The human body is a complex network that has many organ systems designed for proper functioning. As the body ages over time, it also affects the effectiveness of these organ systems. One of the organ systems that demonstrated the most significant age-related changes have to be the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system provides the most obvious external signs of aging because its main function is to provide protection, support and movement of the muscles and bones (Aldwin). These functions are essential to the mobility and strength of the adult population in order to preserve their quality of life.
The two main age-related changes that are seen in this system pertain to the bones and soft tissues. Bone is the fundamental part
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Normal age-related changes in the musculoskeletal system profoundly impact the everyday lives of older adults by increasing the disability rate and restricting the mobility of the body. Some of those changes affect the posture, sense of balance and self-image of the older person (Aldwin). Daily activities like walking, jogging, lifting and even getting up from recline position may take longer time and more difficulties. It can also affect the mental status of the older person because they lose the confidence of being independent and feeling more apathetic towards physical activities.
Age-related changes and disease processes in later life are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Changes common enough that the majority of the population can expect to experience as they age and is inevitable deals with age-related changes (Aldwin). In the musculoskeletal system, most people expect that as they age, the muscle strength will decrease due to wear and tear in certain areas. Disease processes in later life is described as the malfunctions in individuals that can accelerate the aging process (Aldwin). Some examples in the musculoskeletal system include osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, back pain, bursitis and tendinitis.
One of the most profound disease of the musculoskeletal system that leads to chronic disability, impact an older person’s physical, social and mental health is
I have enjoyed reading your post, Laney. As you have stated, the musculoskeletal system goes through many changes due to aging. As we age, we lose muscle mass and bone density. Sarcopenia is one of the most common age related conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. Sarcopenia refers to the decline in muscle mass that is related to aging. This condition can lead to weakness of the muscles and decreased tolerance to exercising. The lost muscle mass is usually replaced by fatty tissue. This leads to falls and unstable gait. Therefore, a teaching plan for the elderly should include information about the importance of physical activity. The teaching plan should also include information about adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D to
The skeletal system is made up of bones and joints. Bones are a dry dense tissue that is composed of calcium phosphorous and organic matter. The bones are protected and covered by a layer of fibrous connective tissue membrane called the periosteum (Brown, et al., 2015, p. 1547). There are two basic types of bone tissue: Compact Bone and Spongy Bone. Compact bones are dense smooth bones, while Spongy bones are composed of small needle-like pieces of bones and open space. Bones are then categorised according to the shape of the bone into four groups: long, short, flat and irregular. Long bones characteristically are typically longer then they are wide and generally have a shaft with heads at either ends e.g. the humerus. They are mainly compact bones. Short bones
This article addresses an important issue on how to develop frailty assessment tools in older adults with musculoskeletal disorders. Why is this topic more essential? Frailty has found in various fields of chronic diseases not only in musculoskeletal disorders. I am interested in frailty; however, it is tricky to determine who present frail in older adults having physical function limitation. Therefore, the different among physical function limitation, immobility, and frailty are still hard to justification. For example, older adults having secondary or third osteoarthritis always presents with severe pain at the knee joint. This pain also interferes his/her physical function. The more joints movement, the greater pain emerge. Reducing severe
According to Muir, Ye, Bhandari, Adachi, & Thabane (2013, p. 1) osteoporosis is a significant impediment to postmenopausal women and older men; it is a lifelong progressive, multi-faceted condition and the most prevalent metabolic disease in the United States. It can result in spinal deformities mainly thoracic kyphosis or flexed posture of the spine, as a consequence of weakening of the spinal vertebrae and back muscles. Once this type of flexed posture persists, an older individual is predisposed to numerous physiological and functional mobility problems, in other words, shortness of breath due to compression of the rib cage, leading to diminishing cardiopulmonary function. Similarly, flexed posture can affect a
Analysis of the effect of Age and disease on the body structure and functions: Aging is often associated with the structural and functional changes such as altered sensory and motor continence, appetite, hunger, thirst, diminished pulmonary ventilation, reduced bone density, immobilisation, sensory deprivation, short term memory loss and altered mood. These factors can contribute towards more hospitalisation, immobilisation, less social interaction and more dependency on the health and social care staff, nurses, clinicians and health care providers (American College of Physicians, 2004) M3 Aging is a continuous and gradual process that begins in early childhood, adulthood and middle age where the body functions gradually begin to decline
Aging processing leads to physiological changes in the body composition (Yu et al., 2014). Specifically, there is a decline in the muscle mass. This loss of muscle mass has been illustrated to be the main factor of strength reduction in aging (Goodpaster et al., 2006). From the age of 50 to 70 years, the reduction of muscle mass is about 8% per decade. After that, the muscle mass loss is approximately increased to be about 15% per decade (Yu et al., 2014). The loss of muscle mass and strength throughout aging is called sarcopenia (Yu et al., 2014). Sarcopenia is often linked to frailty and bone
While aging does cause some minor discomforts and slowdowns in the body's systems, it should not lead to an inability to function. The primary causes for pain and disease are not actually aging but rather a sedentary lifestyle. Modern life gives people little opportunity to stop, stretch and move their bodies as the body was designed to move. This leads to the body's muscles atrophying.
