Age-Related Changes and Common Myths

Myths About Old Age

• Common misconceptions about older people:
  • Old age starts at 65.
  • All older people have difficulty hearing.
  • Most older people live in nursing homes.
  • Older people learn things slowly.
  • They are difficult to get along with.
  • They are lonely, unproductive, confused.
  • They will not do anything for themselves.
• Older adults are individuals with their own strengths, weaknesses, goals, and challenges.
• Most older people live at home and live independently for many years.

Normal Age-Related Changes

• As we age, our bodies change in a variety of ways.
• As a CNA, it is critical to become familiar with these changes, as they influence the care you will offer to residents.
• Everyone ages differently, but the following are some of the most common changes.

Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)

• Skin becomes less elastic, loses strength, and begins to sag.
• Wrinkles and brown spots appear on the skin.
• Skin is drier, becomes injured more easily, and has less fat and fewer blood vessels.
• Skin has fewer nerve endings; therefore, the person has less sensitivity to heat or cold, and less sensitivity to pain.
• Nails become thicker, less elastic, and tougher to cut.
• Hair is drier and thinner and turns gray/white; many people lose hair as they age.

Musculoskeletal System (Muscles and Bones)

• Muscles become smaller and weaker, resulting in a loss of muscle tone and strength.
• Bones get thinner, weaker, and more brittle, and lose mass.
• Vertebrae in the spine shorten, and the person becomes shorter.
• Joints become stiff (and painful), and many people develop slightly bent hips and knees.
• People generally move more slowly as a result of changes to the muscles and bones.

Nervous System

• Brain and spinal cord lose cells, and nerves send messages at a slower rate, resulting in slowed reflexes and slower movements and responses to stimuli.
• Brain experiences a reduced blood flow, which can sometimes cause dizziness. Brain may shrink.
• Brain function losses include shorter memory, confusion, forgetfulness, and slower response to stimuli.
• Eyes produce fewer tears, and the person experiences a reduced ability to see in the dark and to see blue and green.
• Ears decrease in ability to hear high-pitched sounds, and the person experiences overall hearing loss. Eardrums get smaller, and earwax becomes harder and thicker.
• Smell, taste, and the sensation of touch decrease, and the person experiences reduced sensitivity to pain.
• Sleep patterns change. The person sleeps fewer hours overall, and has fewer hours of deep sleep and shorter sleep cycles.
• Adrenal glands produce less adrenaline, leading to a reduced ability to handle stress.

Circulatory System (Heart and Blood)

• Heart becomes larger, heart walls thicken, heartbeat may slow down, and heart pumps blood with less force.
• The blood vessels that bring oxygen rich blood to the body, known as arteries, become narrower and stiffer. Less blood flows through the narrowed arteries, and the heart works harder to move blood in a less efficient manner.
• Number of red blood cells decreases, resulting in less efficient oxygen supply to the body.

Respiratory System (Lungs)

• Lung capacity decreases, and lungs become weaker and less elastic.
• Some lung tissue is lost, and the chest becomes less elastic (so it can become more difficult to breathe).
• Ability to cough and clear the airway is reduced.

Digestive System

• Appetite decreases, saliva production decreases, and a person may experience difficulty swallowing (which can increase the chance of choking).
• Amount of digestive juices decreases, indigestion increases, and constipation and gas increase (the person may wish to avoid fatty foods).
• Teeth may fall out.
• Insulin production decreases, causing more sugar in the blood and a higher probability of developing diabetes.

Urinary System

• Kidney function decreases, and kidneys get smaller.
• Bladder loses elasticity and gets smaller; the person experiences more frequent urination with less volume (possible incontinence).
• The prostate gland gets larger (in men), leading to more frequent urination.
• The possibility of urinary tract infections increases.

Reproductive System (Men)

• Testosterone (male hormone) decreases.
• Erections are fewer, take longer, are less forceful, and do not last as long.

Reproductive System (Women)

• Estrogen and progesterone (female hormones) decrease.
• Uterus, vagina, and genitals become smaller, and walls of the vagina become thinner.
• Sexual arousal takes longer, vaginal dryness occurs, and orgasms are less intense.
• Decreased estrogen production leads to menopause.