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THE RESULTS OF AGING
Prepared for
Ms. Ferguson
by
Mark Trolley
Abstract
This report presents several aspects of aging. The report looks at a number of theories of
why we
age, the physical and mental changes we undergo as we age, and several ways of caring for
the
elderly.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF
ILLUSTRATIONS......................................................................................................iii
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1
THEORIES OF WHY WE
AGE..................................................................................................2
Genetics............................................................................................................................2
Cellular.............................................................................................................................2
Physiological.....................................................................................................................2
PHYSICAL
CHANGES................................................................................................................2
MENTAL
CHANGES....................................................................................................................5
Alzheimer's
Disease..........................................................................................................5
Senile
Dementia................................................................................................................5
CARING FOR THE
OLD............................................................................................................6
Retirement
Communities....................................................................................................6
Life-care
Facilities..............................................................................................................6
House
Sharing..................................................................................................................6
Group
Homes...................................................................................................................7
Low-cost, Government Subsidized
Housing......................................................................7
Foster
Care.......................................................................................................................7
Nursing
Homes.................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................................9
WORKS
CITED.........................................................................................................................10
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Tables
1. The results of
aging.....................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this report is to discuss several aspects of aging.
Several theories of why we age, based on genetic research, cellular research, and
physiological research will be examined, along with physical and mental changes that are
the result
of aging. Specific mental changes that will be explored are Alzheimer's Disease and Senile
Dementia. The final aspect to be looked at will be the care of the elderly in retirement
communities, life-care facilities, house sharing, group homes, low-cost government
subsidized
housing, foster care, and nursing homes.
THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE
Since research into aging is not guided by any one universally accepted theory, genetic,
cellular, and physiological studies have yielded several hypotheses.
Genetics
The most popular genetic theory, the Error Theory, assumes that aging is the result of the
accumulation of random genetic damage, or from small errors in the flow of genetic
information.
The damage or errors would reduce or prevent proper cell function.
Cellular
The best known theory of aging in cellular research is called the Hayflick Effect, which
is
named after the American microbiologist Leonard Hayflick. He found that certain human
cells
could only divide a limited number of times before they die. This may suggest that aging
is
"programmed" into cells. This could also account for the differences in the life
spans of different
animal species, and the differences in the life spans between the sexes within the same
species.
Physiological
These theories focus on organ systems and their interrelationships. One area currently
being investigated is the immune system. As we age the immune system gradually loses its
capacity to fight off infections and other invaders. As a result, antibodies are produced
that
cannot tell the difference between "friendly" cells and "enemy" cells.
Most experts now believe
that aging represents many phenomena working together (Miller and Keane 97).
PHYSICAL CHANGES
The physical changes that accompany aging are not necessarily incapacitating, even
though they may be discomforting or limiting.
The body has less strength and endurance as it ages. The rate of energy production in the
body cells is gradually lowered so that people tire more easily and are more sensitive to
weather
changes. Sexual desire and ability lower although they never entirely end for either sex.
The
capacity to bear children ends in women with menopause, which is the time when the ovaries
stop
functioning, causing the menstrual cycle to stop. Men retain their reproductive function
into the
late years. The use of eyeglasses may become necessary, even if they were not necessary
earlier in
life. Old people can hear low tones fairly well, but their ability to hear high tones
decreases. The
capacity of tissue and bone to repair itself is slowed, as is cellular growth and
division. Bones
become brittle and skin loses its thickness and elasticity, causing wrinkles. As brain
cells die some
capacity for memorization and learning is lost. Breathing becomes difficult, and hardening
arteries circulation to worsen and blood pressure to rise. Joints lose their mobility and
deteriorate
from constant wear and pressure. Finally, the liver filters toxins from the blood less
efficiently
(Microsoft Encarta "Aging").
These are not all of the changed to the body that are brought about by aging, but these
are
the major ones. There is hope in modern medicine, though. Through the use of new
technologies
and drugs some of these changes can be slowed or prevented.
Table 1. The results of aging
System
Results of Aging
Contributing Factors
SKIN
-loses thickness and elasticity
(wrinkles appear)
-bruises more easily as blood
vessels near surface weaken
Process accelerated by smoking,
excessive exposure to sun.
BRAIN/NERVOUS
SYSTEM
-loses some capacity for
memorization and learning as
cells die
-becomes slower to respond to
stimuli (reflexes dull)
Process accelerated by overuse of
alcohol and other drugs, repeated
blows to the head.
SENSES
-become less sharp with loss of
nerve cells
Process accelerated by smoking,
repeated exposure to loud noise.
