Physiologic Changes with Age
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What Physiologic Changes Occur With Aging?
Vision
- difficulty seeing close up (ie, presbyopia)
- 95% of those >70 have some vision loss
Hearing
- the loss of the ability to hear low intensity (ie, presbycusis)
- high-frequency sounds, background noise makes it worse
Touch
- decreased ability to detect vibration and light pressure
- changes in proprioception
- decreased ability to discriminate between different sensations
Mobility, flexibility, and gait
Dexterity
NOTE
Pain: nerve fibers change from fast delta A to C fibers, which decreases the speed of pain perception
References
Kahn JH, Magauran BG, Olshaker JS, eds. Geriatric Emergency Medicine: Principles and Practice. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press; 2014.