module two: long-term health conditions, ageing and … · long-term health conditions, ageing and...

of 18 ©yearsahead/July 2013

Module Two:

Long-term health conditions, ageing and how products can

help

This Module is in two parts

Part A briefly describes three long-term health conditions and some aspects of the

ageing process and how they can affect the way we manage different activities in

daily life

Part B introduces you to a range of useful products and explains what features and

benefits can help in supporting independence:

Learning Objectives for Module Two:

By the end of this module you should:

o Be able to describe how selected long-term conditions and

impairments can affect an individual’s independence

o Know about independent living products (community equipment) and

how they can help


Part A – Long-term health conditions and ageing

Quote for the day

“By understanding the ageing process, we can help combat arthritis, diabetes and

heart disease, all these things which are age related.”

Professor Tim Spector, Rheumatologist, King's College, London

January 2012, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12207953

1. Introduction

Now we look at some health conditions and aspects of ageing that could affect the way we manage our everyday lives. Any of us could acquire a long-term condition at any stage of life. In addition, if we are living with a health condition that isn’t life threatening, the ageing process can have an added impact.

In this module we focus on three types of long-term health condition that typify different ways in which an individual’s physical ability can be affected. The term ‘long-term health condition’ (sometimes known as ‘chronic condition’) describes a condition that cannot be cured, but can be managed by medication, improving overall health ( e.g. reducing weight, taking exercise) or different types of therapy.

1.1 Points to bear in mind

There are many different kinds of long term condition, e.g: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), multiple sclerosis, dementia. However, please bear in mind that, while they can affect people in similar ways and solutions, (such as community equipment) can be useful across the board, each service user will be different and will bring their unique experience and situation to bear. It is important not to make assumptions and to work with people in a way that suits them and their particular circumstances.

Also, don’t forget that it’s possible to have more than one health condition at a time (co-morbidities) which will add further complications. For example, in great old age

it is quite common for people to experience hearing and visual impairments, adding a further dimension to any difficulties that a long-term health condition presents.

Any illness that affects strength and stamina (e.g. heart and lung diseases or terminal illnesses) will have an impact on a person’s lifestyle and quality of life. Weakness, pain, and shortness of breath resulting from these kinds of conditions will give rise to similar difficulties as we describe, but may also require a greater degree of expertise, such as help with continence, or avoiding pressure ulcers. In these situations it is crucial to recognise when to refer on to specialist services.

For more information:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/ltc/long_term_health_conditions.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12207953




1.2 What we will cover

The health conditions we will look at are:

Arthritic conditions and osteoporosis

Arthritis and Osteoporosis are conditions mainly affecting bones and joints which will have an impact on posture and bio-mechanical aspects of dexterity and mobility.

We’ll explain what happens as a result of these arthritic conditions

Conditions of the nervous system

Stroke is a condition of the nervous system which affects control of muscles, movement, posture and co-ordination.

We’ll explain the causes and effects of Stroke

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that can affect stamina, sensation and the circulation system. In these respects it has a more indirect effect on mobility.

We’ll briefly explain how diabetes affects mobility

Some aspects of ageing

The ageing process starts from the moment we’re born, but it seems to be part of human nature to deny some of the ways our bodies change as we grow older! We’ll look at some of the changes to our physical and sensory abilities brought by ageing and give you some tips for managing them.


2. Arthritic conditions and Osteoporosis

2.1. Arthritis

The term arthritis means inflammation of the joints. It affects more than 9 million people in the UK (according to the charity Arthritis Care). It causes pain, limits flexibility and restricts movement, making many everyday activities more difficult.

Let’s consider the two most common forms of arthritis – Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

2.2. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, accounting for two million

visits to GPs each year. It usually develops gradually over time. It is more common among women and can develop at any age, although it does occur more frequently in older people. Over 60% of people over 60 show evidence of OA.

The cause is not known but it is thought that factors such as obesity, old joint injuries, and genes can contribute to its development. It is most frequently seen in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine and can also affect the neck and lower back, shoulders, elbows, wrists and ankles.

What are the effects of OA?

