PHYSIOLOGIC RESPIRATORY Respiratory function Lung function diminishes with age.

The major contributing factors are the progressive loss of elastic recoil within lung tissue, the chest wall becomes stiff, and there is a decrease in alveolar surface area. These changes diminish the efficiency of gas exchange and make it more difficult to exercise. A. Activity And Exercise - Older adults should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity. - Older adults, with poor mobility, should perform physical activity - Muscle-strengthening activities, involving major muscle groups, should be done on 2 or more days a week. - When older adults cannot do the recommended amounts of physical activity due to health conditions, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions. - Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities - To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. - Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance

exercises or calisthenics strength and endurance. B. NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT

for

muscle

Loss of teeth and ill-fitting dentures can seriously affect an older persons ability to chew food

c) The 3 senses Loss of sensory perception

Problems associated with the mechanical action of eating which may occur with increasing age that can affect nutrient intake, are as follows: a) Digestion Impaired digestion due to:

Deterioration of digestive enzyme production and efficiency A decrease in the production of stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), which can occur in up to 30% of older people, leading to lower absorption of vitamin B12 thus causing pernicious anaemia, or bacterial overgrowth in the small bowel which also causes nutrient malabsorption Constipation which is a common affliction in the aged due to slower bowel movements caused by inadequate liquid and dietary fibre intakes, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Reduced taste perception (dysgeusia) and impaired ability to smell (hyposmia) occur commonly in older persons often as a result of factors such as Alzheimers disease, medications, surgery, radiation therapy and the normal ageing process. Deterioration or loss of sight may also negatively affect food intake

d) Metabolism - Reduced glucose tolerance With each decade of life, our blood glucose levels increase by 1.5 mg/dL thus leading to reduced glucose tolerance and in severe cases to the development of type 2 diabetes - Reduced resting metabolic rate (RMR) As people age and become less physically active their RMR (the energy the body uses to fuel processes like breathing, digestion, blood circulation, etc) can decrease by up to 20%. - Deterioration of cardiovascular function Older people, particularly women, are more prone to hypertension (high blood pressure)

b.) Mouth and teeth Oral health problems:

Dry mouth or xerostomia due to inadequate production of saliva can affect more than 70% of the senior population and has a significant negative effect on food and nutrient intake.

because their blood vessels become less elastic. Raised cholesterol levels are also common leading to heart disease and heart failure. Factors such as obesity, alcohol intake, smoking and diabetes contribute signficantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in seniors.

- Reduced kidney function The deterioration of kidney function in older persons can be severe, with up to 60% of normal renal function being lost between the ages of 60 and 80 years. Reduced lean body mass, increased body fat Among the greatest challenges that older people face, are loss of lean body mass (muscle tissue) and increase in body fat. C.) Respiratory Management