Older patients are at risk for which of the following conditions?

Older patients are at risk for decreased bone density due to several age-related factors. As people age, their bodies gradually lose bone mass and density, a process that can lead to conditions such as osteoporosis. This loss is influenced by hormonal changes, particularly in postmenopausal women where estrogen levels drop significantly, as well as by decreased calcium and vitamin D absorption. Consequently, older adults may experience an increased risk of fractures and other bone-related injuries.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the typical health concerns faced by older individuals. Increased gastric motility is generally not a characteristic of aging; in fact, older adults often experience decreased gastric motility. Improved kidney function is also unlikely, as kidney function generally declines with age. Finally, vision acuity tends to decrease rather than improve, with common issues such as presbyopia and cataracts becoming more prevalent in older populations. Understanding these age-related changes is critical for providing appropriate care and interventions for older patients.