Figure 1, below, shows you the difference between a healthy looking joint and one that has been affected by OA:

Joints become stiff and painful as the cartilage on the smooth joint surface

becomes rough and brittle, sometimes even breaking away from the bone

Underlying bone thickens and broadens as the body attempts to reduce the load on the cartilage

Bony growths form at the outer edges of the joint and the space inside the joint narrows

The capsule around the joint (synovial capsule) and its lining thicken

As the pain and stiffness develop, ligaments can weaken along with surrounding

muscle so they are less able to support the joint

OA affects everyone differently. For some people, slight stiffness is all they will ever experience, and the condition will not get any worse. Others may experience more, or all, of the symptoms.


Figure 1. To show the effects of osteoarthritis

Treatment

Pain and stiffness can range from mild to very severe. Depending on severity, the condition can be managed with measures such as gentle exercise, pain-killers, anti- inflammatory drugs, steroid injections, or joint replacement.

Joint replacements are not usually carried out unless the levels of pain and stiffness are severely affecting a person’s life. A replacement will last about 10 -15 years and can be carried out more than once.

For some, the pain may come and go, for others pain worsens when the joint is used a lot, or at the end of a busy day. Other people with severe OA may feel pain in the joint when resting. They may also get a feeling of locking in the joints, which can last for as long as half an hour. This usually occurs if the joint has been rested for a long time, or when they wake up in the morning.

2.3. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can arise suddenly or develop gradually. It can occur at

any age but usually starts between 30 and 50 years of age and is more common in women. It is an inflammatory disease primarily affecting the joints. As a rule, inflammation is the body’s way of healing, but in RA the immune system attacks the body instead of defending it.

What happens in RA?

The whole of the joint is affected, becoming hot, swollen and painful with all the soft structures in and around the joint becoming inflamed.


The inflammation can stay the same for long periods, but from time to time flare-ups occur when the joint becomes even more swollen, hot and painful. Gradually, the chronic inflammation causes damage to the joints. The cartilage thins, the synovial membrane becomes thick and swollen and the bones change shape as bone tissue disappears. The hands in particular can become very stiff and the joints mis-shapen, making small movements difficult and painful. The inflammation can also affect joint ligaments so that eventually they may tear.

RA affects joints on both sides of the body, most commonly the small joints in the hands and feet. Ankles, knees and cervical spine (neck) are also often affected. Shoulders, elbows and hips are not often affected.

Stiffness is likely to be at its worst after long periods of rest, sitting and sleeping.

Treatment

Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and maintaining as full a range of joint movement as possible. Occupational and physiotherapy can help, with splints, activities of daily living, exercise and hydrotherapy.

To see a video of Elaine’s experience of living with osteoarthritis go to:

http://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/medialibrary.aspx?Page=4&Filter=&Id={F979F8F9-8EB0-4DB0-942F-AE35F437E283}&Tag=Real+stories&Uri=video%2f2009%2fFebruary%2fPages%2fOsteoarthritisrealstory.aspx

For further information about arthritic conditions go to: http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources

2.4. Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis tends to occur in middle age and is more common in women (particularly after the menopause) than in men. The cause of the disease is not yet fully understood. Bone structure is largely determined by our genes, but lifestyle can affect bone tissue. A healthy, balanced, calcium-rich diet and plenty of weight-bearing exercise helps to build strong bones.

What happens in Osteoporosis?

Bones have a strong outer wall with the bone cells inside forming a dense honeycomb-like structure. There are two types of bone cell, osteoclasts which continually break down old bone and osteoblasts which build new bone. This

process goes on all our lives but slows as we age so the bones become less dense, resulting in the bone becoming fragile and prone to breaking.

http://www.nhs.uk/video/pages/medialibrary.aspx?Page=4&Filter=&Id=%7bF979F8F9-8EB0-4DB0-942F-AE35F437E283%7d&Tag=Real+stories&Uri=video%2f2009%2fFebruary%2fPages%2fOsteoarthritisrealstory.aspx




http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources


Some people can develop quite severe osteoporosis at a relatively young age and break bones very easily during everyday activities. Broken wrists and hips and small fractures of the spine are most common.

