Concepts of Aging & Demographics

Question 1

What is aging?

Answer 1

a continuous, life-long process of growing older that starts right when born

Question 2

What are the two view points of successful aging?

Answer 2

Traditional view; good physica; health, independence, functional ability, longevity. Contemporary view; self-mastery, social life, attainment of goasl, optimism, as well as good phys health (free from diability and disease)

Question 3

What is heterogeneity of aging?

Answer 3

When OA’s get more and more different from each other as they get older due to heredity factors, lifestyle choices, and experience of illness and functional disability and health.

Question 4

What is Gerontology?

Answer 4

study of aging and age-related issues. the biopsychosocial framework that affects how we age.

Question 5

What is geriatrics?

Answer 5

the medical term used for studying =, diagnosing, and treatment of OA’s

Question 6

Difference btwn chronological, biologicla and fxnl age?

Answer 6

Chronological age is the number of years old you are. Functional age is what your fxnl abilities are (ability to get up stairs). Biological age is how old your cells are affected by health choices (epigenetics-expression of genes)

Question 7

Difference btwn lifespan and healthspan?

Answer 7

Lifespan is the total number of years you’ve been alive. Healthspan is the total number of years you’ve been healthy.

Question 8

What is life expectancy, and its basis?

Answer 8

life expectancy is how long you’re expected to live for. you’re in a cohort based on when and where you were born that predicts how long youll live. Cohort is affected by global issues (covid, war, etc) as well as specific demographic things like income)

Question 9

What are some take aways from graphs looking at M and F aging, as well as increases in OA pop overtime, and life expectancy?

Answer 9

there are now more OA’s than children, as well there are geographical diff’s within canada of amount of OA’s (less in territories) and how long ppl are living for. SO the avg age is increasing overtime. Females live longer, can be bc theyre less likely to take risks, or bc of high male suicide rate, cancer, CD, etc.

Question 10

What are the leading causes of death?

Answer 10

cancer, accidents, alzheimers, influanza and pneumonia, heart diseases, chronic lower resp dieseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus.

Question 11

ADL vs IADL? and their relation with fxnl health

Answer 11

Activities of daily living are things like brushing your teeth, eating, showering, walking. Instrumental activities of daily living are things like driving, cooking, paying bills, working out. as we age our fxnl health decreases which means we have less ability to do all of these activities.

Question 12

What are the 14 factors affecting longevity?

Answer 12

1. heredity 2. genetic and acquired diseases 3. alcohol 4. tobacco use 5. physical activity 6. use of health care 7. culture 8. physical enviro 9. stress management 10. gender 11. socio-economic status 12. marital status 13. social support 14. obesity

Question 13

What is the heredity factor?

Answer 13

your parents longevity usually is relative to your life expectancy bc you inherit these things from parents. related to genes and lifestyle.

Question 14

What is the gender factor?

Answer 14

females tend to live longer (not just in humans) then men. can be due to riskier lifestyles, riskier occupations, less likely to seek medical care, higher incidence of suicude.

Question 15

What are the cultural factors?

Answer 15

diet, traditional vs modern medicine, where you live so more developed countries have a longer lifespan can be due to lack of war, public health measures.

Question 16

What is the tobacco use factor?

Answer 16

smoking is associated with lung cancer and heart disease. also a risk with second hand smoke.

Question 17

What is the genetic and acquired diseases factor?

Answer 17

diseases shorten longevity. genetic; hemophilia, cystic fibrosis. acquired; cancer, heart and kidney disease.

Question 18

What is the obesity factor?

Answer 18

obesity associated with decreased longevity. could be due to association with life threatening diseases.

Question 19

What is the stress management factor?

Answer 19

higher stress decreases life span, also negative outlook on life is bad. stress increases bp and corisol lvls, as well as inflammation ans illness. can also cause poor sleep, these all have negative affects on health.

Question 20

What is the Physical activity factor?

Answer 20

being PA is good for strengthening the heart incresaing mobility bone strength mm strength, etc. improves sleep, relieves stress.

Question 20

What is the alcohol use factor?

Answer 20

the more alcohol consumed the worse for health and longevity. regular drinking takes off 7 years, mod drinking was actually 2 plus years but the affects were offset by the increase in cancer. drinking and smoking was 10 years off life. higher alc consumption is associated with increased risk of aneurysms, stroke, heart failure and death.

Question 21

What is the marital status factor?

Answer 21

ppl married tend to have longer lifespans. but study found that single women were the appiest pop. so depends as these are just associations. could be related to having social support. depends on the nature and health of the relationship as well.

Question 22

What is the social support factor?

Answer 22

can include material and emotional support from friends and family. once again depends on the relationships ie toxic bad

Question 23

What is the socio-economic factor?

Answer 23

higher lvls are associated with more advantages, choices and longer life. includes high income, educational attainment, social status. both high and low paying jobs can be equally stressful, however ppl with money dont have problems getting healthcare.

Question 24

What is the physical environment factor?

Answer 24

amount of pollution, radiation. access to food and water.

Question 25

What is the use of medical care factor?

Answer 25

likelihood to go to the dr. related to early detection of disesases, more cautious lifestyle, proactive lifestyle.

Question 26

What are the 3 psychosocial theories? Explain each one.

Answer 26

1. Disengagement theory; as we age and our fxnl health declines we slowly start to disengage from society to allow younger workers o take our place. so intentionally removing themselves from social roles. 2. Activity theory; older adults are happier and healthier when they continue being engaged by doing activities, so replacing old ones with new ones. 3. Continuity theory; ppl remain consistent in how they live despite changes in mental, physical and social status.

Question 27

What is stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination?

Answer 27

stereotyping is when we make assumptions of a groups behaviours. Prejudice is when we have negative beliefs/judgments and bias towards ppl that are not based on fact. Discrimination is when we treat someone unfairly and act on our prejudice

Question 28

What is ageism?

Answer 28

discrimination of older adults based on stereotypes and prejudices that are untrue, just bc of their age. (can be implicit ie we dont recognize it)