AGEING

 

Aging is one of the most complex and poorly understood phenomena known in science, despite the fact that it represents one of the most significant challenges of human longevity. Aging is a universal phenomenon; every single multicellular organism, from the simple bacterium to the complex human being, experiences it. Nevertheless, aging is a very complex and dynamic process. It encompasses a vast range of phenomena, which we have no clue as to how they interrelate, their mutual influence on one another, the interplay between intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the influence of the environment, and how this process impacts the organism. Thus, the study of aging is a complex and very difficult task, but it is an urgent and necessary challenge.

Ageing or aging is the process of becoming older or we can say that it is the process in which structural and functional changes accumulate in an organism as a result of the passage of time. The changes manifest as a decline from the organism's peak fertility and physiological functions until death. The understanding of aging is crucial for developing efficient measures to increase human healthspan and lifespan. Most humans will never reach healthy old age, so the study of human aging will remain a major focus in biology.

The Study of Aging: Historical Perspective

Until the middle of the 19^th century, only two stages of human growth and development were identified: childhood and adulthood.

In many ways, children were treated like small adults. No special attention was given to them or to their needs. Families had to produce many children to ensure that a few would survive and reach adulthood. In turn, children were expected to contribute to the family’s survival. Little or no concern was given to those characteristics and behaviours that set one child apart from another.

Until recently, society also viewed adults of all ages as one another. Once you become an adult, you remain an adult. Perhaps society had little idea that older adults were different from younger adults, but it was not too concerned with these differences because very few people lived to old age. Additionally, physical, and developmental changes during adulthood are more subtle than during childhood; Therefore, little attention was paid to these changes.

By the 1960s, sociologists, psychologists, and health care providers focused their attention on meeting the needs of the typical or average adult: people aged 20 to 65. This group was the largest and most economically productive section of the population; They were raising families, working, and contributing to the economy. Only a small percentage of the population lived beyond age 65. Disability, illness, and early death were accepted as natural and unavoidable.

As time passed, Society began to view children differently. There are significant differences between children of different ages, and children’s needs change as they develop. Childhood is now divided into substages - infant, toddler, preschool, school age, and adolescence. Each stage is associated with unique challenges related to the individual child’s stage of growth and development. This classification method is now accepted as logical and necessary, because the substages are related to obvious physical changes or to significant life events.

In the late 1960s, research began to indicate that adults of all ages are not the same. At the same time, the focus of health care shifted from illness to wellness. Disability and disease were no longer considered unavoidable parts of aging. Increased medical knowledge, improved preventive health practices, and technologic advances helped more people live longer, healthier lives. Older adults now constitute a significant group in society, and interest in the study of aging is increasing. The study of aging will be a major area of attention for years to come.

Now, A man's life is normally divided into five main stages namely infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. In each of these stages an individual has to find himself in different situations and face different problems. The old age also has its own problems. In old age physical strength deteriorates, mental stability diminishes etc.

Overview of Aging

·         Word “Old” defines as “having lived or existed for a long time.”

·         The meaning of old is highly subjective; to a great degree, it depends on how old we ourselves are.

·         Most people don’t mind growing older particularly if they are relatively healthy

·         A recent study reveals that –

o   People younger than 30 years view those older than 63 as “getting older.”

o   People 65 years of age and older do not think people are “getting older” until they are 75.

·         Aging: a continual process of biologic, cognitive, and psychosocial change that begins at conception.

·         It can be described chronologically, physiologically, and functionally.

o   Chronologic age, the number of years a person has lived

o   Many people who have lived a long time –

§  remain functionally and physiologically young,

§  remain physically fit and stay mentally active,

§  productive members of society.

o   Others are chronologically young but physically or functionally old.

·         According to chronologic age, Categorizing the Aging Population –

AGE (YEARS)	CATEGORY
55 to 64	Older	Or	Young-old*
65 to 74	Elderly	Or	Young-old
75 to 84	Aged	Or	Middle-old
85 and older	Extremely aged	Or	Old-old

* 60-74 Young-old

Ageing Process

·         Ageing is an inevitable physiological phenomenon, old age is not, in itself, a disease, but is a normal part of the human life span.

·         It is a normal, universal, progressive, irreversible process.

