During a skin assessment of a client in later adulthood, which finding is expected?

In individuals in later adulthood, the skin undergoes various changes due to aging. One common finding is the loss of hair on the lower legs, which can be attributed to decreased circulation and changes in hormone levels. This is a natural part of the aging process, where hair follicles may become less active, leading to thinning or loss of hair in certain areas.

Thick skin on the lower legs is not typically expected; instead, skin often becomes thinner over time. Bounding dorsalis pedis pulses might suggest vascular issues rather than typical aging changes, while thin, ridged toenails can indicate poor nutrition or other health issues, though they are not as specifically associated with the aging process as hair loss. Thus, the presence of hair loss on the lower legs is a hallmark finding that aligns with normal age-related changes.