Theories of ageing

Dr Prema Balusamy
 What is Ageing?

• At the biological level, ageing results from the impact of the accumulation
of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time.
• This leads to a gradual decrease in physical and mental capacity, a growing
risk of disease and ultimately death.
• These changes are neither linear nor consistent, and they are only loosely
associated with a person’s age in years.
• Beyond biological changes, ageing is often associated with other life
transitions such as retirement, relocation to more appropriate housing and
the death of friends and partners.
 Cont..,

Aging is a “process that turns young adults into old ones” (Miller, 2009, p. 4).
Aging is not a disease. Age changes occur in all members of a species and
takes place in virtually all species (Hayflick, 2000). Although the underlying
mechanisms of aging follow a certain course, there is considerable variability
in how aging affects individuals (Kirkwood, 2009a)
 WHAT IS THEORIES OF AGING?

• Theories of aging can be divided into two categories: those that answer the
question
• “Why do we age?” and those that address the question
• “How do we age?” Only a few broad, overarching theories attempt to
explain why we and nearly all living organism's age.
• These theories compete, making it unlikely that more than one of them
could be true.
• Over time, some theories have fallen out of favor as others have become
more widely accepted
Describe the types of theories of ageing

Biological
Sociological
Psychological
Nursing
 Implications of Psychosocial theories for nursing

• Gerontological nurses play a significant role in helping aging persons experience health,
fulfillment, and a sense of well-being.
• In addition to specific measures that can assist the older adults in meeting their
psychosocial challenges ,nurses must be sensitive to the tremendous impact their own
attitudes toward aging can have on patients.
• Nurses who consider aging as a progressive decline ending in death may view old age as a
depressing, useless period and foster hopelessness and helplessness in older patients.
• On the other hand, nurses who view aging as a process of continued development may
appreciate old age as an opportunity to gain new satisfaction and understanding, thereby
promoting joy and a sense of purpose in patients.
Nursing Theory of ageing
 Factors contributing to long and healthy life

• Diet. A positive health state that can contribute to longevity is supported by reducing saturated fats
in the diet, limiting daily fat consumption to less than 30% of caloric intake, avoiding obesity,
decreasing the amount of animal foods eaten, substituting natural complex carbohydrates for
refined sugars, and increasing the consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• Activity. Exercise is an important ingredient to good health. It increases strength and endurance,
promotes cardiopulmonary function, and has other beneficial effects that can affect a healthy aging
process.
• Play and laughter. Laughter causes a release of endorphins, stimulates the immune system, and
reduces stress. Finding humor in daily routines and experiencing joy despite problems contribute
to good health. It has been suggested since the time of Solomon that “a cheerful heart is good
medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones”.
 Cont.,,
• Faith. A strong faith, and prayer are directly related to lower rates of
physical and mental illness. Religion and spirituality can have a positive
effect on the length and quality of life.
• Empowerment. Losing control over one’s life can threaten self-confidence
and diminish self-care independence. Maximum control and decision
making can have a positive effect on morbidity and mortality.
• Stress management. It is the rare individual who is unaware of the negative
consequences of stress. The unique stresses that may accompany aging,
such as the onset of chronic conditions, retirement, deaths of significant
others, and change in body appearance, can have significantly detrimental
effects. Minimizing stress when possible and using effective stress
management techniques are useful intervention
 Applying theories of ageing to nursing practice

• The biological, psychological, and social processes of aging are interrelated and
interdependent.
• Frequently, loss of a social role affects an individual’s sense of purpose and speeds physical
decline.
• Poor health may force retirement from work, promoting social isolation and the development
of a weakness self-concept.
• Although certain changes occur independently as separate events, most are closely associated
with other age-related factors.
• It is impractical, therefore, to subscribe solely to one theory of aging.
• Wise nurses will be open-minded in choosing the aging theories they use in the care of older
adults; they will also be cognizant of the limitation of these theories