Social Service Designee / Activities Director
Chapter 2

Musculoskeletal Changes with Aging

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Module: Musculoskeletal System Changes in the Elderly

Overview

The musculoskeletal system undergoes numerous changes as individuals age, impacting mobility, strength, balance, and independence. In long-term care settings, it is crucial for Social Service Designees and Activities Directors in Kansas to understand these changes to provide effective, person-centered support. Recognizing the physical limitations associated with aging helps tailor care plans, promote safety, and design inclusive activities.

Key Physiological Changes

  • Decreased bone density (osteopenia/osteoporosis)
  • Reduction in muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia)
  • Joint stiffness and cartilage degeneration (osteoarthritis)
  • Slower reflexes and diminished coordination
  • Increased risk of falls and fractures

Impact on Residents in Long-Term Care

These physical changes can result in a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), which can contribute to feelings of helplessness, depression, and social isolation. It is essential to address both the physical and emotional impact of these changes.

Role of Social Service Designees

SSD Responsibility Application to Musculoskeletal Changes
Assessment & Advocacy Identify residents experiencing pain or limited mobility and advocate for necessary services (e.g., therapy, assistive devices).
Emotional Support Help residents cope with loss of independence due to physical limitations by offering emotional and social resources.
Care Planning Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to create person-centered care plans that account for musculoskeletal limitations.

Role of Activities Directors

AD Responsibility Application to Musculoskeletal Changes
Program Design Develop low-impact, adaptive activities that promote movement without risking injury (e.g., chair yoga, light stretching, tai chi).
Inclusion & Accessibility Ensure that activities are accessible for residents using walkers, wheelchairs, or with joint stiffness or fatigue.
Fall Prevention Coordinate with nursing staff to align activities with fall-prevention strategies and safe physical environments.

Strategies for SSDs and ADs

  • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration with therapy and nursing teams
  • Encourage safe physical activity to maintain strength and flexibility
  • Provide social and emotional support related to physical decline
  • Educate residents and families about safe mobility and activity options

Relevant Kansas Regulation

According to Kansas Administrative Regulations (K.A.R. 28-39-154), social services and activities programs in long-term care facilities must meet the physical, mental, and psychosocial needs of residents. Understanding musculoskeletal limitations is essential to compliance and quality care delivery.

References

  • National Institute on Aging. (2020). Age-Related Changes in the Musculoskeletal System.
  • Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. (2024). Long-Term Care Facility Regulations.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Older Adult Falls Prevention.