The Ageing Process And Its Implications Flashcards
Define Ageing
the time-related deterioration of the physiological functions necessary for survival and fertility.
Reasons for increase in the aging population
Breakthroughs in healthcare = increased life expectancy.
People choosing to have smaller families.
Falling birth rates:
Later marriages
Better education about contraceptives.
Increased number of women working
Geriatrics
branch of medicine which deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases specific to old age”.
geriatrics as “that branch of medicine which deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases specific to old age”.
Classification of aging
Objective
Subjective
Functionally
Concept of Aging
Chronologic aging
Biologic aging
Psychological aging
Social aging
Cognitive aging
What is chronological age
The actual amount of time a person has been alive
What is biological age/physiological age
The gradual deterioration of function characteristics of an individual as he advances in age
Psychological Age
Psychological changes including those involving mental functioning and personality that occurs as humans age
Social aging
Changes is roles and relationship both within their network of family and friends and in formal organizations such as workplace and house of worship
Cognitive Age
The gradual longitudinal changes in cognitive fxn that describes the aging process
Theories of Aging
Programmed Theory
Damage of error theory
Example of programmed theory
Endocrine theory
Program senescence theory
Immunological theory
Examples of Damage of error theory
Living Theory
Free radical theory
Cross-linking theory
Theory of error catastrophe
Somatic Mutation theory
Wear and tear theory
Other theories
Mitochondrial decline theory
Membrane theory aging
What a age-related changes
Physical changes related to normal aging are not disease
Changes in the sensory system -Hearing
Inability to hear high frequency sounds
Leads to social isolation
Visual changes in aging
Prebyopsis
Decrease ability to see close objects
Smaller pupil
Yellowness of the lens causes red and green color blindness
Decrease night vision
Smell and taste
Usually minor until 70. Due to
Loneliness at meals
Unwilling/unable to cook
Dental problems
Financial barriers
Brain and CNS
Till 80
Lag time of neuron transmission - slowness
2% decrease in brain volume
Changes in sleep cycle -
Intellectual functions/stored memory increases with age
Muscles and bones
Loss of elasticity of connective tissue causes pain and impairment
GIT
Decline number of gastric cells results in d. HCL d vitB12
D gastric and pancreatic enz d iron calcium and folic acid.
Hepatic blow flow, size and wt d
Constipation
Skin Epidermis
Epidermis cells d 10%, thin
Rete-ridges of the dermal-epidermal jxn flatten out.
Wrinkles and sag
Less collage and elastin
D sebaceous and sweat glands
Toes and nails thicker and more difficult to cut + yellowish
Heart/Circulatory system
Lipofuscin
Thicken of valves
Decrease pacemakers
Increase heart size
Blood vessels
Arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis
HBP
Orthostatic Hyoptension due to baro receptor reduced sensitivity
Immune system
Decrease efficacy
Increase autoimmune diseases
Thymus atrophies
Severe infection
Respiratory System
Less oxygen delivered to the bloodstream and reduced rate of blood flow.
Number of cilia and level of activity reduces.
Glandular cells reduces
Cough reflex is blunted
D secretory IgA in nose and lungs reduce ability to fight virus
Implications of Aging
Health
Social
Legal
Economic
Health implications of aging
Multiple illness
Increased healthcare expenditures
Legal implications of aging
Sexual abuse
Financial abuse
Neglect
Emotional Abuse
Social implications of elderly
Social Isolation
Loneliness
Change in roles in the social circle
Rejection loss of purpose
Loss of Independence
Economic implications of Aging
Reduction of economic income
Economic cost per reduction in work force
