1. Cardiovascular System (Heart and Blood)
This system includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
It pumps blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to body parts and removes carbon dioxide and waste.
Arteries take oxygen-rich blood from the heart.
Veins return blood with carbon dioxide back to the heart.
Capillaries connect arteries and veins.
Normal aging: The heart weakens and blood vessels become stiffer, slowing blood flow.
Common problems:
High blood pressure (Hypertension): Makes the heart work harder and can cause strokes or organ damage.
Low blood pressure (Hypotension): Causes dizziness or fainting.
Heart failure: The heart can’t pump enough blood, causing swelling, shortness of breath.
Heart attack: Blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.
Stroke: Blood flow to part of the brain stops, causing paralysis or confusion.
Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat (like “fluttering” or pounding).
2. Respiratory System (Breathing)
This includes the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs.
Its job is to bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide.
When we inhale, air goes to the lungs where oxygen enters the blood. When we exhale, waste gas (carbon dioxide) leaves the body.
Normal aging: Lungs become less stretchy, so breathing may be shallower.
Common problems:
Colds and sinus infections (URIs) – runny nose, cough, sore throat.
Pneumonia – lung infection causing cough, fever, chills.
COPD – long-term lung disease from smoking, makes breathing difficult.
Asthma – allergic reaction making airways narrow and breathing hard.
3. Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)
The skin protects the body, controls temperature, and senses touch.
It has three layers:
Epidermis (outer layer): Blocks germs and keeps moisture in.
Dermis: Has blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat, and oil glands.
Subcutaneous layer: Fat and tissue that keeps us warm and stores energy.
Normal aging: Skin thins, dries, wrinkles, and bruises easily. Nails become brittle.
Care tips: Keep skin clean, dry, and moisturized. Move clients often to avoid pressure sores. Eat well to support healing.
Common problems:
Pressure sores (bedsores) from sitting or lying too long.
Venous and arterial ulcers – poor circulation wounds on legs or feet.
Rashes, infections, burns, and skin cancer.
Dehisced wounds (surgical wounds reopening).
Fistulas (abnormal tunnels between body parts).
4. Genitourinary System (Kidneys, Bladder, Reproductive Organs)
This system removes waste and keeps water and minerals balanced.
It includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and sex organs.
Normal aging: Kidneys filter slower, bladder holds less, and men may have an enlarged prostate making urination hard.
Common problems:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Burning urination, fever, or confusion.
Incontinence: Inability to control urination.
Enlarged prostate: Common in older men; makes urination difficult.
5. Gastrointestinal System (Digestive Tract)
The mouth, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas work together to digest food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste.
Normal aging: Fewer taste buds, slower digestion, and constipation due to less activity and fluids.
Common problems:
Constipation or fecal impaction – hard stools from dehydration or inactivity.
Hemorrhoids – swollen veins in the rectum.
Ulcers – sores in the stomach or intestines.
Colitis (IBS) – inflamed bowel causing diarrhea.
GERD – acid reflux or heartburn.
Dehydration – not enough fluids.
6. Endocrine System (Hormones)
This system includes glands like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, and testes.
They make hormones that control growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Normal aging: Hormone levels change—women go through menopause, men’s hormone levels drop slightly.
Common problems:
Diabetes Mellitus: Body doesn’t make or use insulin properly.
Type I: Usually starts young; needs insulin shots.
Type II: Common in adults; managed with diet, exercise, and medicine.
Watch for low sugar (below 70) – shaky, sweaty, confused.
Watch for high sugar (above 200) – thirsty, tired, frequent urination.
Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone, common in older adults—causes tiredness, weight gain, dry skin.
7. Nervous System (Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves)
This system controls all body functions and senses.
The brain interprets signals, and the spinal cord carries messages to and from the body.
Normal aging: Fewer nerve cells; slower responses and reflexes.
Common problems:
Seizures/Epilepsy: Sudden electrical activity in the brain causing shaking or loss of consciousness.
Parkinson’s Disease: Tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Memory loss and confusion.
Traumatic Brain Injury: From falls or accidents.
8. Musculoskeletal System (Bones, Muscles, Joints)
This system supports and moves the body.
Bones protect organs; muscles make movement possible; joints, ligaments, and tendons connect everything.
Normal aging: Bones lose calcium and become weak; joints stiffen; muscles shrink; posture changes.
Common problems:
Osteoporosis: Weak bones that break easily.
Arthritis: Joint swelling and pain.
Fractures: Broken bones from falls or injury.
9. Sensory System (Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Skin)
This system helps us see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
As we age, vision and hearing often decline.
Common eye problems:
Cataracts: Cloudy lens.
Dry eyes: Not enough tears.
Macular degeneration: Loss of central vision.
Glaucoma: High eye pressure leading to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy: Eye damage from diabetes.
Common ear problems:
Hearing loss: From aging or noise.
Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in ears.
Vertigo: Dizziness or spinning sensation.
This system includes the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
It pumps blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to body parts and removes carbon dioxide and waste.
Arteries take oxygen-rich blood from the heart.
