Assessment older adult client

Learning Objectives:
1- Identify the categories of the aging
population.
2- list the general physical changes occur for
aging client.
3- describe the physical changes occur for each
body system.
 Assessment older adult client
The categories of the aging population:

 Young-old: 65 to 75 years.
 Old: 75 to 85 years.
 Old-old: 85 to 100 years.
 Elite old; over 100 years.
 Assessment older adult client
Introduction

A multidimensional process designed to assess

an elderly person's functional ability, physical
health, cognitive and mental health, and socio
environmental situation.
 Assessment older adult client

Comprehensive geriatric assessment differs

from a standard medical evaluation by including
nonmedical domains, by emphasizing functional
ability and quality of life, and, often, by relying
on interdisciplinary teams.
 Assessment older adult client

This assessment aids in the diagnosis of health-

related problems, development of plans for
treatment and follow-up, coordination of care,
determination of the need for and the site of
long-term care, and optimal use of health care
resources.
 Assessment of integumentary system

Rationale Physical changes

Decrease tissue fluid. Increased skin dryness.

Decreased vascularity. Increased skin pallor.

Reduced thickness and vascularity of Increased skin fragility.

the skin; loss of subcutaneous fat.

Loss of skin elasticity, increased Progressive wrinkling

dryness, and decreased subcutaneous and sagging of the skin.
fat.
 Assessment of neuromuscular system

Rationale Physical changes

Decrease in muscle fibers. Decreased speed and

power of skeletal
muscle contractions.

Atrophy of intervertebral discs. Loss of height (stature).

Bone demineralization. Osteoporosis.

Deterioration of joint cartilage. Joint stiffness.

 Assessment older adult client

Rationale Physical changes

Decreased muscle reaction time and Impaired balance.

coordination.

Sensory/perceptual:
Degeneration leading to lens opacity Loss of visual acuity.
(cataracts).
 Assessment older adult client
Rationale Physical changes
Changes in the structures and nerve Progressive loss of
tissues in the inner ear; thickening hearing.
of the eardrum.

Decreased number of taste buds in Decreased sense of

the tongue because of tongue taste, especially the
atrophy. sweet sensations at the
tip of the tongue.
 Assessment older adult client

Rationale Physical changes

Atrophy of the olfactory sensation. Decreased sense of
smell.

Pulmonary:
Decreased elasticity and ciliary Decreased ability to
activity expel foreign or
accumulated matter
Diminished delivery and diffusion of Difficult , short, heavy,
oxygen rapid breathing
(dyspnea) following
intense exercise
 Assessment of cardiovascular system
Rationale
Increased rigidity and thickness of
heart valves; decreased contractile
strength
Increased calcium deposits in the
muscular layer
Physical changes
Reduced cardiac output,
particularly during
increased activity or
unusual demands; may
result in shortness of
breath on exertion and
pooling of in the
extremities
Reduced elasticity and
increased rigidity of
arteries
 Assessment of cardiovascular system
Gastrointestinal:
Alterations in swallowing mechanism Delayed swallowing
time
Gradual decrease in digestive enzymes, Increased tendency
reduction in gastric pH, and slower for indigestion
absorption rate
Decreased muscle tone of the Increased tendency
intestines; decreased peristalsis for constipation
 Assessment older adult client
Urinary system:
Decreased tubular function Less effective concentration of
urine
Enlarged prostate gland in Urinary urgency and urinary
men, weakened muscles frequency
supporting the bladder or
weakness of the urinary
sphincter in women
Decreased bladder capacity Tendency for a nocturnal
and tone frequency and retention of
residual urine
 Assessment older adult client
Genitals:
possible endocrine changes. Prostate enlargement in men

Diminished secretion of female Multiple changes in women

hormones and more alkaline
vaginal pH
(shrinkage and atrophy of the
vulva, cervix, uterus, fallopian
tubes, and ovaries; reduction
in secretions; and changes in
vaginal flora).
Assessment older adult client