Fractures in the spine can go undetected at first as they may cause little pain, but they can eventually lead to disabling changes in posture and chronic back pain. This can result in the spine being stuck in a forward-flexed position like a question mark (this is called kyphosis) or an s-shaped spine (this is called scoliosis). Either of

these conditions can affect stability, balance and walking, especially in older people as we will see when we look at some aspects of the ageing process. These changes can also make it difficult to sleep and sit comfortably for long periods. Breaking a hip can also have a big impact on confidence, making people nervous of falls and affecting mobility and independence.

Treatment

Drugs can be prescribed which slow down the destructive effects of the condition or stimulate the cells which grow new bone; others can be combined to relieve symptoms.

You can find out more from the National Osteoporosis Society:

http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=240&srcid=183

2.5 The effects on daily life

Over time people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may have increasing

pain, weak or painful grip, difficulty in standing and walking, bending, stretching and coping with steps. This can affect the way they manage just about all household activities, as well as bathing, dressing, getting out and about, enjoying leisure pursuits and an active social life.

People with osteoporosis can experience problems similar to those of arthritis as a result of falls and injuries (given the age at which osteoporosis becomes evident there may well be wear and tear to joints as well). Most commonly though, there is pain and fixed flexion in the spine which affect mobility, posture and balance.

http://www.nos.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=240&srcid=183


Exercise 1. Myth busting!

OA and RA are both diseases of old age. Is this statement TRUE or FALSE?

OA is thought to be a disease of ‘wear and tear’ and RA is an infectious disease. Is this TRUE or FALSE?

Both OA and RA are more common in women than men. Is this TRUE or FALSE?


3. Stroke – or CVA (cerebro-vascular accident)

3.1 Introduction

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is reduced in some way or completely cut off, resulting in brain cells being starved of oxygen and nutrients. This can damage cells and they can begin to die. In the UK over 11,000 people each year have a stroke and it is the third most common cause of death (Stroke Association). Most people who have a stroke are over 65, but it can happen at any age.

What happens in a stroke?

Figure 2 shows what happens when someone has a stroke. There are two types:

Ischaemic, which happens when the blood supply to parts of the brain is blocked by blood clot or fatty material. Blood vessels that are furred-up with fatty material increase the likelihood of a blockage.

Haemorrhagic. This is bleeding inside the brain when a blood vessel bursts, e.g.

when a weak spot in a blood vessel (aneurysm) bursts. The blood spreads into the brain tissue causing damage.

A brain scan can identify the type of stroke which has occurred.

Figure 2. To show what happens in different types of stroke

There is also Transient Ischaemic Attack known as TIA or ‘mini stroke’. This

happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted for a short time. The effects are temporary and clear up within 24 hours. They are sometimes so subtle they are not noticed. Unless they are treated, the potential for a major stroke increases.


Or use this link to find out more:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Strokes usually happen suddenly. The effects vary tremendously, and people can be affected in quite different ways depending on the extent of the clot or bleed, and which part of the brain is damaged, as we will describe later.

Initially the symptoms of a stroke are:

weakness down one side of the body, ranging from numbness to paralysis that can affect the arm and leg

weakness down one side of the face, causing the mouth to droop

speech may be difficult or become difficult to understand

swallowing may be affected

loss of muscle tone and co-ordination

loss of balance

brief loss of vision

confusion

severe headache

In relation to movement, the damage caused to brain cells affects the messages from the brain, controlling movement, co-ordination and balance. As recovery progresses, movement and control improve but there is often lasting weakness particularly affecting the more precise, fine movements of the hand. This means that activities requiring the use of both hands, such as dealing with small fasteners when getting dressed or cutting food can be difficult. There can be changes in muscle tone leaving muscles floppy (called flaccid) or tight and stiff (called spasticity).

Floppiness can result in a ‘dropped foot’, where the affected foot droops and toes catch the ground when walking; the whole leg tends to be thrown forward with little control at the hip and knee and the foot is slapped down. The affected arm hangs down loosely.

Spasticity occurs as the muscles no longer relax and contract smoothly in a co-

ordinated way. Instead the muscles become tight and stiff. While this is most obvious in the limbs, it can also affect speech and muscles generally. The affected hand can become fixed in a clenched position and the elbow bent. In the leg, the knee is tight and bent; the heel is raised and cannot be put flat on the ground. Tendons in the leg and around the body can shorten if the stiffness is severe and prolonged. Spasticity, since it affects muscle tone throughout the

body, can give rise to other complications, such as pressure sores, constipation and bladder infections.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Stroke/Pages/Introduction.aspx


The change of muscle tone on one side of the body affects balance substantially, leading to an increased risk of falling.

