Nutritional deficiencies may occur due to poverty or lack of appetite thus contibuting to immunological deficits and the decline in overall function. As we grow older we may become wiser, but all organ systems are diminished in function with the degree being highly variable, dependent on the individual. Loss of height, change in body proportions, dry wrinkled skin, thinning grey hair, changes in body movement, diminished coordination and balance are all general features of the aging human body. Degenerative changes by system are discussed below. There is a loss of elasticity, wrinkles , lines, age spots, in dry, thin, fragile skin .
Nails also become dry and brittle.
A lowered activity of oil and sweat glands, the thinning and the loss of subcutaneous fat causes the skin to loose some of its ability to act as a barrier to prevent dehydration. The hair looses its pigmentation and the scalp hair thins. There is an increase in facial hair and loss of pubic and axillary hair in women and aging males see hair growth in the ears and nose. Most people will loose some sensory ability as they age. Sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch all suffer some loss which may contribute to isolation in the elderly.