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System

Significant Physiological Changes

Special Care Needs

Integumentary

Loss of pigment; Thinning of epidermis; Easy bruising; Decreased skin turgor, elasticity, SQ fat; Increased nail thickness/decreased nail growth; Decreased perspiration; Dry, itching, scaly skin; Seborrheic dermatitis/keratosis formation

Neurological

Slowed reflexes; Slight tremors/difficulty with fine motor movement; Loss of balance; Sleep pattern disturbances; Short term memory decline

Musculoskeletal

Decreased muscle mass/strength; Decreased mobility/ROM/flexibility/

coordination/stability; Change of gait; Increased brittleness of bones; Kyphosis

Cardiovascular

Diminished energy; Decreased cardiac output; Decreased resting heart rate; Diminished peripheral pulses; Increased blood pressure/susceptibility to postural hypotension; stiffening/thickening of valves and vessels

Respiratory

Decreased respiratory function secondary to anatomical changes in respiratory muscles/alveoli; Increased rate respirations; Decreased depth respirations/oxygen intake; Decreased ability cough/expectorate

Gastrointestinal

Decreased need for calories; Decreased appetite/thirst/oral intake; Decreased body weight; Digestive disturbances; Decreased absorption of CHO/proteins/fats/vitamins; Increased tendency constipation/dehydration; Dysphagia; teeth changes

Endocrine

Decreased secretion of hormones; Decreased metabolic rate; Decreased glucose tolerance/resistance to insulin

Renal

Decreased kidney size/function/ability to concentrate urine; Decreased GFR; Decreased capacity of bladder; Increased residual urine/incontinence; Increased incidence UTI; Impaired medication excretion

Reproductive

Decreased testosterone production/size of testes in males; Changes in prostate gland in males; Decreased secretion of female hormones/menopause; Vaginal changes in females; Sexual dysfunction both sexes (potential)

Special Senses

Decreased visual acuity/accommodation/peripheral vision; Cataract formation; Decreased hearing; Inability to discern food tastes; Decreased sense of smell; Changes in touch sensation; Decreased pain awareness