Sensation can also be altered by stroke, resulting in feelings of heaviness, numbness or pins and needles, due to brain damage which has resulted in disruption of messages from the receptors in the nervous system.

Damage to certain parts of the brain can affect mood, understanding, speech and motivation.

Treatment

Recovery varies immensely from person to person, given different areas of damage to the brain and the severity of the stroke.

Physiotherapy has an important role to play in helping people use both sides of the body equally, and re-learning standing and walking; splints to hold limbs in the correct position and walking aids may also be provided.

There may be permanent damage to the brain, but other undamaged areas can compensate for this and people also develop ways of dealing with their reduced movement and control. This is where occupational therapy can play an important role by introducing coping strategies, equipment and memory aids.

A speech and language therapist can help with regaining speech, understanding and communication skills and (very importantly) any eating or swallowing difficulties.

Recovery is fastest in the early months following the stroke and then becomes more gradual, but the process of recovery can last many years.

To hear about different experiences of having had a stroke go to:

http://www.chss.org.uk/publications/videos_dvds/facing_the_future/

[You will need software called QuickTime which can be downloaded from the

page when you get there]

3.2 The effects on daily life

The location of the damage in the brain will dictate which side of the body is affected

by the stroke because the left part of the brain controls the right side of the body and

vice versa. In addition generally;

The left side of the brain controls reading, writing, speaking and

understanding. So there are more likely to be speech and communication

problems (aphasia or dysphasia) when a person has a right-sided stroke.

To find out more about living with aphasia go to:

http://www.ukconnect.org/meet-people-living-with-aphasia.aspx

The right side of the brain controls analytical and perceptual tasks, short term

memory and judgement. So, someone with a left-sided stroke may have no

insight of any impairment and may have ‘left-side neglect’ (this is where a

http://www.chss.org.uk/publications/videos_dvds/facing_the_future/

http://www.ukconnect.org/meet-people-living-with-aphasia.aspx


person can be unaware of people or objects on their left side as a result of

visual impairments).

Balance and co-ordination and movement, sensation, vision, hearing and

memory are controlled by both sides of the brain. Therefore these functions

can be affected whichever side of the brain is damaged.

The practical difficulties with everyday activities which a person will encounter after a

stroke will therefore vary enormously. We use both hands to carry out most tasks,

our dominant hand (right or left handedness) for precise co-ordinated movements

and the other hand and arm for less complex supporting and steadying functions.

After stroke it may only be possible to use one hand well and it may not be the

dominant one which will add further complications.

To find out more: http://www.chss.org.uk/stroke/how_stroke_affects_you/

Exercise 2. Communication matters

It is important to empathise and communicate well with the people using your

service. Thinking of what you have learned about stroke, can you identify some

factors which might make communication difficult?

How might you overcome these difficulties?

Make a note of your answers for future reference!

4. Diabetes

There are currently over 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK. It is a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood becomes too high because the body cannot use it properly. We extract glucose from the food we eat and circulate it around the body in our blood system. The pancreas produces a hormone, insulin, which helps us to process glucose to give us the energy we need. Insulin is vital for life and diabetes is a result of a malfunction of the pancreas.

What happens in Diabetes?

There are two main types of Diabetes.

http://www.chss.org.uk/stroke/how_stroke_affects_you/


Type 1 Diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin. This type

usually appears before the age of 40 and is the less common of the two main types.

Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not

enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly. In most cases this is linked with being overweight. This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, though as the population is generally becoming more overweight it is starting to appear in children. Type 2 accounts for between 85 and 95% of all people with Diabetes.

Diabetes, particularly if it is poorly controlled, can damage nerves, muscles, sweat glands and circulation in the feet and legs. Nerve damage is called Diabetic Neuropathy, when affected nerves do not transmit messages from the brain efficiently, resulting in diminished sensation and muscle weakness. There can be problems with the feet because they are parts of the body that are prone to skin damage, and, as diabetes can affect the ability of the skin to heal being able to wash and clean feet is especially important . Lack of sensation and muscle weakness also makes walking and balance difficult.

