Sensory Changes within the Elderly

Paper Summary:

The paper outlines some of the most prevalent aspects of normal sensory loss among the elderly, namely, the partial or complete loss of vision, the loss of smell, taste, hearing and balance. The paper also looks at the more abnormal and pathological conditions associated with ageing that include cataracts, glaucoma, senile macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, severe memory loss, Alzheimer's disease and depression. The paper then examines the various treatment possibilities and protocols as they relate to the nursing environment.

Outline:
Introduction
Types of Sensory Loss
Treatments Options and Protocols

From the Paper:

"While ageing is not a uniform process in all people and is "... unique in each individual...", yet it is generally true to say that most people will experience change and often a deterioration in their sensory organs as the aging process develops. Ageing is considered to be a normal process and the affects of ageing on the senses and related functionality is not seen as being abnormal or pathological in any sense. In the first instance, when dealing with the elderly nursing praxis therefore has to take cognizance of the various ways in which the normal process of ageing can affect the health and the general situation of the elderly patient."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abrahamova D. and Hlavacka F. Age-related changes of human balance during quiet stance. Retrieved August 12, 2008, fromhttp://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:TChoobhYha8J:www.biomed.cas.cz/physiolres/pdf/prepress/1238.pdf+NORMAL+AND+PATHOLOGICAL+SENSORY+LOSS+in+the+ELDERLY.&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=36&gl=za
• Capella-McDonnall M.E. ( 2005) The effects of single and dual sensory loss on symptoms of depression in the elderly. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2005 Sep; 20(9):855-61. Retrieved August 12, 2008, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16116571
• Diabetic Retinopathy. Retrieved August 12, 2008, from http://www.kellogg.umich.edu/patientcare/conditions/diabetic.retinopathy.html
• Hazen, S. et al . ( 1997) Assessment and management of sensory loss in elderly patients. AORN Journal. Retrieved August 12, 2008, from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19167474.html
• Nordin S. and Murphy C. ( 1998) Odor Memory in Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease . Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 855, pp. 686-693.

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