LUNGS
-become less effective as
elasticity decreases
Process accelerated by smoking,
poor air quality, insufficient
exercise.
HEART
-pumps less efficiently, making
exercise more difficult
Process accelerated by overuse of
alcohol and tobacco, poor eating
habits.
CIRCULATION
-worsens, and blood pressure
rises, as arteries harden
Process accelerated by insufficient
exercise, smoking, poor eating
habits.
JOINTS
-lose mobility (knee, hip) and
deteriorate from constant wear
and pressure (disappearance of
cartilage between vertebrae
results in old age "shrinking")
Process accelerated by injury,
obesity.
MUSCLES
-lose bulk and strength
Process accelerated by insufficient
exercise, starvation.
LIVER
-filters toxins from blood less
efficiently
Process accelerated by alcohol
abuse, viral infection.
Microsoft Encarta. "Aging."
MENTAL CHANGES
Along with the loss of the ability of memorization and learning due to brain cells dying
(Microsoft Encarta "Aging"), elderly people can be affected by Alzheimer's
Disease and Senile
Dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease
This disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain, now considered to be a
leading cause of dementia among the old. It affects an estimated 2.5 to 3 million people
in the
U.S. The incidence of this disease increases with advancing age, but there is no evidence
that it is
caused by the aging process. The average life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's is
five to
ten years.
Alzheimer's patients show nerve cell loss in the parts of the brain associated with
cognitive functioning. The disease also includes the formation of abnormal proteins known
as
neurofibillary tangles and neuritic plaques. Alzheimer's is also identified by defects in
the brain's
neurotransmitters, chemicals that transmit nerve impulses, particularly acetylcholine,
which has
been linked with memory function. Recent findings show that a small percentage of
Alzheimer's
cases may have been inherited, and there has been a link between the disease and high
amounts of
aluminum in the brain (Microsoft Encarta "Alzheimer's Disease").
Senile Dementia
This form of intellectual impairment is observed in elderly people. Approximately 10
percent of all people over 65 years of age have clinically important intellectual
impairment.
Although 20 percent of these cases are treatable, such as toxic drug reactions, most cases
are
Alzheimer's Disease. Senile Dementia begins with failing attention and memory, loss of
mathematical ability, irritability and loss of sense of humor, and poor orientation in
space and time
(Microsoft Encarta "Senile Dementia").
CARING FOR THE OLD
There is a wide variety of living arrangements available for the elderly. (Social Issues
"Ways & Means: Options For Aging")
Retirement Communities
Most retirement communities offer private housing in houses or apartments , recreational
facilities, and sometimes housekeeping services. The housing unit is usually bought, and
other
services are paid for monthly. Retirement communities are offering partial home care,
transportation, and other services.
Life-care Facilities
These are also intended for those elderly people that are moving in to be in good health.
They are charged an entrance fee (which can be as high as $100 000) and a monthly
maintenance
fee. Meals and housekeeping are usually included. In case the resident becomes ill,
medical and
nursing care are provided, and some life-care facilities contain built-in nursing homes.
Some offer
unlimited nursing care, while others set a limit. A contract, which should be read
carefully, is
signed before moving in.
House Sharing
House sharing is arranged by local agencies. A private house, which may be too big for
the older person living alone, is shared with someone else, such as another elderly
person, a
student, or a single mother with a child. The success of this arrangement depends on the
personalities and flexibility of those involved.
Group Homes
These are basically communes for the old. They are usually sponsored by voluntary or
religious agencies, who provide various services--including shopping and cooking, laundry,
and
financial management--to the residents. The residents pay the sponsoring agency. Each
resident
has a private bedroom and shares the rest of the house.
Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing
This type of housing for the elderly is available in some communities. Apartments are
usually designed with the needs of the elderly in mind, such as wide doorways and ramps,
and
often good security systems. No services are provided, but Meals-On-Wheels and other local
organizations pay special attention to these housing clusters.
Foster Care
Foster care for the elderly is when the family shops, cooks, and cares for the elderly
person with the help of a government subsidy. This type of care is not widely available.
It can
provide a family atmosphere for a person who needs supervision, but who is fairly capable
of
taking care of themselves.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are one of the most popular options for taking care of the elderly. Some
homes offer total medical care, including rehabilitation facilities, for those who require
twenty-
four-hour treatment by nurses. There are several things to look for when looking at a
nursing
home: the general atmosphere and cleanliness; the attitude of the staff toward the
patients and
visitors; openness of administrators to your questions and concerns; comfort and privacy
of living
quarters; quality of food; availability of medical care and nursing and emergency
services;
recreational and social programs; residents' participation in programs and input into
administration; and up-to-date licences. