The Older Adult

8. Respiratory:
1. Efficiency reduced with age.
2. Greater residual air in lungs after expiration.
3. Decreased vital capacity.
4. Weaker expiratory muscles-decreased capacity to cough.
5. Decreased ciliary activity-stasis of secretions-susceptibility to infections.
6. Oxygen debt in the muscles-dyspnea on exertion.
7. Reduced chest wall compliance.