·         Factors Influence Ageing Process - Various hereditary & environmental factors affect the ageing

o   Hereditary Factors

§  Some families live longer than others, given the same environmental circumstances.

§  This is related with genetic factors. This gene is not only the ageing gene but could be also a cancer gene.

o   Environmental Factors

§  Bourlier (1973), has given three categories of environmental factors that can influence the rate of ageing in man.

§  Abiotic Factors - These are the physical and chemical components of the environment such as:

·         Climatic influences,

·         Pollutants and

·         Radiation.

§  Biotic Factors - These result from the influences of the thousands of living organisms which share man's environment such as

·         pathogens,

·         parasites and

·         the quality and availability of food products.

§  Socio-Economic Factors - Adverse living and working conditions can increase the 'wear and tear' tissues. Stressful conditions accelerate the process of ageing.

·         Stress factors are more prevalent in a modern industrialized society.

·         Income and poverty; and

·         Chronic health problems also affect ageing.

Word “Geriatrics”

·         Dr. Ignatz Leo Nascher, the father of modern geriatrics

o   coined the term "geriatrics" in 1909.

o   The term geriatric comes from the Greek words “geras,” meaning old age, and “iatro,” meaning "healer".

·         Thus, geriatrics is the medical specialty that deals with the physiology of aging and with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting older adults.

·         Geriatrics, by definition, focuses on abnormal conditions and the medical treatment of these conditions.

·         The ancient Indian system of medicine Ayurveda has mentioned about the Jara Rasayana (geriatrics).

o   The term "geria" is very close to the Sanskrit word "jara".

o   "Rasayana" is defined as a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention of premature ageing, management of diseases and especially the management of diseases related to old age.

Word “Gerontology”

·         The term ‘gerontology’ comes from the Greek words “gero,” meaning related to old age, and “ology,” meaning the study of.

·         Thus, gerontology is the study of all aspects of the aging process, including the clinical, psychologic, economic, and sociologic problems of older adults and the consequences of these problems for older adults and society.

·         Gerontology affects nursing, health care, and all areas of our society—including housing, education, business, and politics.

Word “Gerontics, or Gerontic Nursing”

·         The term ‘gerontics, or gerontic nursing’, was coined by Gunter and Estes in 1979

·         Gerontic Nursing define the nursing care and the service provided to older adults. It encompasses a holistic view of aging with the goal of increasing health, providing comfort, and caring for older adult needs.

·         Geriatric Nursing- "The adaptation of professional nursing knowledge, skills and attitude in recognizing and meeting the nursing, health & emotional needs of an aging population."

Myths & Realities of Aging

S. No.	Myths	Reality
1	Old age is a disease.	It is a normal physiological process.
2	Senility is a Normal Part of Aging	Senility, or dementia is not normal. There are a variety of causes of dementia.
3	Most old people are alone and lonely.	This is not true at all!  Friends and family are very important in the lives of older adults.
4	Most old people are in poor Health.	More than 2/3 of people over 65 years of age told researchers that they are in good, very good, or excellent health.
5	Most older adults live in nursing homes.	Only about 5% of older adults live in nursing homes.
6	Most old people have no interest in or capacity for sexual relations.	Although sexual activity may be less frequent the ability to perform but not depends on the ageing.
7	Older adults don't care how they look	They want to be attractive to others.
8	Old people cannot learn complex new skills	Are capable of learning new things, but the speed with which they process information slows with age.
9	“Old people have ‘old ways’ of thinking.”	Every individual either young or old has their own unique thoughts and feelings about society.
10	Elderly people are less adaptable to change.	May be a bit slower to adapt, they are certainly capable of change.

References

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13. Salzman, Brooke. (2006). Myths and Realities of Aging. Care management journals : Journal of case management ; The journal of long term home health care. 7. 141-50. 10.1891/cmj-v7i3a006. [Internet]. [cited 2020 Sep 20]; Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6587681_Myths_and_Realities_of_Aging

14. 10 Myths about Aging [Internet]. [cited 2020 Sep 20]. Available from: https://www.fellowshipsquareseniorliving.org/fellowship-square-blog/posts/2017/10/9/10-myths-about-aging/