Aging of the sensory system: implications for functionality and quality of life

Abstract

Most people, as they age, undergo structural and functional changes in the sensory system which, depending on their severity, may limit independence and performance in activities of daily living and social participation. The aim of this review is to analyze the main sensory system dysfunctions, briefly focusing on the most common changes in each sense and their implications in the lives of older adults. A bibliographic search was conducted during December 2011 and January 2012 in the PubMed, Lilacs and Google Scholar databases, as well as in medical books, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on global or partial sensory aging. Sensory aging may have important psychological and social consequences, affecting intellectual functioning, and studies tend to explore changes in sensory function over time and in behavioral patterns of older adults