Changes During Aging

As aging is a stage of development that cannot prevented, the question of “can one’s aging be more successful than another?” is posed my many. Researchers continually consider the differences between aging successfully, and aging unsuccessfully. As researchers work to complete their studies, many find a reoccurring basis of successful aging. A basis of successful aging can be set including: physical health disease free, chronic illness free, mental health disease free, among many others. The only problem with this basis is the difference from person to person in terms of what makes aging successful. As individuals age, their mental state is a large predictor of how the person will age. A positive mental state about aging, will have a more positive effect on a person’s aging process. Many factors may influence the positivity of aging, such as negative aging stereotypes and discrimination because of older age. These negative aging stereotypes include but are not limited to: older adults are not as smart, older adults are angry all the time, older adults are bad drivers, older adults are isolated and never socialize. In adult aging and development, having a positive outlook on aging will lead to better mental and physical aging.

Aging is a universal phenomenon and humans are no exception. Gerontology deals with the psychological, social and biological aspects of aging process. A recent study shows that people aged 85 years and older are expected to augment from 5.3 million people to 21 million as the world reach 2050. In today’s world Gerontology has an enormous role to play so that the senior citizens could be analyzed and their needs may be addressed with compassion and empathy.

Late adulthood begins after the age of 65 and it is characterized by the areas of development in psychological aspects, cognitive aspects as well as emotional aspects. Not only have the physical changes begun to demonstrate the deterioration of a person and its bodily functions but also the mental changes begin to occur as soon as the person proceeds towards his culmination of life span. The concept of death is deeply connected with late adulthood as it culminates the life span of an adult which is controlled and programmed naturally. As compared to past centuries, people have acquired a greater life span in recent years thanks to the treatments and diagnosis they receive on time for their certain illnesses. In the past, these facilities were not readily available to every senior adult as they are now. They are surviving longer because of early diagnosis and treatment. If this life expectancy continues for the next generation the life expectancy is expected to increase to as normal as hundred years of age of every newborn child. If an adult is successfully spending a full, non-disabled life after reaching late adulthood he or she is considered to be healthy which must have a contribution of healthy eating and avoiding narcotics and alcohol for a significant amount of time. This must have also imposed a significant effect on the well-being of the person. As much as they affect the physicality of a person, it affects their psychology too. Aging begins in the body irrespective

The elderly population is growing rapidly and now makes up greater than thirteen percent of the United States population. (APA, 1994). With such a record growth, there are different aspects to aging that are still being analyzed. Many may think of reaching late life as a rite of passage, but many face this time with a different view. Through the movie "UP', we are granted an opportunity into view the struggles of an elderly widowed man by the name of Mr. Fredrickson and the challenges in which he faces in his later life. The movie, takes one on a journey through his sorrows and his triumphs until he realizes what the true meaning of happiness is.

As an older individual there are many physical changes that occurs during this stage of life. Older individuals live independently and maintain close relationships with family and friends. Most individual’s personalities remain relatively stable throughout their lives. Depression is less prevalent than depression in younger adults. Becoming older can cause hearing impairment. 37 percent of women and 48 percent of men over the age of 75 have impaired hearing. Also there is a decline in vision. It will start to become difficult to read small print, seeing in sim light, or even finding objects. Some aging adults may even need

Signs of aging will start to show. For some it might be a concern as they might have health worries due to age. This is the time that they might become a grandparent, this will boost their self- esteem. The individual might be coming to terms with dying or may have already have accepted the fact of death.

Research has attempted to explain cognitive aging through a variety of theories. Each of these theories believes that it can encapsulate all the changes that occur in cognition as individual’s age. Some of these cognitive aging theories include executive function, speed of processing, inhibition and frontal lobe theory. This paper will examine each theory along with the supporting research. Furthermore this paper will attempt to draw a conclusion on which theory or explanation best explains cognitive aging.

Obviously, there are some inevitable biological and psychological changes that occur with aging, and because of those changes, older adult may face some

As people age they develop many special needs related to the later period of life. Many elderly people have specific physical needs where adaptations to their home are necessary or where they need specific equipment for self care. Old age also brings new emotional challenges for the elderly person when the family can be useful in helping to meet the persons mental health needs. Senior citizens experience needs in their social life; they also experience the need for activities with other seniors. Health needs also negatively affect the elderly and cause multiple physical problems. Every elderly person experiences needs that are related to each of these areas.

There are two theories of ageing. The disengagement theory is when the elderly unfortunately start to give up with activities or social life. They become withdrawn from society. This is when you disengage from any way of contact or interaction. The reason for disengagement theory may be because physical functions deteriorate. There are three phases of disengagement theory. These are shrinkage of life space is when you are not working or have no contact with friends and family. You don’t get to meet new people. You decide not to take up any hobbies or activities. The second phase is increased individuality. This is when you become independent and what others do does not matter to you. The third phase is acceptance. You start to accept

Social life and family supports are key components in a person’s life. Family support and social engagement keeps the mind engaged and person dwells upon the emotional connection he/she develops. Elderly people who tend be more socially active in their old age are less likely to develop dementia as compared to those that isolate themselves (ref). Having family support is a key social part in an elderly’s life which not only gives them emotional support but also practical support. The family can look after the elderly and can

Later adulthood is the time in life when changes in marriage, families, and peer relationships are affected the most by the loss of someone close to that person. “Most people 70 years of age or older are widowed, divorced, or single” (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010, p.619). Losing a spouse or close friend can create a sense of loneliness, which causes depression, anxiety and the emptiness feeling can become overwhelming. Depression also leads to psychological effects that will deteriorate a person’s health causing the chance for a terminal disease to become much higher. The weaker appearance of older adults causes family and remaining peers to step up in the role of making sure the person’s wellbeing is being met. (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Living accommodations and healthcare needs

There are also cognitive changes during middle adulthood. There is a mixed pattern of positive and negative changes in cognitive abilities. Processing speed starts to decrease during this time period however crystallized thought does not decline until older age (pg. 456). Working memory begins to decline however semantic memory continues to increase as we learning throughout our older years (ph 456). Usually most memory decline is during older age and can be attributed to Alzheimer’s disease of dementia.

Also spelled as ageing, this is generally the process of becoming old. It is the in a way the opposite of immortality. In a broader aspect, it may occur to single cells in an organism also called cellular senescence or the population of a species, known as population ageing. This process primarily affects human beings and fungi. In humans, it signifies the accumulation of various changes which occur over time. The changes include physical, social and psychological changes.

“The skin is the largest, most visible, and most complicated of the body systems. In an average adult, it covers more than 3,000 square inches and weighs about six pounds. It is served by one third of all the blood circulating the body” (Saxon, 2010, p. 17).The skin has many functions in which one needs in order to stay healthy and living. The skin protects the underlying tissues and structures of one’s body, and prevents them from drying or obtaining an excessive loss of water and electrolytes. It also regulates the temperatures in the body through mechanisms such as sweating and shivering. Acting as a physical, chemical, and biological barrier, the skin protects from harmful bacteria and foreign substances contacting with the body. Most importantly,