Veins return blood with carbon dioxide back to the heart.
Capillaries connect arteries and veins.
Normal aging: The heart weakens and blood vessels become stiffer, slowing blood flow.
Common problems:
High blood pressure (Hypertension): Makes the heart work harder and can cause strokes or organ damage.
Low blood pressure (Hypotension): Causes dizziness or fainting.
Heart failure: The heart can’t pump enough blood, causing swelling, shortness of breath.
Heart attack: Blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.
Stroke: Blood flow to part of the brain stops, causing paralysis or confusion.
Arrhythmia: Irregular heartbeat (like “fluttering” or pounding).
2. Respiratory System (Breathing)
This includes the nose, throat, windpipe, and lungs.
Its job is to bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide.
When we inhale, air goes to the lungs where oxygen enters the blood. When we exhale, waste gas (carbon dioxide) leaves the body.
Normal aging: Lungs become less stretchy, so breathing may be shallower.
Common problems:
Colds and sinus infections (URIs) – runny nose, cough, sore throat.
Pneumonia – lung infection causing cough, fever, chills.
COPD – long-term lung disease from smoking, makes breathing difficult.
Asthma – allergic reaction making airways narrow and breathing hard.
3. Integumentary System (Skin, Hair, Nails)
The skin protects the body, controls temperature, and senses touch.
It has three layers:
Epidermis (outer layer): Blocks germs and keeps moisture in.
Dermis: Has blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sweat, and oil glands.
Subcutaneous layer: Fat and tissue that keeps us warm and stores energy.
Normal aging: Skin thins, dries, wrinkles, and bruises easily. Nails become brittle.
Care tips: Keep skin clean, dry, and moisturized. Move clients often to avoid pressure sores. Eat well to support healing.
Common problems:
Pressure sores (bedsores) from sitting or lying too long.
Venous and arterial ulcers – poor circulation wounds on legs or feet.
Rashes, infections, burns, and skin cancer.
Dehisced wounds (surgical wounds reopening).
Fistulas (abnormal tunnels between body parts).
4. Genitourinary System (Kidneys, Bladder, Reproductive Organs)
This system removes waste and keeps water and minerals balanced.
It includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and sex organs.
Normal aging: Kidneys filter slower, bladder holds less, and men may have an enlarged prostate making urination hard.
Common problems:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Burning urination, fever, or confusion.
Incontinence: Inability to control urination.
Enlarged prostate: Common in older men; makes urination difficult.
5. Gastrointestinal System (Digestive Tract)
The mouth, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas work together to digest food, absorb nutrients, and remove waste.
Normal aging: Fewer taste buds, slower digestion, and constipation due to less activity and fluids.
Common problems:
Constipation or fecal impaction – hard stools from dehydration or inactivity.
Hemorrhoids – swollen veins in the rectum.
Ulcers – sores in the stomach or intestines.
Colitis (IBS) – inflamed bowel causing diarrhea.
GERD – acid reflux or heartburn.
Dehydration – not enough fluids.
6. Endocrine System (Hormones)
This system includes glands like the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, and testes.
They make hormones that control growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
Normal aging: Hormone levels change—women go through menopause, men’s hormone levels drop slightly.
Common problems:
Diabetes Mellitus: Body doesn’t make or use insulin properly.
Type I: Usually starts young; needs insulin shots.
Type II: Common in adults; managed with diet, exercise, and medicine.
Watch for low sugar (below 70) – shaky, sweaty, confused.
Watch for high sugar (above 200) – thirsty, tired, frequent urination.
Hypothyroidism: Low thyroid hormone, common in older adults—causes tiredness, weight gain, dry skin.
7. Nervous System (Brain, Spinal Cord, Nerves)
This system controls all body functions and senses.
The brain interprets signals, and the spinal cord carries messages to and from the body.
Normal aging: Fewer nerve cells; slower responses and reflexes.
Common problems:
Seizures/Epilepsy: Sudden electrical activity in the brain causing shaking or loss of consciousness.
Parkinson’s Disease: Tremors, stiffness, and slow movement.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Memory loss and confusion.
Traumatic Brain Injury: From falls or accidents.
8. Musculoskeletal System (Bones, Muscles, Joints)
This system supports and moves the body.
Bones protect organs; muscles make movement possible; joints, ligaments, and tendons connect everything.
Normal aging: Bones lose calcium and become weak; joints stiffen; muscles shrink; posture changes.
Common problems:
Osteoporosis: Weak bones that break easily.
Arthritis: Joint swelling and pain.
Fractures: Broken bones from falls or injury.
9. Sensory System (Eyes, Ears, Nose, Tongue, Skin)
This system helps us see, hear, smell, taste, and feel.
As we age, vision and hearing often decline.
Common eye problems:
Cataracts: Cloudy lens.
Dry eyes: Not enough tears.
Macular degeneration: Loss of central vision.
Glaucoma: High eye pressure leading to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy: Eye damage from diabetes.
Common ear problems:
Hearing loss: From aging or noise.
Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing in ears.
Vertigo: Dizziness or spinning sensation.
