Ageing and the Special Senses: Difference between revisions
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Impaired sensory functioning impacts the quality of life of older people by influencing the way they experience the environment and react to stimuli and limiting social activities (may lead to isolation and depression). Sensory deficiency has also negative consequences for somatic health. eg. vision loss increases the risk of falls and fractures; olfactory loss complicates the detection of dangers in the environment (e.g., smoke, gas, spoiled food)<ref name=":0" />. | Impaired sensory functioning impacts the quality of life of older people by influencing the way they experience the environment and react to stimuli and limiting social activities (may lead to isolation and depression). Sensory deficiency has also negative consequences for somatic health. eg. vision loss increases the risk of falls and fractures; olfactory loss complicates the detection of dangers in the environment (e.g., smoke, gas, spoiled food)<ref name=":0" />. | ||
[[Eyesight in the Elderly|Eyesight In the Elderly]], refer to link | |||
[[Hearing in the Elderly]], refer to link | |||
* Nose - Atrophic changes in the mucosae with impaired sense of smell. 60% of 70–80 year olds have impaired smell. With decreased taste, this affects appetite. Energy systems are low affecting tolerance and fatigue. Undetected toxic fumes can poison the body. | * Nose - Atrophic changes in the mucosae with impaired sense of smell. 60% of 70–80 year olds have impaired smell. With decreased taste, this affects appetite. Energy systems are low affecting tolerance and fatigue. Undetected toxic fumes can poison the body. | ||
Revision as of 07:12, 29 March 2021
Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Lucinda hampton, Kim Jackson, Simisola Ajeyalemi, Rucha Gadgil, Tolulope Adeniji and Aminat Abolade
Introduction[edit | edit source]
The special senses are the senses that have specialized organs devoted to them. Special senses include the following:
- Hearing and balance (which includes the auditory system and vestibular system)
- Sight/Vision (the eye)
- Smell (the nose)
- Taste (the tongue)
We experience the environment around us through our senses. Neurones relay this information, via the central nervous system, to the brain. If the central nervous system or the brain deteriorate, as a result of age or illness then this flow of sensory information can also deteriorate.
- As we age the level of stimulation required to make the brain aware of a sensation also rises (effectively reducing the sensitivity of our senses).
- A healthy lifestyle, a healthy environment and seeking medical advice when needed can go some way towards helping protect the senses. [1]
Changes to the Sensory System[edit | edit source]
As we age, our sensory functions decline contributing to an increased isolation from the outside world, forcing us to adopt perceptual aids (e.g., glasses, hearing aids). This has been demonstrated especially for hearing and vision. Older people usually experience a decline in visual acuity because of changes in lens elasticity which consequently lead to a decrease in abilities to focus on near objects (i.e., presbyopia) and to adapt to light. Also hearing is well known to decline with age and is usually characterized by a decreased hearing sensitivity, capability to understand speech in a noisy environment, slowed central processing of acoustic stimuli, and impaired sound localization. It has been estimated that about 30% of men and 20% of women in Europe have a hearing loss of 30dB or more at the age of 70 years old. Similarly, deficits in smell and taste are highly prevalent in older people from approximately 60 years of age.[2]
Impaired sensory functioning impacts the quality of life of older people by influencing the way they experience the environment and react to stimuli and limiting social activities (may lead to isolation and depression). Sensory deficiency has also negative consequences for somatic health. eg. vision loss increases the risk of falls and fractures; olfactory loss complicates the detection of dangers in the environment (e.g., smoke, gas, spoiled food)[2].
Eyesight In the Elderly, refer to link
Hearing in the Elderly, refer to link
- Nose - Atrophic changes in the mucosae with impaired sense of smell. 60% of 70–80 year olds have impaired smell. With decreased taste, this affects appetite. Energy systems are low affecting tolerance and fatigue. Undetected toxic fumes can poison the body.
- Taste - Atrophic changes in throat mucosae and neuronal degeneration with taste buds reduced 64% by the age of 75. Diminished reflex to cough and swallowing as well as a decrease in salivary secretion.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Confusional states can be caused by sensory deprivation or communication may be affected. It is important to talk more slowly and clearly than loudly. Check hearing aids are working correctly, and keep a communicator at hand, but be ready to use written communication methods or basic sign language. If repetition of a sentence is necessary, initially do not change the order of the words you used; it may be that person may not have heard you fully, rather than because they have misunderstood what you have said.
Resources[edit | edit source]
Ageing and the Central Nervous System: Special Senses
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ AGE WATCH AGE AND THE SENSE Available from:https://www.agewatch.net/ageing-why-and-how/effects-of-ageing-on-the-sense/ (accessed 28.3.2021)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cavazzana A, Röhrborn A, Garthus-Niegel S, Larsson M, Hummel T, Croy I. Sensory-specific impairment among older people. An investigation using both sensory thresholds and subjective measures across the five senses. PLoS One. 2018 Aug 27;13(8):e0202969.Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6110574/ (accessed 29.3.2021)
