is life expectancy increasing or decreasing
decreasing (b/c of COVID)
biological changes of normal aging that make the elderly more vulnerable to comorbidities and injury
body composition changes (increased fat, muscle atrophy, decreased water)
skin changes (stiffened fascial sheaths, increased capillary fragility)
sensory changes (loss of visual acuity, loss of auditory neurons/cochlear hair, decreased smell)
brain changes (decline in cognitive function)
MSK changes (decreased proprioception)
cardiopulmonary changes (atherosclerosis, decreased chest wall compliance)
liver changes (decreased liver function)
renal changes (decreased GFR)
immunologic changes (increased autoantibodies)
psychologic changes (sleep disturbances)
dental changes (tooth loss, dental disease)
describe self-healing capacity in the context of aging
self-healing capacity decreases with age
aging decreases the physiologic reserve of body systems; chronic diseases increase with age
clinical significance of self-healing capacity in aging populations
physicians have less room for error
describe risk versus benefit in the context of aging
less is more (less OMT is better); go slow and low
describe individualization in the context of aging
individualizing care is better in the aging population
how to screen elderly patients for risk factors that contraindicate OMT
visual/hearing impairment, osteoporosis, bowel/bladder control, orthopedic history, medications, lab results (protein levels, liver function test, calcium levels)
most common cause of fatal and nonfatal accidents in 65+ population
falls
alterations in OMT for geriatric population
indirect techniques are better tolerated
slow and controlled movement
concentrate on transition zones
use fewer techniques for a maximum response
OMT techniques to use to target biomechanical model
indirect techniques (e.g., counterstrain, MFR, FPR)
elderly dysfunctions of the biomechanical model
increased thoracic kyphosis and dysphagia
OMT techniques to use to target respiratory-circulatory model
MFR to transverse diaphragms
elderly dysfunctions of the respiratory-circulatory model
large hernias
OMT techniques to use to target neurological model
assess sympathetic/parasympathetic restrictions; rib raising, OA joint release
OMT techniques to use to target behavioral model
MFR to OA and CT diaphragm, cranial techniques
OMT techniques to use to target metabolic model
suboccipital release, TL or LS diaphragm release, nutrition, dentition
what is homeostenosis
diminishing of the body’s reserve to self-regulate with age