The long-term complications of Diabetes can lead to damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries and create increased risk of conditions affecting muscles and joints. People with nerve, joint and muscle problems are those most likely to have problems with practical activities in daily life.

Treatment

Type1Diabetes is treated with daily insulation injections and requires a healthy diet, regular exercise and monitoring glucose levels in the blood.

Type 2 Diabetes is treated by losing weight, regular exercise, appropriate diet and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is a progressive condition so, if it is not possible to achieve symptom control with these measures, certain types of medication can be given to assist production of insulin.

Specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians all have roles to play in supporting people with Diabetes.

For more information about diabetes go to: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/

3.1 How Diabetes can affect daily life

Diabetes doesn't have to stop a person from leading the life they want, but it requires

careful management and it will be important to pay special attention to certain

aspects of lifestyle and health, such as diet and exercise, in order to stay healthy and

reduce the risks of complications developing.

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Introduction-to-diabetes/


Exercise 3. Living with Diabetes – eating well

Check out the information about healthy eating as part of managing diabetes

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Healthy_lifestyle/Eating_Well/.

What would be your top tips for a healthy diet be? Tick all that apply

1) Eat 3 meals regularly each day;

2) Balance starchy carbo-hydrates,

3) Lean meat, fresh fruit and vegetables with beans and lentils;

4) Cut down on fats, salt, sugar and alcohol;

5) Eat oily fish a couple of times a week;

6) Eat lots of diabetic chocolate

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Healthy_lifestyle/Eating_Well/


5. How the ageing process can affect us

5.1 Introduction

Ageing is natural, it happens to us all and is cause for celebration, but it is a variable, individual process. Some people seem to be able to maintain their levels of energy and mobility into their late 80’s and beyond. Others age much more quickly and lifestyle and medical conditions can also have an impact.

The information in this section gives a general picture of what may happen with ageing and some ideas to illustrate the kinds of products and adjustments that could help us to accommodate and manage the changes to our bodies that we can experience as we grow older.

5.2 Our ageing bodies

Changes to our bodies due to ageing can become evident as early as our 40s and 50s. Perhaps we begin to need reading glasses, or start to feel some aches and pains, especially in the back, hands and knees. But, for most people the effects of ageing do not emerge until the late 60s early 70s.

What happens to our bones, muscles and joints as we age?

Starting with the skeleton and its associated parts - let’s consider what happens to them over the years.

Bones are strongest when we are young adults. This is because the central part of the bone, which is like a honeycomb, is at its densest in our youth. From our 40s onwards bones become less dense, leading to greater risk of fractures.

To find out more about maintaining bone strength go to:

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/pages/strongbones.aspx

After 25 years of age muscle strength, elasticity and bulk begin to decrease, although this is less noticeable in people who exercise and keep active.

Between the ages of 50 -70, the combined effect of weakened bones (especially in post-menopausal women) and reduced muscle strength makes fractures more of a possibility.

After 70 years of wear and tear on our joints there can be some pain and stiffness, and by the time we are 85, our muscles are half as strong as they were in our 20s.

These effects can make every day life harder. For example, being able to stand for long periods; keep on the move; lift heavy things or maintain a strong grip. Weaker muscles, combined with changes brought about through ageing in the inner ear, will also affect our balance.

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/pages/strongbones.aspx


How the nervous system changes

Now let’s consider how our bodies are controlled – the nervous system. It consists of the brain, spinal column and nerves. It’s highly complex and not only controls the way our bodies function, but also how we respond to stimuli, make sense of the world around us, how we think and feel emotions.

We are not going to go into detail about how the nervous system works here, but you can click on this link to find out more:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/nervous_anatomy.shtml

Over time, the nerve cells in our bodies decrease in number and transmission of messages by the nervous system begins to slow down.

Between 18 – 50 years of age, our ability to learn gradually declines – although very importantly - life experiences and problem-solving skills accumulate and our intellectual abilities actually continue to develop.

From 50 -70, our short-term memory and our ability to concentrate may become less efficient – this is perfectly natural and not always a sign of imminent dementia. Physical reactions will usually become slower.

Over the age of 70, further changes gradually continue until, by the time we are 90, 10% of brain tissue will be lost, leading to some reduction of intellectual ability and physical co-ordination.

