Menopause is the gateway into the most sacred time of a woman's existence on earth, a time when she can at last discover the deeper meanings she has sought. Vision , stamina, and the ability to concentrate may be altered only mildly over the years. Older hearts that are free of coronary disease have a cardiac output comparable to that of younger hearts. Height tends to shrink due partly to the change in bone structure, which is more severe in women than men. Oxygen consumption declines because of the loss of muscle tissue.
Personality remains remarkably stable throughout life.
People who are cheerful and optimistic when young usually remain so throughout life, as do those who are grouchy and mean-spirited. The nervous system changes little with age. Older and younger people are nearly equal in their ability to walk a straight line, stand on one leg, walk on their heels, gaze upward, or feel sensation in their hands. Kidney function decreases with age. But many individuals maintain adequate kidney function as they get older.