1. Theories of Aging (Psychosocial)- theories related to socialization and life satisfaction
1.1. Disengagement theory- suggests that it is normal for older people and society to withdraw from each other
1.2. Continuity theory- each individual continues to live and develop as the unique person he or she is. Individuals’ basic personalities do not change, and they cope with aging in ways similar to how they coped with other stages of life.
2. Longevity- Length of Life
2.1. Life span- maximum years one is capable of living
2.2. In 1900, the average length of life in the United States was 47 years. The US Census (2020) projects the average lifespan to be 79.4 years
2.3. Principles of hygiene helped eliminate many illnesses
2.4. Education!!! People who are better educated practice preventive health care, and they may seek treatment earlier in the course of an illness.
2.5. A person’s personality seems to affect the length and quality of life. The optimistic, happy person generally lives longer
2.6. A healthy diet and lifestyle, including stress management and regular exercise, are significant to longevity.
2.7. Nonsmokers usually live longer than smokers do; people who abuse chemicals risk shortening their lives.
2.8. Married people tend to live longer as well.
3. Psychosocial Aspects
3.1. Ego integrity- state of being complete,versus despair.
3.2. Older adults need to feel needed; this contributes to their self-concept and emotional health
3.3. Reminiscence-reviewing one’s life. If individuals accept that they had good lives, then they are satisfied. People who were not successful or satisfied with how they lived life, may find unhappiness.
3.4. Families are important in older adulthood.
3.5. Contact with children is encouraged at least weekly. This is important because the older parent may need assistance with aspects of their daily life.
3.6. Active older adults may even contribute to extended family life by helping with childcare of grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
4. Aging- a continual process of biologic, cognitive, and psychosocial change, begins at conception
4.1. your perception of aging is what influences your definition of being old.
4.2. Individualized aging describes how older adults should be viewed as individuals, not as a stereotypical group.
5. Theories of Aging (Biologic)-theories based on cellular function and body physiology
5.1. Gerontologists- specialists in the study of aging people.They claim that aging is primarily determined by genetics.
5.2. Biological theories (theories based on cellular function and body physiology) States that body cells are programmed to function for a specific length of time after which they break down and die. When too many cells quit functioning, the person eventually dies.
5.3. Free-radical theory- believed that cells are damaged by toxins, the resulting free radicals are unstable. This occurs in the environment, in waste products of metabolism, and from disease.
5.4. Wear-and-tear theory-states that body cells and organs eventually wear out, like machinery.
5.5. Immune system failure theory- the body system loses its ability to protect itself from disease.
5.6. Autoimmune theory is similar; here the body no longer recognizes itself and begins to attack itself and break down, as occurs in some types of arthritis.
6. Physical Changes- happens to everyone
6.1. Benign senescence- normal physical changes of aging; usually begins early in adulthood, but often goes unnoticed until a problem develops.
6.2. Heart and lungs gradually become less efficient. Bones become more fragile, and posture becomes bent.
6.3. Skin is thinner and more fragile; a reduced amount of subcutaneous tissue causes older adults to complain of feeling cold.
6.4. Appetite loss, so smaller appetites/ portions are more common.
6.5. Vision deterioration.
6.6. Hearing deficits start to manifest.
6.7. Changes in the brain also occur with aging. There may be less blood flow. Neurotransmitters may be imbalanced. Changes in sensory and memory loss may occur.
