PHYSIOLOGIC CHANGES. THE AGEING.

Health: state of complete physical mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease, or infirmity.

The ageing process represents the universal biological changes that occur with age and care unaffected by disease and environmental influences. Not all of these age- related changes have adverse clinical impacts.

The process of ageing is strongly influenced by the effects of environmental, lifestyle and disease states that in turn, are related to or change with ageing but are not due to ageing itself. Often what was once thought to be a consequence of normal ageing is now more appropriated.

1. It’s a normal process.
2. It occurs in all human beings.
3. It starts as soon as we are born.
4. It becomes more noticeable in our final years.
5. It restricts our adaptability and reaction time.
6. It’s not a standardized process.
7. It’s different from one species to another. Each species has its own time limit.
8. It’s different from one man to another.
9. Not all organs of a human being get old at the same time.

There are some biologic changes. The goal is identify anatomical and physiological changes, which are attributed to the normal aging process. There are changes in:

• The integumentary system: the epidermis becomes more fragile
• The musculosketal system
• The respiratory system
• The cardiovascular system
• The hematopoietic and lymphatic systems
• The gastrointestinal system
• The urinary system
• The nervous system

Psychic changes:

• Changes in intellectual capacity: The capacity to resolve problems becomes slower and there is a lack of spontaneity in one’s thought processes.
• Character and personality: personality does not usually change unless there are pathological alterations. The ability to adapt usually becomes harder due to the fear of unknown situations.

Social changes:

• Change of rol and personality
• Change of rol in the community
• Change of rol at work

“If you want to make of aging a positive experience, longer life must be accompanied by continuing opportunities for autonomy and health, productivity and protection”.¹

1. Llanes Betancourt Caridad. Evaluación funcional y anciano frágil. Rev Cubana Enfermer  [revista en la Internet]. 2008  Jun [citado  2013  Abr  04] ;  24(2): Disponible en: http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0864-03192008000200005&lng=es.

2. Hidalgo González J.G. El Envejecimiento: Aspectos Sociales. 1ª ed. Costa Rica. Ed de la Universidad de Costa Rica. 2001.