CARE OF OLDER ADULT

THE
RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
MEMBERS:
CABELLO, MA. VALERIE
MIRAS, LEIRA
WALES, REIZAH ANNE
 TOPICS
01 02 03
STRUCTURE AND AGING OF THE AGE-RELATED
FUNCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY PATHOLOGIES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM OF THE
SYSTEM RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
 THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
Refers to the parts of the body involved in
breathing.
This system works in close collaboration
01 with the cardiovascular system to provide
the body with a continuous supply of
oxygen necessary to produce energy and to
eliminate unwanted carbon dioxide.

This gaseous exchange is vital to life and,

hence, proper functioning of the
respiratory system and its constituent
02 parts is critical to human survival.
 STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

The respiratory system is composed of

the:
1. mouth
2. nose
3. pharynx
4. trachea (or windpipe)
5. lungs
6. diaphragm and rib muscles
 LUNGS
are composed of elastic tissue
that allows them to expand and
contract during inhalation and
exhalation, respectively.
the measure of the lungs’ ability
to expand and contract is known
as elastic recoil.
ALVEOLI
are also composed of elastic tissue,
granting them the same expansion
and contraction properties as the
lungs themselves.
the more the alveoli can expand and
contract, the more oxygen they can
bring in and the more carbon dioxide
they can expel.
 RESPIRATION

is highly controlled by respiratory

muscles, including the diaphragm
and rib muscles.
occurs with contraction and
relaxation of the diaphragm and
the rib muscles.
 AGING OF THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
ALVEOLI

As a person ages, the alveoli of the lungs become flatter and shallower, and
there is a decrease in the amount of tissue dividing individual alveoli.
In addition, there is a decrease in the alveolar surface area
Because gas exchange occurs over the surface of the alveoli, the age-related
reduction in alveolar surface area impairs efficient passage of oxygen from
the alveoli to the blood.

LUNG ELASTICITY

With age there is a decrease in the lungs’ elasticity, which in turn causes a
change in the elastic recoil properties of the lungs.
Loss of elastic recoil causes the lungs to close prematurely, trapping air inside
and preventing the lungs from emptying completely.
As a result, unexpired air remains in the lungs and, consequently, during the
next inhalation less air can be inspired
 AGING OF THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
CHEST WALL

The chest wall becomes stiffer with advancing age.

The increase in stiffness is largely due to a loss of rib elasticity as well as age-
related calcification of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone.
The stiffness of the chest reduces its ability to expand during inhalation and
contract during exhalation.
As a result, older persons often rely heavily on the diaphragm for expansion
and contraction of the chest cavity when they breathe.

CHANGES IN RESPIRATORY MEASURES

As a result of the age-related changes in lung tissue and the chest wall, the
respiratory system of older adults is less able to provide sufficient gas
exchange to meet the body’s demand for oxygen, particularly at times of
maximum physical exertion.
 AGE RELATED PATHOLOGIES OF THE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE
PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
is characterized by limited airflow and
impaired gas exchange.
COPD encompasses chronic bronchitis,
and emphysema, or a combination of
these disorders.
the pathology of COPD is characterized
by a decreased ability of the lungs to
respire properly.
Individuals with COPD often experience
excessive cardiac workload as the heart
tries to compensate for impaired airflow
by pumping more blood to the lungs.
PNEUMONIA
is characterized by lung inflammation
generally brought on by infection.
The impaired immune response with age
is thought to play a significant role in the
high prevalence of pneumonia seen
among elderly persons.
Older individuals are more susceptible to
severe pneumonia and complications of
pneumonia than are younger persons.
In addition, mortality from pneumonia is
known to be as high as 80% in those ages
60 years and older.
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