Released June 27, 2008

AMARILLO, Texas – Challenges the elderly face daily may be dismissed as “just growing older” or normal aging, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service specialist said. But in reality, the only thing ‘normal’ about aging is that everyone grows older.

“As people age, a majority of them remain healthy and independent,” said Andrew Crocker, AgriLife Extension gerontology specialist. “In spite of this, some individuals begin to experience changes that are perceived as signs of deterioration or decline.

“Our society tends to focus on that decline, influencing our perception of normal,” he said. “We should forget stereotypes and look at all people, regardless of age, as unique individuals, each with a particular set of resources and challenges.”

As the body ages, it may undergo gradual changes that may or may not be experienced by friends, family or acquaintances, Crocker said. How an individual ages may depend on heredity; however, studies show lifestyle choices also impact aging – to the tune of 50 percent of health-risk factors.

The physical aging process can be influenced in a variety of ways, Crocker said. The bulk of the changes that take place over the years may be strongly affected by physical activity and other lifestyle characteristics.

Apart from heredity, people who live in areas with especially long-life expectancy have the following characteristics: regular physical activity, well-balanced diet, social involvement, moderate or no alcohol and no smoking.

“By keeping respect for the immense differences between individuals, especially older adults, and not assuming or stereotyping based on health and function, we all can do a lot to further the ‘normal is as normal does’ philosophy of aging and health,” Crocker said.

Body and function changes that may or may not occur as a person grows older include:

• Hearing and Vision. Changes in the ear may make some sounds harder to hear and fluctuations in tone and speech less clear. Also, over time, the lens of the eye may become less flexible or develop cataracts. Night vision and visual sharpness may decline, and sensitivity to glare increase.

• Skin and Bones. Skin may become less elastic, more lined and wrinkled and/or bruise easily. Oil glands may produce less oil, making the skin drier than before. Over the course of a lifetime, it may be common to lose a couple of inches in height due to changes in posture and compression of joints, spinal bones and spinal discs. Bones may gradually lose some mineral content, making them weaker and less dense. In women, bone loss may increase after menopause.

• Brain and nervous system. Beginning in mid-life, the brain's weight, the size of its nerve network and its blood flow may begin to decrease. However, the brain adapts to these changes, growing new patterns of nerve endings. Memory changes are not necessarily common in aging. Recall of names and details may slow but keeping the brain active throughout life will help.

• Heart and Lungs. The heart may become less efficient as it ages and may have to work a little harder during activity. In inactive people, the lungs may become less efficient over time, supplying the body with less oxygen. For these reasons, among others, physical activity remains important throughout life.

• Kidneys. The kidneys may decline in size and function, which diminishes their ability to filter wastes and medications from the blood, and decreased tolerance for dehydration. This makes it increasingly important to minimize alcohol consumption and unnecessary medications and drink plenty of fluids.

The aging process may also bring social and emotional change, Crocker said.

“Inevitably, older relatives and friends may grow frail and die, individuals may lose a spouse,” he said. “Physical and social losses that may accompany aging may be very difficult emotionally.

“Grief and sadness are common reactions to such situations, and we cannot and should not try to lessen these reactions,” Crocker said. “Just as the physical losses of later life may be compensated for, so can the social and emotional losses be overcome with time.”

To test your “Normal Aging IQ” through the Mayo Clinic Web site, go to http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aging/QZ00073.

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http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=549

Contacts: Andrew Crocker, 806-677-5600, abcrocker@ag.tamu.edu

Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5600, SKledbetter@ag.tamu.edu