What is senescence? What are its effects?

The process of aging is called senescence. Senescence affects different people at different rates. In addition, the rates of change in various body processes affected by aging vary among people. Visible signs of aging include the appearance of wrinkled skin, graying and thinning of hair, and stooped or shortened posture from compressed spinal disks. As a person ages, blood vessels, tendons, the skin, and connective tissues lose their elasticity. Hardening of blood vessels and stiffening of joints occur. Bones become brittle and thin; hormonal activity and reflexes slow down. Many of the health problems faced by older adults result from a general decline of the circulatory system. Reduced blood supply impairs mental sharpness, interferes with balance, and reduces the effectiveness of the muscles and body organs. The probability of strokes and heart attacks also increases.
As a person ages, the muscles lose some of their strength, and coordination and endurance become more difficult. There is also a decline in the functioning of organs such as the lungs, the kidneys, and to a lesser extent, the brain. As senescence proceeds, hearing and vision capacities decline, food may not taste the same, the sense of touch may become less acute, and there may be a loss of memory of recent and past events. Fortunately, the degree to which one's body loses its vitality can be influenced by one's lifestyle.