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Biological Processes
Chapter 3
HPR 452
Intro
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“Every day you grow older, that is the law”
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Butch Cassidy
Growing older is an inevitable part of living
Aging is a progressive process that doesn’t occur
suddenly
Great variability in aging between and within
an individual – Old age based on
Chronological age is not appropriate
There are also some generalizations in aging
“Aging” and “Senescence”
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“Aging” refers to any changes, including things not
harmful to the body (i.e. wrinkles)
“Senescence” refers to decline of body functions
that increase the risk of “disease, disability, or death
Used interchangeably in this Chapter
Aging and Senescence = “gradual and progressive loss of
various functions over time, beginning in early adulthood,
leading to decreasing health, vigor, and well-being, increasing
vulnerability to disease, and increased likelihood of death”
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President’s Council on Bioethics (2003)
The Aging Process
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Physical decline occurs at different rates in
different individuals (i.e. hearing) due to:
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Genetic makeup (species and individual)
Environmental and lifestyle (ie. diet, exercise)
Interaction between biological and psychological
(ie. Social support, personal attitudes,
opportunities to exercise control)
Organ reserve capacity – ability of the body
to return to homeostasis after stress –
decreased during aging
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Potential role of physical decline should not
be overestimated – Most older adults adapt
to the slow declines and compensate for
losses
The body works hard to preserve life and
functioning as long as possible
Over ½ of all Americans over 65 report some
type of disability, 37% a severe disability,
16% need assistance to meet daily needs
Primary and Secondary Aging
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Service providers must understand to
minimize functional losses so they may
identify techniques to keep functional losses
at minimum
Primary Aging – (Genotypical) “pure” biological aging
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deteriorative, degenerative – not reversible
Secondary Aging – (Phenotypical)
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Factors that accelerate natural decline
stress, poor nutrition, radiation, untreated disease,
unhealthy lifestyle habits
Role of Healthcare Providers and the
Individual
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Healthcare providers can assist aging
individuals in cleaning the path of primary
aging of secondary aging debris – narrow the
gap – See Figures 3.1and 3.2 in book
Proven to reduce physical decline –
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Exercise (can reduce or prevent ½ of physical decline
associated with aging), strength training, nutrition,
stress reduction, smoking cessation
Individuals can take control through active
approach– Lifestyle more important than genetics
Why Do People Age?
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Many theories – none proven
According to National Institute on Aging (2006)
Biological theories fall into 2 categories
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Programmed theories – Age follows a timeline –
change occurs on the timetable
Damage or Error theories – Environmental
assaults gradually cause things to go wrong
It is estimated that 7,000 genes are involved
Environmental and Personal forces also
One type of Senescence Theories
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Programmed Theories
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Programmed longevity – sequence of genes
switching on and off causes aging
Endocrine Theory – Hormones, driven by a
biological clock control the aging process
Immunological Theory – a decline in the immune
system results in vulnerability to infectious
diseases, aging and death
Another type of Senescense Theory
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Error Theories
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Wear and Tear Theory – preprogrammed process
that sets off a biological clock – Humans gradually
wear out until lifespan is “used up”
Crosslinking Theory – Accumulated crosslinked
proteins slow down body processes by damaging
cells and tissues
A perspective - Gradual decline in cells’ ability to
replicate/reproduce based on a “clock”
Overall genetic, environmental & personal factors all
contribute
Biological Systems
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Physical appearance – May affect self-image
and self-concept
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Skin – wrinkles, skin breakdown, decubitus,
temperature regulation
Nail Care (hand and foot) – infections, locomotion,
loss of independence
Teeth – cosmetic and functional
Body shape and size – fat toward center of body
replaces lean muscle mass, height decreases –
affects balance, gait, mobility
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Ulyssean approaches through Education
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Self-concept, dental and foot care, accepting
changes, avoid sunlight and cigarettes, shift
weight and adjust positions, diet, apply meds
when minor abrasions first noted
Musculoskeletal System
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Loss of Muscle mass and decrease elasticity
Atrophy – decrease in number and bulk of muscle
fibers – stiffness and mobility problems
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Decrease in bone mass – extreme is osteoporosis
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Curvature of spine (scoliosis), knee, elbow, ankle, hip
stiffness, arthritis osteo (cartilage degeneration) and
rheumatoid (disease of connective tissue)
Poor posture, diminished height, gait changes lead
to accidents including falls
Ulyssean approaches – prevention and early
detection (appropriate exercise and strength
training and environmental factors including stairs,
snow, furniture, slippery surfaces, footwear, rugs,
etc.) - EXERCISE (preventive to rehab)
Cardiovascular System
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Arteriosclerosis – (hardening of arteries) –
thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls
Atherosclerosis – Deposit of pasty, fatty tissues
in the arteries restricting blood flow
Cardiovascular disease is major cause of death
in later years
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Myocardial Infarction, Cerebrovascular Accident (Arteries blocked
by clots or burst) – Thrombosis (large clots), Embolism (free
floating clots), Hemorrhages (weakened arterial wall ruptures)
Hypertension
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Ulyssean Aproach – Again, education and
prevention and treatment
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Diet, excessive weight, cigarettes, blood pressure,
diabetes, internalization of emotions, exercise,
stress reduction and PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Respiratory System
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Skeletal changes restrict lung capacity, loss
of lung elasticity, less air exchange, each
breath less effective  fatigue, shortness of
breath, COPD (emphysema, chronic
bronchitis, asthma)
Ulyssean approach – again…education on
environmental factors and lifestyle
Gastrointestinal System
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Less saliva, # of taste buds decrease, loss of
teeth, esophageal decline, loss of stomach
muscle and digestive enzymes, intestinal
deficiencies, constipation, gallbladder
disease
Ulyssean Approach - Again…education on
proper nutrition and meal preparation, caloric
intake, food safety, eating clubs, hydration,
food varieties, oral health (brushing, flossing),
denture care
Urinary System
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Kidney blood flow decreases, filtration
decreases, loss of muscle tone and elasticity
in urinary structures, decreased bladder
capacity (feelings of urgency), incontinence
(result of disease, drugs, prostate
enlargement, etc – not “old age”)
Ulyssean – Sensitivity to the needs Accommodate with frequent restroom breaks
Other Effects…
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Systems –
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Endocrine, (Pancreas – Diabetes) Reproductive,
and Nervous (Reaction time)
Senses (Compensate for one with another)
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Vision
Hearing
Touch and balance
Taste
Smell
Technological Solutions
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Assistive Technology to compensate for
functional deficits
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Daily Living adaptive devices
Self-care
Mobility aids
Vision and Hearing aids
Communication
Environmental controls
Work and Education
Leisure
Consideration for “technophobia”