week one

1. Overview of Aging

• Aging is a universal concern in science, healthcare, and everyday life.

• People seek to understand the aging process and ways to slow it down.

• Aging presents challenges: declining health, financial strain, social losses, and adapting to new roles.

2. Importance of Aging Theories

• Theories help explain how individuals experience and adapt to aging.

• Understanding these theories aids healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in supporting elderly patients.

• Cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors influence aging experiences.

3. Sociological Theories of Aging

• Activity Theory – Staying engaged leads to a fulfilling life.

• Disengagement Theory – Gradual withdrawal from society allows for reflection.

• Subculture Theory – Older adults form their own social groups due to shared experiences.

• Continuity Theory – Personality remains stable, influencing adaptation to aging.

• Age Stratification Theory – Society categorizes individuals by age, shaping experiences and expectations.

• Person-Environment-Fit Theory – Adaptation to aging depends on personal abilities and environmental demands.

• Gerotranscendence Theory – Aging involves a shift from materialism to spiritual unity with the universe.

4. Psychological Theories of Aging

• Human Needs Theory – Aging is a lifelong process of fulfilling basic needs.

• Individualism Theory – Aging adults seek life meaning while adapting to losses.

• Stages of Personality (Erikson) – The final stage involves reflecting on life accomplishments (integrity vs. despair).

• Life-Course/Life-Span Theory – Life follows predictable stages influenced by roles, relationships, and goals.

• Selective Optimization with Compensation – Aging individuals adapt to losses by selecting, optimizing, and compensating for abilities.

5. Application to Nursing

• Aging theories provide a framework for supporting elderly patients.

• Research in databases (CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, etc.) helps validate and refine these theories for clinical use.

Activity Theory (Havighurst & Albrecht, 1953, 1963)

• Staying active and engaged in social activities leads to greater life satisfaction in old age.

• Critics argue it overlooks physical, financial, and social limitations.

• Later research suggests the quality of activities, especially social engagement, matters more than quantity.

Disengagement Theory (Cumming & Henry, 1961)

• Proposes that aging involves a gradual withdrawal from social roles, benefiting both individuals and society.

• Critics argue this theory ignores individual differences and the importance of meaningful relationships.

• Some studies support disengagement in older age, but societal attitudes toward aging are evolving.

Subculture Theory (Rose, 1965)

• Suggests older adults form their own social groups to cope with societal marginalization.

• Argues that social status in old age is influenced more by health and mobility than by past achievements.

• Lacks strong research support but raises questions about how society can better support aging populations.

Continuity Theory (Havighurst et al., 1968)

• Proposes that personality remains stable throughout life and influences how people adjust to aging.

• Identifies different personality types (e.g., integrated, passive-dependent) that affect adaptation to aging.

• Suggests successful aging depends on maintaining previous roles and adapting to changes.

Each theory offers a different perspective on aging, with later research emphasizing the importance of social engagement, individual differences, and adaptability.

Aging theories offer different perspectives on how individuals adapt over time. Activity Theory (Havighurst & Albrecht, 1953, 1963) suggests that staying socially active enhances life satisfaction, though critics highlight overlooked limitations. Disengagement Theory (Cumming & Henry, 1961) argues that gradual social withdrawal benefits both individuals and society, but it is criticized for ignoring individual differences. Subculture Theory (Rose, 1965) posits that older adults form social groups in response to marginalization, though research support is limited. Continuity Theory (Havighurst et al., 1968) asserts that personality stability influences aging adaptation. Later research emphasizes the role of social engagement, individuality, and adaptability in aging.

Unit looks at changes across the adult lifespan, optimal ageing and positive ageing.

Aging: The Process of Getting Older

As we age, physical appearance changes, along with sleep patterns, cognition, mindset, and overall physical health and fitness.

When Does Aging Start?

Aging can be examined from social, psychological, and biological perspectives.

Theories of Aging

Biological Theories

• Cellular Aging Theory: Cell replication slows down over time.

• Immunology Theory: The immune system becomes defective, leading to increased vulnerability to diseases.

• Wear and Tear Theory: Cells wear out and are unable to repair existing components effectively.

• Free Radical Theory: The accumulation of oxidative damage to our cells results in a loss of function over time.

Psychosocial Theories

• Activity Theory: Older adults who remain engaged in community activities tend to be happier and find greater meaning in life, especially when contributing to society.

• Continuity Theory: People maintain the same personality traits and coping mechanisms as they had when they were younger, helping them preserve a strong sense of self, relationships, and social roles.

• Disengagement Theory: It is considered natural for older adults to withdraw from society as their health declines.

Psychological Theories

• Erikson’s Theory: Describes old age as a time of evaluating one's life. In Stage 8, Integrity vs. Despair, individuals reflect on their past experiences and achievements.

• Selective Optimization with Compensation Theory: Older adults compensate for declining abilities by choosing activities that are easier or more manageable.

• Personality Theory of Aging: Individuals with personality traits that support resilience and adaptability tend to experience more successful aging.