THE AGING PROCESS AS A TRAUMA AGENT

Abstract

The present work aims to identify the origin of the trauma suffered by the elderly as well as the associated risk factors and the main consequences. Today’s society is inserted in a plot of great social transformations, one of them being the phenomenon known as demographic transition. This, in turn, consists in reducing fertility and mortality rates, reflecting the change in the postmodern social body, formerly young, and moving towards an increasing contingent of the elderly. It is noteworthy that the geriatric and gerontological literature considers an elderly person from 65 years of age. It is noticed that the decrease in physiological reserve in the elderly may be directly related to physical trauma in this population. Changes related to the central nervous system as well as the musculoskeletal system may influence the increased incidence of trauma in the elderly. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the changes related to aging and the risk factors associated with trauma in order to identify and intervene in the main consequences of trauma in the elderly.