Five Senses Age Related Changes

1. Five Senses Age Related Changes

2. Nalin Patel, MD Inova Medical group Primary Care

3. Sight • Cataract Development • Macular Degeneration • Glaucoma

4. Hearing • Loss of hearing/ High Pitch • Due to exposure to noise

5. Smell • Loss of Smell

6. Touch THERMOCEPTION • Heat • Cold NOCIOCEPTION • Pain due to nerve damage • Tissue Damage PROPRIOCPTION • Relative positions of parts of body (KINESTHETIC SENSE) • Equilibrium

7. Taste • Deteriorates with aging • Monitor for medications/ drugs

8. Urine Incontinency • Due to decreased strength of pelvic floor muscles / atrophy of urethra • Intake of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine may increase bladder irritability and involuntary contractions • For males it may be due to BPH

9. Musculoskeletal Changes • Atrophy of muscle mass and decrease in muscle strength • Develops osteoarthritis due to loss of cartilage • One needs to do regular exercise to maintain strength and muscle mass and slow down the process of arthritis

10. Osteoporosis • Decrease in bone mass with aging • Need to do regular weight-bearing exercise • Take Calcium Supplements at least 1000-1200 milligram per day and Vitamin D at least 1000 – 2000 units per day • Need to test for osteoporosis if high risk

11. Memory Loss • Most common form of memory loss is Alzheimer’s Type dementia • Second multi-infarct dementia ( Multiple small stokes ) • The 36 hour daybook is helpful for family and caregiver- John Hopkins University and NIH

12. Skin Changes • Becomes thinner, dryer and less elastic • Requires longer time to heal • Pressure ulcers often unpreventable

13. Tremors • Does not resolve with movement • Can severely impair activities of daily living

14. Nervous System • Gait speed decreases • Learning new task declines with increasing age • Reflexes reduced ( Driving )

15. Healthy Diet For Seniors • Eat foods that are high in vitamins and nutrients • Particularly if they expand less energy, and do not require hypokinetic intake

16. Establish a Healthy Daily Eating Schedule • Make sure to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner daily without skipping meals • Eat snacks that are high in nutrition, such as fruits, almonds, raisins, cottage cheese, peanut butter • One should avoid eating junk foods, chips sweets

17. Diet • Choose a variety of foods from food pyramid • Fruits and Grains rich in protein and calcium, vegetables, beans, nuts, cheese, milk, yogurt and fish

18. Diet Continued • Helping to maintain nutrition • Eat meals with other people • Enroll in a senior meal program or day care center to provide companionship • Try new recipes or food to keep meal interesting • Ask about the types of meals they would like to try

19. Health Challenges • Difficulty with swallowing or use of medication may be affecting appetite • May need to consult a healthcare provider or individual caring for person • Caregiver should offer supplements • May need dentures to accommodate, could be due to poor dentition or dry mouth • May have a smoothie or supplements like Ensure • Add flavoring agent that are high in nutrition than processed sugars or salt ( MSG )

20. Tips • Verify that one has access to healthy meals all the time particularly a person who is home bound or immobile • May want to consider food delivery or home maker to prepare a meal • Create fun and enjoyable environment • Play music or eat out side in nice weather

21. Helpful Points • Healthy diet / Vitamin Supplements B-12, Vitamin D • Regular exercise ( Balance ) / Weight bearing • Cross word puzzles, reading, watching news • Stay current or busy to slow down memory loss • Engage in mentally challenging activities