The heart and lungs

The heart and lungs are the power-house of our bodies. Together, they get the oxygen our muscles and organs need (from the air around us) into our blood and circulate it to the smallest and furthest parts of our bodies through arteries and veins, whilst simultaneously removing the waste products that have been produced by expending energy.

To find out more, click on this link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/appliedanatomy/0_anatomy_circulatorysys_rev1.shtml

The following major changes in heart and lung function can affect our mobility:

From 40 onwards, blood vessels (arteries and veins) begin to lose elasticity and blood pressure may rise.

Between 50 and 70, heart muscle loses elasticity, so the heart pumps harder but is less able to respond when we increase activity. We become ‘puffed out’ more easily.

By the age of 85, our hearts struggle to support long periods of strenuous activity.

Lung function is at its peak between 20 and 30 years of age. By 45, lungs may not expand fully due to lung tissue changing and ribcage muscles weakening.






By the time we are 80, the lungs work half as well as those of a young adult, and by 85, stamina decreases so we tire more easily.

Other changes that can affect our mobility are:

Between the ages of 75 - 80, the kidneys become less efficient so toxins can take longer to clear from the blood.

Between 50 -70, volume of digestive fluids reduces, and our intestines work less efficiently. Medication may be retained in the system longer.

After 30 years of age our energy needs drop by 5% every decade. This means that the potential for putting on weight and ‘middle-age spread’ increases, particularly if we become less active.

How our senses change

We rely on our senses to receive all the information we need to live. We usually think about having 5 senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Actually, there are many more which we use unconsciously as we go about our daily business. We will look at seeing, hearing and touch, which have an immediate impact on our mobility, but bear in mind that they are only part of our complex sensory systems.

To find out more about how our senses work try the Senses Challenge at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/interactives/senseschallenge/senses.swf

[It takes about ten minutes and you will need Flash player installed on your computer]

How our vision changes

Our eyes are made to receive and transmit visual information to the brain about our surroundings so that we can enjoy and make sense of it and keep safe.

By the time we are 40, the lenses in our eyes are less elastic and the need for reading glasses becomes common.

After 50, we find it harder to see in low light, as more light is needed to stimulate

the visual receptors1 in our eyes. Between 50 and 70 our ability to switch quickly between near and far vision

decreases, and situations such as stairs can begin to become more hazardous. Our eyes also become slower to adapt from light to dark conditions and vice versa, making activities such as night driving more difficult.

Over the age of 70 the ability to distinguish fine detail becomes increasingly difficult.

For more information about sight go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/sight/sight_animation.shtml

1 Receptors are sensitive elements in the retina of the eye that absorb light and start the process that

sends visual signals to the brain.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/sight/sight_animation.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/sight/sight_animation.shtml


Hearing

We rely on both our ears to hear and make sense of the world around us.

Changes in our hearing can begin in our 30s. Between the ages of 50 and 70 it may become difficult to hear faint, or high-pitched, sounds.

During our 70’s continued changes to our ability to hear may make a hearing aid necessary.

For more information about hearing go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/hearing/hearing_animation.shtml

Touch

Our touch receptors are located in our skin, with more concentrated areas in our hands and fingers, which mean they are especially sensitive to heat, pain or sharp objects.

Our skin becomes less able to regulate temperature, by retaining or losing heat, which makes us more susceptible to extremes of hot or cold weather the older we get. We may become less sensitive to pain, heat and cold which can affect personal safety.

There may be diminished sensation on the soles of the feet which can contribute to poor balance and the risk of falling.

For more information about touch go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/touch/touch.shtml

Exercise 4. Growing old gracefully

If we are lucky enough to live to the age of 85 our muscles are likely to be

half as strong as they were when we were: a) 15; b) 20; c) 25; d) 30

Between the ages of 18 -50 although our ability to learn may get harder

what other abilities can actually improve? a) spelling; b) articulation;

c) intellectual; d) mental arithmetic

How much do our energy needs drop by every decade after the age of 30?

a) 5%; b) 10%; c) 15%; d) 3%.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/hearing/hearing_animation.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/hearing/hearing_animation.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/factfiles/touch/touch.shtml

module two: long-term health conditions, ageing and … · long-term health conditions, ageing and...

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