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College aantekeningen Gerontology
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Bekijk van alle diseases ook de DSM VWeek 1
‘De trap van ouderdom’.
The baby boom generation is now in the older age group. So the population is aging.
Definitions of age:
- Chronological age= measure in units of time that have elapsed since birth.
- Biological age= where people stand relative to the number of years they will live.
This is very speculative.
- Functional age= person’s competence in carrying out specific tasks.
- Psychological age= refers to how well a person adapts to changing conditions.
- Social age= views held by most members of society about what individuals in a
particular chronological age group should do and how they should behave.
Perspectives on aging process
- Normative aging= what is considered a usual, normal or average outcome
- Successful aging= what is considered an ideal rather than average outcome
- Positive aging= the ability to find happiness and well-being even in the face of
physical and/or psychological challenges.
Two theoretical models of aging
- The selective optimization with compensation model of aging
Individuals engage in adaptation throughout their lives. They are capable of learning
and changing and calling upon extra (reserve) capacity that they might not need to
use under ordinary circumstances.
1. Antecedent conditions → 2. processes → 3. outcome
1. life development as specialized and age-graded adaptation, reduction in
general capacity, losses in specific functions.
2. selection, optimization, compensation.
3. reduced and transformed but effective live
- The ecological model of aging
, The interaction between a person's competence and environment results in some
level of adaptation. Measured in a person’s emotional well-being.
The biology of aging is very gradual(happens slowly) and cumulative (ads up). There is a
peak in early adulthood and then starts to decline. The rate of decline differs strongly
between individuals. Aging in the absence of any disease is rare, the likelihood of many
diseases increases with age. Two terms that are important to know are morbidity, which
refers to illness and disease. And mortality, which refers to death.
The life span is now at the max of 120 years. This has stayed the same over time. But life
expectancy on the other hand, goes up. That is the average number of years that
individuals in a particular birth cohort can be expected to live.
Theories of biology of aging:
- primary aging
Unavoidable (inevitable) biological process that affects all members of a species, so
universal. Is set in motion early in life and progresses gradually over time.
- programmed theories
Consider aging to be under the control of a genetically based blueprint.
- time clock theory= cells from human infants doubled approximately
50 times, whereas cells from a mouse doubled 10-15 times. Life span
is controlled by a genetically determined time clock at cellular level.
Has to do with telomeres.
- immune theory= immune system is programmed to maintain its
efficiency for a certain amount of time, after which it starts to decline.
Insufficient antibodies and inferior antibodies. This is linked to cancer.
- evolutionary theory= members of species are genetically
programmed to bear and rear their young. Once they reproduce and
raise their offspring to independence, they have fulfilled their service in
perpetuating the species. Once excess of energy is used up,
susceptibility to disease increases.
- secondary aging
Experienced by most, but not necessarily all members of a species. Resulting from
hostile environmental influences.
, - stochastic theories
Focus on random damage to our vital systems that occurs with the process of
aging.
- error theory= errors occur at cellular level resulting in the production
of faulty molecules. Due to exposure to environmental factors. Cells
have repair mechanisms, but may not keep up with damage created
by faulty molecules. So over time the damage builds up.
- wear and tear theory= we begin life with a fixed amount of
physiological energy. If we expend it quickly, aging begins early and
proceeds rapidly. Can we retard aging by conserving energy? This
theory is not strongly supported.
- stress theory= sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal axis are involved in our stress reactions. Stress
triggers physiological activation that results in secretion of stress-
related hormones (glucocorticoids). Stress-related damage to the
biological system can accelerate the aging process.
Many physical changes occur as people grow older . They can interfere with adequate
functioning, but this is not necessarily the case. Some older adults are more prone to chronic
diseases than others. Important to screen for risk factors.
Causes of mortality: ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
lower respiratory infections, neonatal conditions, trachea, bronchus, lung cancers,
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diarrhoeal diseases, diabetes mellitus, kidney
disease.
Summary→
● Proportion of older people is on the increase.
● Older people can compensate for and adopt the aging related changes (including
chronic diseases) for a long time.
● Biology aging: result of the interaction between genetic and environmental
influences.
● Aging is accompanied by a lot of physical changes: skin and hair, musculoskeletal
system and cardiovascular system.
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