Common Age Related Changes of Late Adulthood

1)Mineral Salts move from bones to blood making bones more porous and ligaments less elastic 2)Fewer Nerve cells slow reaction time, decrease tactile sensitivity, pain perception, and alter motor coordination 3)Taste and smell perception decline 4)Vision decreases from presbyopia, cataracts develop, visual field constricts, decreased depth perception and decreased tear function 5)Hearing decreases from Presbycusis, increased wax build up and increase in degenerative changes in ear structure 6)Alveoli become thinner and smaller decreasing gas exchange 7)Decreased blood cell production and loss of elasticity and narrowing off blood vessels increases blood pressure. Decreased cardiac output 8)Skin begins to wrinkle and become mottled 9)Slowing of thyroid gland activity, basal metabolic rate and hormone production decreases 10)Fewer cells in kidney, decreased renal blood flow, less effective filtration, decreased bladder elasticity and capacity