Do you feel what I feel? Understanding Sensory Changes in the Aging Population

Do you feel what I feel?Understanding Sensory Changes in the Aging

Population

Sue Brooks MSN, RN, AOCNS®Clinical Nurse Specialist – ACE Unit and Patient Education

Amanda Himes MSN, RN, BCClinical Nurse Manager- ACE Unit

Presenters

Acute Care of the Elderly Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital 21 Bed Inpatient Medical-Surgical Unit Goal: Maintain the functional status of the

older adult during acute hospitalization by focusing on their unique needs

Interdisciplinary Team Approach: Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Educator, Pharmacist, Dietician, Physicians, Physical/Occupational therapy, Pastoral care, Nursing and Nursing Support

Sensory Changes Vision Hearing Touch Smell Taste

Effects of age related sensory changes

• Barriers during communication and care– Misinformation– Confusion– Wrong assumptions

• Reduced independence– Reduced ability to provide self care

• Isolation

Vision Thicker lens Loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye Pupil takes longer to dilate and contract Reduced pupil size Visual field becomes smaller Eyelids start to lag Decreased upward gaze Problems with glare Decrease in color vision

Vision - impact Inability to adjust to glare and change in

lighting conditions Decrease in eyes ability to change the

shape of the lens to focus on near objects Medication labels

Safety risk for driving and maneuvering in the environment

Increased safety risk in changing environmental light

Hearing Loss of sensory hair cells and nerve cells Decreased movement of the bones in ears Increased dryness of ear wax Increase in number of coarse hair in the

ears Eardrum thickens Loss of high frequency hearing Decreased ability to process sounds after

age 50

Hearing - impact Decreases in sound moving across the

ear canal Decreased ability to hear sounds such as

p,w,f,sh and women’s and children’s voices

More time needed to process and respond to sounds

Decreased hearing

Hearing - impact Decreased quality of communication Social isolation Low self-esteem

Hearing - impact “I went to a table to join four friends. When one

of them asked me a question which I could not understand, the other repeated it for me. However, I was still unable to lip read it. They paused while one of them wrote it down. I was aware that the easy going conversation they had been enjoying before my arrival now ended.

Within a few minutes two of them left and after a brief pause the others explained they had pressing engagements. I sat alone.”

Responds inappropriately

Is labeled confused

Becomes frustrated

Is labeled uncooperative

Becomes angry

Caregiver avoids

Patient Cycle of Hearing Loss

Taste Most changes in taste are due to:

Condition of the mouth Medications Decreased number of taste buds Dry mouth Decreased sense of smell Disease Use of tobacco

Taste - Impact Decreased sensitivity to flavors Swallowing ability Difficulty with cooking Decreased appetite Eating spoiled food

Smell Decrease in nerve fibers associated with

smell Decreased ability to identify odors

Smell - Impact Impacts ability to taste Inability to identify spoiled food Inability to identify smoke or gas leaks Limits enjoyment in eating Limits pleasures of everyday life

Smell of spring rain, Christmas tree, flowers, coffee brewing

Touch/sensation Decreased sensitivity to:

Temperature Pressure Touch

Decreased balance Decreased sense of position of legs Change in pain sensation

Touch/sensation - Impact Increased risk for:

Falls Burns Lacerations Calluses Pressure ulcers

Hands on interactive experience

Do you feel what I feel?

Vision What are you experiencing?

Glaucoma

How would this impact your day to day life?


Macular Degeneration



Hemianopsia



Cataracts



Yellowing of the lens

Medication Experience

References Capezuti, E., Zwicker, D., Mezey, M., &

Fulmer, T. (Ed’s.). (2008). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Do you feel what I feel? Understanding Sensory Changes in the Aging Population

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Transcript of Do you feel what I feel? Understanding Sensory Changes in the Aging Population