#26

26) Discuss why the elderly are at risk for impaired skin integrity.
The aging process brings about several changes in the skin and its supporting structures, making the older person more prone to impaired skin integrity. These changes include the following:
*Loss of lean body mass
*Generalized thinning of the epidermis
*Decreased strength and elasticity of the skin due to changes in the collagen fibers of the dermis
*Increased dryness due to a decrease in the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous glands
*Diminished pain perception due to a reduction in the number of cutaneous end organs responsible for the sensation of pressure and light touch.
Kozier pg 858