674/2016]