Theories on Aging

Erick Sioco Inserto, RN

Theories

Biologic concerned with answering basic questions regarding physiologic processes that occur in all living organisms over time (Hayflick,1996)

Sociologic Focused on the roles and relationships within which individuals engage later in life (Hogstel, 1995)

Theories

Psychologic Influenced by both biology and sociology; address how a person responds to the tasks of his or her age Moral/Spiritual Examine how an individual seeks to explain and validate his or her own existence (Edelman and Mandle, 2003)

BIOLOGIC THEORIES OF AGING

Focus

Focus of biologic theories

1. Deleterious effects leading to decreasing function of the organism 2. Gradually occurring age related changes that are progressive over time 3. Intrinsic changes that can affect all members of the species because of chronologic age

Two Main Divisions

Stochastic
Explain aging as events that occur randomly and accumulate over time
Error Theory Free radical Theory Cross linkage Theory Wear and Tear Theory

Non stochastic
View aging as certain predetermined, timed-phenomena
Programmed theory Immunity Theory

STOCHASTIC THEORIES

 Error catastrophe theory Proposed by Orgel in 1963 Based on the idea that errors can occur in the transcription of the synthesis that do not function at the optimum level. The organisms aging and death are based on these events ( Sonneborne,1979) No current supporting research

Error theory

 Free radicals are by products of metabolism. When by products accumulate, they damage the cell membrane which decreases its efficiency. The body produces antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals Administration of antioxidants postpones the appearance of cardiovascular dse and cancer Free radical theory

 With age, some proteins in the body become cross linked. This does not allow fro normal metabolic activity and waste products accumulate in the cells as the end result the tissues does not function at maximum efficiency

Cross linkages theory

 The wear and tear theory equates humans with machines. It hypothesizes that aging is a result of use

Wear and Tear Theory

NON STOCHASTIC THEORIES

 Normal cells divide in a limited number of times; therefore life expectancy was programmed (Hayflick, 1996)

Programmed Theory

 Changes occur in the immune system, specifically in the Tlymphocytes, as a result of aging. These changes leave the individual more vulnerable to disease (Phipps et.al, 2003)

Immunity Theory

EMERGING
THEORIES

 Examines the interrelated role of the neurologic and endocrine system over the lifespan of the individual . Scientists are studying the roles of the hypothalamus and the hormones (dehydropiandrosterone) DHEA and melatonin in the aging processs

Neuroendcorine Control

 A.k.a caloric restriction Proposes that all organisms have a finite metabolic lifetime and organisms with a higher metabolic rate have shorter lifespan

Metabolic Theory

 Genes play a certain role in the aging process Discovery of telomeres located at the end of the chromosomes, which may function as the cells biologic clocks

DNA related research

SOCIOLOGIC THEORIES OF AGING

 As individuals age, they withdraw from society and society supports this withdrawal Cumming and Henry, 1961

Disengagement Theory

 Individuals need to remain active to age successfully. Activity is necessary to maintain life satisfaction and positive self concept

Activity/developmental task theory

 Individuals will respond to aging in the same way they have responded to previous life events. The same habits, preferences, commitments, and other are maintained in older adulthood

Continuity Theory

 Society consists of groups or cohorts that age collectively. The people and the roles in these cohorts change and influence each other, so does society at large. Therefore a high degree of interdependence exists between older adults and society

Age stratification theory

 Each individual has personal competencies in dealing with the environment. These competencies may change with aging, thus affecting the older persons ability to interrelate with the environment

Personal Environment fit Theory

PSYCHOLOGIC THEORIES OF AGING

 Human motivation is viewed as a hierarchy of needs that are critical to the growth and development of all people. Individuals are viewed as active participants in life, striving for self actualization

Maslows heirerchy of needs

Self actualization

Self Esteem
Love and Belonging needs
Safety and security
Physical and psychological

Physiologic
Oxygen, Fluids,nutrition Body temp. Elimination,shelter,Sex

 Development is viewed as occurring throughout adulthood, with self realization as the goal of personality development . As an individual ages he or she is capable of transforming into a spiritual being

Jungs theory of individualism

 All people experience eight psychosocial stages during the course of a lifetime. Each stage represents a crisis, where the goal is to integrate physical maturation and psychosocial demand. At each stage the person has the opportunity to resolve the crisis. Successful mastery prepares the individual for continued development

Ericksons Eight Stages of Life

 Seven tasks are identified as occurring during Erickson's final two stages The final three tasks identified for old age are:
Ego differentiation vs. work role preoccupation Body transcendence vs body preoocupation Ego trancscendence vs ego preoccupation

Pecks Expansion Theory

 Physical capacity diminishes with age. An individual who ages successfully compensates for these deficits through selection, optimization, and compensation

Selective Optimization with Comnpoensation

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