Final answer:
Normal aging changes include a decreased basal metabolic rate, an increase in conditions like osteoporosis, and a decreased tolerance for cold. Homeostatic imbalances make older adults more susceptible to heat stroke and infectious diseases, while instances of orthostatic hypotension may actually increase with age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of normal changes in aging include a decreased basal metabolic rate, osteoporosis, and decreased tolerance for cold. As individuals age, there is a reduction in the efficiency of the body's homeostatic mechanisms, which can make older adults more susceptible to diseases. For example, the homeostatic imbalance contributes to a decreased ability to regulate body temperature, thus increasing the risk for conditions like heat stroke. Furthermore, aging is associated with physical declines such as lost muscle mass, decreased mobility, slower reflexes, and a diminished immune system. This invariably makes older adults more vulnerable to infectious diseases, arthritis, and age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Regarding orthostatic hypotension, this condition, which entails dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing, can actually become more common with age due to various factors, including autonomic failure or diabetes affecting sympathetic nervous system functions. Contrary to the statement in the question, older adults may experience more incidents of orthostatic hypotension rather than less. Erectile function often decreases with age due to various physiological changes and health conditions that accompany aging.