Theories of aging

Theories of aging

1. THEORIES OF AGING

2. G erontology (the study of the aging process) G eriatrics (the branch of clinical medicine specializing in problems of the elderly) G eropsychiatry (the branch of clinical medicine specializing in psychopathology of the elderly population)

3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES At the end of the class students will be able to acquire adequate knowledge regarding theories of aging, and will be able to apply the knowledge in the professional area with positive attitude.

4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES At the end of the class students will be able to Define Aging Describe the classifications of old age List down the epidemiological statistics of old age persons Explain the theories of aging

5. Aging “Process of growing old” A ging is a pattern of life changes that occurs as one grows older.

6. OLD AGE Classification It is the last stage in the life processes of an individual Young old : 60 through74 years Middle old : 75 through 84 years Old old : 85 years and older.  

7. Epidemiological statistics 1980 - 25.5 million. 2016 - 43.1 million. 2040 – expected to 79.9 million

8. THEORIES OF AGING

9. Biological theories Genetic Theory Wear-and-Tear Theory Environmental Theory Immunity Theory Neuroendocrine Theory P hysical process of aging, including molecular and cellular changes in the major organ systems and the body’s ability to function adequately and resist disease.

10. 1) Genetic Theory According to genetic theory, aging is an involuntarily inherited process that operates over time to alter cellular or tissue structures. This theory suggests that life span and longevity changes are predetermined.

11. 2) Wear-and-Tear Theory Body is similar to a machine, which loses function when its parts wear out. As people age, their cells, tissues and organs are damaged by internal or external stressors.  The effects of  aging  are caused by progressive damage to cells and body systems over time. Essentially, our bodies "wear out" due to use. Once they wear out, they can no longer function correctly.

12. Free radicals , which are the waste products of metabolism, accumulate and cause damage to important biological structures. According to this theory, these free radicals cause DNA damage, cross-linkage of collagen, and the accumulation of age pigments

13. 3) Environmental Theory Environmental factors This theory was proposed by LOWTON 1977 I ndustrial carcinogens Sunlight Trauma Infection

14. 4) Immunity Theory AGE DIMINISHED IMMUNE SYSTEM DECREASE THE RATE OF T- LYMPHOCYTES DECREASE BODY DEFENCE ANGAINST BACTERIA INCRESE AUTOIMMUNE RESPONSE AGING

15. 5) Neuroendocrine Theory Proposes that changes in hormone production result in organism’s decline When we are young, our hormones work together to regulate many bodily functions, including our responses to heat and cold, our life experiences and our sexual activity Hormones are vital for repairing and regulating our bodily functions, and when aging causes a drop in hormone production, it causes a decline in our body's ability to repair and regulate itself

16. PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES F ocus on social and psychological changes that accompany advancing age

17. TYPES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES Personality Theory Developmental Task Theory Disengagement Theory Activity Theory Continuity Theory

18. 1) PERSONALITY THEORY Personality theories address aspects of psychological growth without delineating specific tasks or expectations of older adults   In a classic study by Reichard , Livson , and Peterson (1962), the personalities of older men were classified into five major categories according to their patterns of adjustment to aging

19. Mature men Rocking chair Armored men Angry men Self-haters

20. 1. Mature men - are considered well-balanced persons who maintain close personal relationships.  2. Rocking chair- personalities are found in passive Disposition. 3. Armored men have well-integrated defence mechanisms, which serve as adequate protection.

21. 4. Angry men are bitter about life, themselves, and other people. 5. Self-haters are similar to angry men, except that most of their animosity is turned inward on themselves

22. Mature R ocking chair A rmored Healthy A djusted individuals Angry S elf hater less successful in aging

23. 2) Developmental Task Theory Developmental tasks - The activities and challenges that one must accomplish at specific stages in life to achieve successful aging . P rimary task of old age, as being able to see one’s life as having been lived with integrity ( Erikson (1963) A bsence of achieving that sense of having lived well, the older adult is at risk for becoming preoccupied with feelings of regret or despair.

24. 3) Disengagement Theory Engagement means to be involved with people and activities. Disengagement means withdraw from engagement. O lder people will need to withdraw from social contact and will disengage because of reduced health and loss of social opportunities.

25. It is necessary for the proper functioning of a growing society . The benefit to the older adult is thought to be in providing time for reflecting on life accomplishment . The benefit to society is thought to be an orderly transfer of power from old to Young.

26. 4) Activity Theory T he way to age successfully is to stay active . S adock and Sadock suggested that social integration is the prime factor in determining psychosocial adaptation in later life . This theory holds that the maintenance of activities is important to most people as a basis for deriving and sustaining satisfaction, self-esteem and health.

27. 5) Continuity Theory The  continuity theory  of normal  aging  states that older adults will usually maintain the same activities ,  behaviors ,  relationships  as they did in their earlier years of life . According to this  theory , older adults try to maintain this continuity of lifestyle by adapting strategies that are connected to their past experiences

28. The theory deals with the internal structure and the external structure of continuity to describe how people adapt to their situation and set their goals. The internal structure of an individual such as  personality ,  ideas , and  beliefs  remain constant throughout the life course. This provides the individual a way to make future decisions based on their internal foundation of the past. The external structure of an individual such as  relationships  and  social roles  provides a support for maintaining a stable  self-concept  and lifestyle.

29. CONCLUTION Ageing is a universal, intrinsic, progressive and deleterious process.

30. REFERENCE Towsand MC. Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing. 3 rd edition. Philadelphia; F A Davis company publication.2005 Ahuja N, Vyas JN. Textbook of postgraduate psychiatry. Second edition. Jaypee publication. 2013. Sreevani R. A guide to mental health and psychiatric nursing. 3 rd edition. New Delhi: Jaypee brother medical publication.2010. Raju S M, Raju B. Psychiatry and mental health nursing. Bangaluru ; Jay pee brothers medical publications.2010 Gupta R K. Mental health nursing. Third edition. Bikrampura;S vikas & company medical publications. 2016