Module 4 Study Questions
The Body & Normal Aging, Part II 

STUDY ACTIVITY 4.1: Think about how age-related changes to the musculoskeletal system affect elders in their home and in the environment. Identify and discuss the tasks required of persons on a day-to-day basis that could be difficult to accomplish if they had muscle weakness, fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness. Some examples to get you thinking may include opening a can or jar, turning a door knob to get into a public bathroom, walking up a flight of stairs to get to a public bathroom, or trying to retrieve food items from high or low shelves in the grocery store. Discuss the impact on quality of life when the physical problems limit hobby or social activities. Develop some ideas of how you would solve or prevent these problems.

STUDY ACTIVITY 4.2: Discuss how the effects of aging on the musculoskeletal system would affect reaction time and coordination. Use some examples of everyday activities that would be impacted and explore possible solutions to the potential problems. The reason the word potential is used is to remind you that age changes to the musculoskeletal system is not inevitable for everyone. There are many elders involved in marathon running activities.

STUDY ACTIVITY 4.3: Discuss how age-related changes to the respiratory system would affect elders in doing their regular activities of daily living. If their breathing is compromised, discuss the changes that could be made in routines (making a meal, cleaning a room) that would conserve their energy level.