CHAP 10 OLD AGES

OLD AGES

Old ages start at age of

65+

Main stereotypes of old aged people

• Unproductive

• Inflexibility or inability to modify beliefs and/or behaviours.

• Senility: old age = illness, neuronal degeneration.

• Serenity: the calm adult in a state of permanent tranquillity (can lead us to neglect the state of mind and is a belief not based on facts).

• Conservatism = belief about traditional …

• Old age is a misfortune and an overvaluation of youth.

• Coexistence → grumpy and cantankerous.

PRO-AGING MOVEMENTS EMERGE

The progressive change of stereotypes about old age internalised in youth and reinforced by social attitudes.

Self-fulfilling prophecy connected to old age

• Unconscious personal stereotypes that affect older people's expectations about their behaviour and act as self-fulfilling prophecies.

• “if they think they are well functioning in an old age, they will be functioning well”

Current efforts to combat ageism

increasing visibility of healthy and active older adults.

How long we will live, until which age will depend on:

• Life expectancy

• Mortality rate 

• Average longevity

• The human lifespan

Life expectancy

• Is the statistically probable length of time that a person born at a specific time and place may live if the currently observed age- specific mortality pattern (mortality rates at each age) is maintained.

• average number of years a person is expected to live, based on when and where they were born, assuming current death rates stay the same.

Mortality rate 

proportion of the total population or of certain age groups that die in a given year.

Average longevity

actual lifespan of members of a population.

The human lifespan

is the longest period that members of our species can live.

Life expectancy in European countries

• 85 years

• high

Life expectancy in Africa

• 50-55 years

• low

Spain and life expectancy

• the second most ageing country in the European Union (EU) in the decade from 2013 to 2023, with a four-year increase in the median age of its citizens.

Data regarded life expectancy

• Ageing population → rapid increase in life expectancy.

• Between 2000 and 2015 → The average life expectancy worldwide has increased by five years.

The reasons of why life expectancy have increased in Western countries:

• Decreased death because of:

• Medical and technological advances

• Reduction in infant mortality rates - birth reduction

• Changes in nutritional habits & lifestyle

• Improvement in levels of material living conditions and education

• Population access to health services

How can we solve the case of increased old population

• WE MUST LEARN TO INCLUDE THE OLD AGE

• NOT TO DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF AGE

• TO ACCOMPANY

• TO UNDERSTAND

Types of ageing

• Normal ageing

• Pathological ageing

• Optimal ageing

• Normal ageing

• Pattern in which there are no illnesses, but there is an increased risk of age-related illnesses that minimise enjoyment and satisfaction.

• It is intrinsic to the organism itself and consists of a deterioration in processes as a result of age.

• It is not considered pathological, although age-related losses do occur.

• Pathological ageing

• This is a pattern of ageing characterised by the presence of severe pathologies and some degree of dependency, with the onset of disabilities that become more pronounced with age and reduce the capacity for enjoyment and satisfaction.

• An important factor in identifying pathological ageing is that it affects people's daily living, cognitive, occupational and social functioning.

Type of ageing which affects people's daily living, cognitive, occupational and social functioning.

Pathological ageing

Successful ageing

• Low likelihood of disease & associated disability

• Active engagement in life

• High cognitive function & physical functionality

Healthy ageing

The process of promoting and maintaining functional capacity

characteristics of Healthy ageing

• Health-related

• Individual's intrinsic capacity

• Environmental characteristics

• Interactions between these and the individual

How can healthy-ageing be achieved?

• by developing healthy habits & lifestyles

• by preventing disease from an early age.

Active Ageing characteristics

• Active participation in society

• E.g economic status, social relationships, cultural, spiritual & civic aspects, & physical activity

• Active role of full participation in society

Main examples of Active Ageing person

• Active contribution through volunteering

• Intergenerational programmes

• Living independently by adapting infrastructure, technology & transport.

Optimal ageing

• Process of ageing in which individuals maximise their well-being & quality of life as they age.

• Implies absence of disease, maintenance of satisfactory physical, mental and social functioning.

• Highlights the importance of being proactive in seeking opportunities to improve quality of life in older age.

• Mix of active ageing & healthy ageing

The idea of OPTIMAL AGEING

• Despite the inevitable changes associated with ageing, people can adopt strategies to adapt and thrive.

Key contributors to optimal ageing

• Living a healthy lifestyle

• Maintaining meaningful social relationships

• Engaging in cognitively stimulating activities

• Managing stress appropriately

SOCIAL MODEL developed by

Paul Baltes & Margret Baltes 

• main objectivity → Understanding how people can adapt to the challenges of ageing.

SOC MODEL

• Selection, Optimisation and Compensation

• Focuses on three interrelated processes that enable individuals to maximise their potential and well-being as they age.

SOC MODEL emphasises

• Successful ageing is not simply about avoiding problems

• It involves an active & adaptive approach to life's changes & challenges.