As people grow older, they develop dental problems which lead to nutritional intake issues. Cognitive function declines affecting memory, decision making, conversing, and problem solving. In addition, falls can occur with mental status disturbances. Lack of social interaction, depression, and anxiety also crop up in the elderly. Sleep patterns are altered by restless legs, snoring, and disrupted breathing sequences. At times, pain can be constant from arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other medical issues (Tabloski, 2014).
Patients from the elderly population might seem as physically fit as any other person, but they are physiologically aging, their body functions start to decline, their muscles get atrophy, bones lose density, join pain increases, and mobility and physical activity decrease. Therefore, the importance for seniors of maintaining an active lifestyle. People over 65 years old must exercise regularly to avoid falls and being completely dependent. They need to feel useful to maintain good mental health. There are many programs designed to promote this physical and mental activity on elderly population. Senior care centers offer different schedule activities for elder to go there and have fun, socialize, eat for free
I will consider my early life years and even into every adult hood, expressing a mass quantity of stress on my joints by using pushing, pulling and twisting from enjoying sporting activities. What's intriguing is that in the course of that time interval, my considerations were simplest on gaining awareness and popularity amongst my friends. I not ever took the time to consider that considering that of my undertaking that would outcome how I felt when I received older. There's an ancient announcing: take care of your body when you're young and while you get
This article discusses about Pilates for the older people to keep body proper and balance, which it is necessary. Since it says that for Pilates for elder in so many forms of exercise may cause stress or frustration on themselves. So, while staying in shape while reducing the risk of injury that weight-bearing exercises may cause, they are more focus on the controlled breathing and quality of movements of the body instead of the boundaries (arms and legs), where the potential for injury is greater. In difference with other forms of exercise, Pilates develops the midrange and gradually works toward the endurance, while maintaining complete control around the joints. To the benefit of older adults, Pilates teaches control and stability in a small range of motion, graduating to a larger range of motion as they gain control and confidence. Pilates also help with a variety of age-related weaknesses. Arthritis sufferers benefit because the gentle mid-range movements decrease the chance of joints compressing while maintaining the range of motion around them. For sufferers of osteoporosis or stenosis, Pilates can also help. For osteoporosis the simple and standing Pilates leg exercises may increase bone density in both the spine and the hip.
One main aspect when it comes to DN and old age is gait alteration. A characteristic that is outlined to have a
As individuals age changes occur physiologically that are part of normal aging. These changes occur in all organ systems and can impact an individual’s quality of life. The changes related to aging can be attributed to an individual’s genetic make up, lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary lifestyle. Being able to differentiate between normal changes in aging against disease process is important because it can help clinicians develop a plan of care (Boltz, Capezuti, Fulmer, & Zwicker, 2012). Creating an accurate plan of care for older adults will greatly impact their quality of life.
As we grow older our bodies begin to degenerate, and stop working. There are many different kinds of diseases that we are subject to as we age, cancers, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and many others. All have a negative affect on our lives, making it difficult to function. Arthritis is the second leading chronic disease in the United States.
As people age they develop many special needs related to the later period of life. Many elderly people have specific physical needs where adaptations to their home are necessary or where they need specific equipment for self care. Old age also brings new emotional challenges for the elderly person when the family can be useful in helping to meet the persons mental health needs. Senior citizens experience needs in their social life; they also experience the need for activities with other seniors. Health needs also negatively affect the elderly and cause multiple physical problems. Every elderly person experiences needs that are related to each of these areas.