Impact of Functional Loss on Independence and Quality of Life in Aging Adults-A Comprehensive Analysis

Impact of Functional Loss on Independence and Quality of Life in Aging Adults-A Comprehensive Analysis

Functionality

Several changes in the body characterize aging. These changes range from physiologic changes characterized by declining biological functionality to mental changes characterized by cognitive decline. Ultimately, physiologic changes will result in reduced ability for the human body to adapt to metabolic stress, the consequence of which is the deterioration of organ functionality and consequent failure. On the other hand, mental changes are not only attributable to cognitive decline relatable to physiologic changes but may also be a consequence of environmental and social changes that normally appear as one age. These changes seen in older adults have been implicated in the loss of functionality that often characterizes older adulthood (Alcock et al., 2015). This paper seeks to explore these functionality losses and how they impact the well-being of these aged groups.

Several functionality losses characterize the aging process. These functionality losses include physical decline, cognitive decline, social decline, and emotional decline, amongst others. Whereas these functionality losses may not be attributable to single factors, their impact is always evident in the overall deterioration of these individuals’ well-being and their suffering. These multifactorial functionality losses often involve varying adulthood functionality processes (Alcock et al., 2015). Social functionality, for instance, is defined by the relation of an individual with other members of society, while physical functionality defines an individual’s ability to be independent. The aging process often triggers a downward spiral in these functionalities, ultimately reducing the quality of life and suffering.

Physical functionality decline remains the greatest predicament in old age. It has been implicated in several other functionality losses that, in turn, affect the well-being of an individual. Physical functionality decline encompasses all changes related to reduced capacity or ability to undertake routine activities independently without the onset of impeding factors such as considerable fatigue. Conceptually, the development process is characterized by physiologic changes that often peak in adulthood. At this phase of human life, an individual attains optimal physical fitness as defined by muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and agility. Most people at this stage can navigate life difficulties with ease and are also capable of carrying out most routine activities. However, as aging begins, there is a considerable decline in these capabilities and ultimate physical functionality decline (Milanovic et al., 2016). This decline can, however, be accelerated by several causes, as described below.

Whereas the aging process is a normal physiologic process, taking part in all animal cells, the extent of the downward spiraling in physical functionalities varies across individuals. This may be due to other relatable factors. Physiologic aging often leads to a reduction in the general functionalities of the bodily organs and organ systems. This alone has been attributable to several incarcerations evident in old age. Reduction in the musculoskeletal system functionalities often causes a reduction in muscle mass (muscular atrophy) and a reduction in muscle strength due to a reduced number of muscle fibers. This alone causes a significant reduction in an individual’s ability to handle tasks that they would have otherwise handled in their early active years.

Reduction of the cardiorespiratory system ability is also another consequence of aging. This has been implicated in reduced aerobic capabilities of older adults, as evident by easy fatiguability and also tachycardic responses to aerobic exercises such as normal walking and running activities. These effects are due to a considerable reduction in the oxygen-taking capacities of the muscles as aging progresses. Another organ function that is affected by aging and is implicated in suffering is the skeletal system. As aging progresses, the bone mineral density decreases. The propensity to fall, therefore, increases significantly with age. This problem is even more pronounced in older females, where post-menopausal hormonal changes have been implicated in falls, osteoporotic disorders, and osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Another considerable cause of functionality decline is pathological changes that are apparent in old age. Older adults have a higher likelihood of developing several underlying pathologies. These pathologies are often chronic, and they have been implicated in increased hospitalizations, accelerated reduction in physical functionalities, and incarcerations evident in the aged populations. These underlying pathologies are, in most instances, a consequence of reduced immunological functionality of the body (Montecino-Rodriguez et al., 2016). Just like other organs and organ systems, the immune system is also subject to physiologic changes. This, however, predisposes the body to several infections that contribute to their suffering.

Chronic underlying conditions presenting in the aged may be a consequence of reduced immunity or may be attributable to early lifestyle and environmental causes. The most common implicated underlying chronic conditions in older adults include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, coronary heart disease, and inflammatory diseases, among others (Jaul & Barron, 2017). These diseases are the leading causes of old age incarcerations and suffering and have been implicated in higher morbidity and mortality rates among these groups of persons. The pathologies often necessitate critical healthcare requirements the consequence of which is felt by providers as well as governments that have to finance these individuals’ treatment. 

The individuals themselves often exhibit considerable physical limitations. Several of them are bedridden, while others have limited ability to carry out tasks that they would have otherwise executed with ease. The combination of physiologic changes attributable to aging and underlying chronic conditions drastically reduces the quality of life of these individuals. These changes often lead to the classical old age symptoms, which include social withdrawal, general body weakness, increased fatiguability, hearing loss, loss of appetite, urinary and bladder incontinence, sensory losses, and alterations in the vital signs, among others (Rogers et al., 2020). The aging process, together with these presentations, produces considerable impacts on the life of the aged. These impacts of the aging process are described below.