• Enables individuals to develop resilience & maintain a full & meaningful life as they age.

The three interrelated processes of SOC

• Choice

• Optimisation

• Compensation

Choice

• Involves identifying life goals & priorities.

• As people age, they may face limitations in resources, energy and time.

• Choice involves selecting areas of life on which to focus, such as health, relationships or personal development.

• This allows individuals to focus on goals that are meaningful and achievable.

Example of choice

• a person choose to either spend time watching TV, or go for a walk to their grandchildren → the choice will then determine their ability to function

Optimisation

• refers to the use of resources and skills to achieve selected goals.

• It involves developing and refining the skills and strategies needed to maximise potential in selected areas.

Example of Optimisation

• A person might optimise their health through regular physical activity & proper nutrition, or their social life through participation in community groups.

Compensation

• This process refers to strategies used to cope with losses or limitations that occur with ageing.

• When people face challenges such as declining physical or cognitive abilities, compensation involves finding alternatives or adaptations that allow them to continue to function effectively.

Example of compensation

• someone experiencing memory decline may use reminders or technology to help maintain independence.

Primary ageing

• Gradual and inevitable process of bodily deterioration that begins at an early age & continues over the years, with no possibility of control.

• a biological process which we can not control

 Secondary ageing

• linked to the activities & behaviour of what we can control

• Result of disease, abuse and inactivity with the possibility of control.

AGEING IS

Deleterious

Progressive

Intrinsic

Universal

Why is ageing Deleterious

because there are losses in physiological function.

Why is ageing Progressive

because the losses are gradual.

Why is ageing Intrinsic

because losses cannot be corrected

Why is ageing Universal

because losses occur in all members of a species when the opportunity arises.

Why do we age

Genetic-Programming Theories

Variable-Rate Theories

Genetic-Programming Theories

• The human body ages according to a normal developmental plan built into the genes.

Ageing involves genetic-programming theories such as

• Programmed senescence theory

• Endocrine theory

• Inmune theory

• Evolutionary theory 

Programmed senescence theory

• Specific genes are switched on/off.

• E.g. genetic differences explain ¼ part of the variance in the human life cycle, with minimal influence before age 60 and increasing after that age.

Endocrine theory

• Biological clock acts via genes that control hormonal changes.

• E.g. observed effect on longevity as a result of calorie restriction associated with endocrine activity.

Inmune theory

• Certain genes can cause problems in the immune system, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection, disease & cancer.

Evolutionary theory 

Ageing is an evolutionary trait that allows members of a species to live only long enough to reproduce.

Variable-Rate Theories includes

• Wear-and-tear theory 

• Free-radical theory

• Rate-of-life theory

• Autoimmune theory 

Wear-and-tear theory 

The body ages as a result of accumulated damage to the system at the molecular level.

Free-radical theory

• Free oxygen radical damage causes cells &, eventually, organs to stop functioning.

• E.g. arthritis, muscular dystrophy, cataracts, cancer, late onset diabetes, Parkinson's disease.

Rate-of-life theory

• The body can only do a certain amount of work, and the faster it does it, the more energy it uses & the faster it wears out.

Autoimmune theory 

• The ageing immune system becomes confused & releases antibodies that attack its own body cells

Immune system

• Immune system decrease its function → Ageing + chronic stress

• Increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and decreased likelihood of prevention.

The digestive system

• Remains relatively efficient but has a higher risk of malnutrition in older adults.

Cardiovascular system

Slower, irregular heartbeat and elevated blood pressure.

Sensory and psychomotor functioning

• Changes & problems in vision & hearing.

• Changes in strength, endurance, balance & reaction time

Loss of strength at 70 years of age

• Determines 10-20% less strength

• Steadily decreasing resistance with age.

• Reversible losses 

• Sleep

Examples of Reversible losses in an age of 70 years

• Weight, power or resistance training programmes increased strength, size, muscle mobility in legs, as well as spontaneous physical activity.

Sleep in an age of 70

• They tend to sleep & dream less.

• They have reduced hours of deep sleep (REM).

• They may wake up more easily.

Too little sleep in an age of 70 can cause

• Physical problems related to:

• Different exposure to light, changes in the body's ability to regulate circadian sleep-wake rhythms.

FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES

• may also affect a persons quality of loss in life

FUNCTIONAL CAPACITIES

Physical, cognitive, emotional, and social abilities that allow a person to function independently in their environment.

Activities of Daily Living

• Basic activities of daily living (BADLs)

• Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

• Advanced activities of daily living (AADLs)

Basic activities of daily living (BADLs)

Self-care tasks that are essential for basic functioning and survival:

• Personal hygiene

• Eating

• Mobility

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

Allow a person to live independently in a community:

• Managing finances

• Cooking

• Use transport

Advanced activities of daily living (AADLs)

Social, occupational, & recreational participation:

• Hobbies

• Traveling and social events

• Using technology