Theories of Aging

Prepared by: Sasan C. Gabule, RN, MN

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the session, the students are
expected to:

1. Understand the theories of aging.

2. Compare the similarities and differences
between biological and psychosocial
theories.
3. Analyze the process of aging using a biological
and a psychosocial perspective
4. Remember the rationale for using multiple
theories of aging to describe the complex
phenomenon of aging.
Is There a Fountain of Youth?
What is Aging?
Senescence
 Life Expectancy

Some Factors Influencing Your Life Expectancy

Heredity
Disease Processes
Medical Treatment
Lifestyle Choices
Nutrition
 Theories of Aging

All aging begins with genetics

Aging changes the biochemical and
physiological processes in the body
Cell and molecular biologists examine and
propose theories to explain the aging process
– What causes aging?
– How can you influence aging …prolong life?
A GOOD THEORY IS:
 Major Theories of AGING

A. Psycho-Social Theories
• explain the thought processes and
behaviors of aging persons.
B. Biological Theories
• address the anatomic and physiologic
changes occurring with age.
C. Nursing Theories of Aging
 A.PYSCHOSOCIAL THEORIES:
SOCIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL

• Activity • Human Needs

• Disengagement • Individualism

• Subculture • Stages of Personality

Dev.
• Continuity
• Life-course/Lifespan
• Age Stratification Dev.
• Person-Environment • Selective Optimization
Fit with compensation.
• Gerotranscendence
 1. Sociological Theories:

Changing roles,
relationships, status, and
generational cohort impact
the older adult’s ability to
adapt.
 1.a. ACTIVITY

Remaining
occupied and
involved is
necessary to a
satisfying
late-life.
 1.b. DISENGAGEMENT

Gradual
withdrawal from
society and
relationships
serves to maintain
social equilibrium
and promote
internal reflection.
1.c. SUBCULTURE
 1.d. Continuity

Personality influences roles and life satisfaction

and remains consistent throughout life.
Past coping patterns recur as older adults adjust
to physical, financial and social decline and
contemplate death.
Identify with age grp; finding a residence =
limitations; learning new postretirement roles
1.e. Age Stratification
 1.f. Person-Environment Fit

Function is affected by ego

strength, mobility, health, cognition,
sensory perception, and the
environment.
1.g. Gerotranscendence
2. PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES

Explains aging in terms of mental

processes, emotions, attitudes,
motivation and personality
development that is characterized
by life stage transitions.
2.a. Human Needs
2.b. Individualism
 2.c. STAGES OF PERSONALITY
DEVELOPMENT
Integrity VS Despair
- characterized by evaluating life
accomplishments; struggles include
letting o, accepting care, detachment,
and physical and mental decline.
2.d. LIFE COURSE/LIFESPAN
DEVELOPMENT
2.e. SELECTIVE OPTIMIZATION
WITH COMPENSATION
Individuals cope with aging losses
through activity/role selection,
optimization, and compensation.
Critical life points are morbidity,
mortality, and quality of life.
 BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF
AGING

STOCHASTIC NONSTOCHASTIC
• Free radical theory • Programmed theory
• Orgel/Error theory • Gene/Biological
• Wear and Tear clock theory
theory • Neuroendocrine
• Connective theory
Tissue/Cross-link • Immunological
theory theory
 1. STOCHASTIC THEORIES

Based on random
events that cause
cellular damage
that accumulates
as the organism
ages.
1.a. FREE RADICAL THEORY
1.b. ORGEL/ERROR THEORY
1.c. WEAR AND TEAR THEORY
 1.d. CONNECTIVE TISSUE/
CROSS-LINK THEORY

With aging, proteins impede metabolic

processes and cause trouble with
getting nutrients to cells and removing
cellular waste products.
2. NONSTOCHASTIC THEORIES

Based on genetically programmed

events that cause cellular damage that
accelerates aging of the organism.
 2.a. PROGRAMMED THEORY

Cells divide until

they are no
longer able to,
and this triggers
apoptosis or cell
death.
2.b. GENE/BIOLOGICAL CLOCK
THEORY
Cells have a genetically programed aging code.
2.c. NEUROENDOCRINE THEORY

Problems with the hypothalamus,-

pituitary-endocrine gland feedback
system cause disease; increased
insulin growth factor accelerates aging.
 2.d. IMMUNOLOGICAL THEORY

Aging is due to
faulty
immunological
function, which is
linked to general
well-being.
C. NURSING THEORIES OF
AGING

• 1. Functional Consequences
Theory
• 2. Theory of Thriving
 Summary

This presentation has described aging from both a

biological/physiological and a psychosocial
perspective.
Biological/physiological theories are divided into two
main categories, program theories and error
theories.
Psychosocial theories are divided into two main
categories, full life theories and mature life theories.
The End