The aging process impacts individuals variedly. Firstly, aging results in a considerable decline in physical capabilities as defined by physical strength. An aged person can no longer execute tasks that they would have otherwise executed in earlier life. A considerable number of older persons often come to terms with this and accept this life transition, but for some individuals, it presents considerable difficulties. This difficulty is even pronounced in individuals who rely on their physical strength as a means to obtain livelihood (Isaacowitz & Smith, 2016). The consequence of this has been evident in the development of mental disorders, including stress and depression. This also adds to their already reduced quality of life. 

The aging process also presents various infections and chronic pathologies that affect an individual’s independence and reduce their quality of life. A disease state generally reduces bodily strength, thus impeding an individual’s capability to handle routine activities. Such diseases, such as infections attributable to lowered immune functionality as well as chronic underlying conditions, generally produce body weakness and a reduction in physical strength (Isaacowitz & Smith, 2016). These conditions have been implicated in old age suffering and incarcerations.

Suffering and incarceration often result from the effects of these pathologies on the body. Some of these disorders cause significant pain in these individuals, while others limit the body’s ability to perform tasks. Inflammatory conditions of the extremities, for instance, as seen in arthritic disorders, cause pain to an individual and as well limit their range of motion. Cardiorespiratory disorders, on the other hand, limit these individuals’ ability to do aerobic exercises. The overall effects of these disorders are considerable suffering and incarcerations that ultimately rob them of their independence. In most setups, these individuals are often taken to nursing care homes due to the criticality of their presentations as well as the care demands that they do have. 

However, several steps can be taken to enhance the quality of life of the aged and promote their independence. Enhancing and maintaining physical motion is a significant step towards the promotion of physical independence. Resistance training is utilizable in reversing muscular atrophy and can be utilized to help older people gain strength and, therefore, maintain physical independence (Milanovic et al., 2016). Physical activity training, as seen with resistance training, has dual benefits of enhancing muscular rebuilding and preventing chronic conditions.

Adequate treatment of underlying disease is also important. Underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular conditions are manageable by a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The significance of treating these conditions is that they reduce the disease burden on individuals as well as promote their agility and general body strength. This, in turn, liberates them from dependence on other caregivers. 

Depression is implicated in old age suffering and an overall deterioration in the quality of life of older adults. Therefore, it is paramount that older adults with an increased propensity to develop depression, either due to physical functionality decline or other social factors, are given keen consideration (Rogers et al., 2020). The objective should be to detect depressive episodes early enough and then manage them promptly and appropriately to prevent the occurrence of other factors that may decrease their physical activity and, consequently, their quality of life. All these measures are effective in alleviating old age-related suffering and ultimately enhance their independence and quality of life.

Aging is a normal physiologic process that occurs in all animal cells. It may, however, present considerable challenges in old age. Physical functionality decline is one of the factors that result from aging. Whereas physical decline remains a consequence of declining functionality of the various physiological organs and organ systems, other factors, such as underlying conditions, tend to accelerate this downward decline in physical functionalities. The impacts of this interaction are often evident in suffering and incarceration and the general reduction in the quality of life. However, various interventions can be undertaken to slow this decline and grant these individuals a better quality of life, as described above.

References

Alcock, L., O’Brien, T., & Vanicek, N. (2015). Age-related changes in physical functioning: correlates between objective and self-reported outcomes. Physiotherapy, 101(2), 204-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2014.09.001

Isaacowitz, D., & Smith, J. (2016). Positive and Negative Affect in Very Old Age. The Journals Of Gerontology: Series B, 58(3), P143-P152. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/58.3.p143

Milanovic, Z., Jorgić, B., Trajković, N., Sporis, Pantelić, S., & James. (2016). Age-related decrease in physical activity and functional fitness among elderly men and women. Clinical Interventions In Aging, 549. https://doi.org/10.2147/cia.s44112

Montecino-Rodriguez, E., Berent-Maoz, B., & Dorshkind, K. (2016). Causes, consequences, and reversal of immune system aging. Journal Of Clinical Investigation, 123(3), 958-965. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci64096

Rogers, K., Simic, Petra, and Guarente, Leonard P. (2020, January 30). aging. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/aging-life-process

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Assignment Content

“Often, a loss of function will begin a downward spiral in the life of an elderly person, affecting his or her independence and quality of life.”

Impact of Functional Loss on Independence and Quality of Life in Aging Adults-A Comprehensive Analysis

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word APA-formatted paper that addresses the significance and validity of the above statement. A loss of function secondary to chronic disease, conditions, or illness can characterize aging. Include how a specific loss of function and the cause might affect one or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) of an older adult. Be sure you are clear on your example of loss and how that may create a downward spiral.