Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the percentage of the population represented by the elderly has grown from 4 percent to over 11 percent. The average age of the population is also increasing. Meeting the health care needs of this aging population presents challenges which require knowledge and understanding of the normal physiologic changes of aging. This program will review age-related changes affecting two very important needs: maintaining adequate oxygenation, and fluid and electrolyte balance. The focus of this program is how these changes affect the delivery of nursing care. | 
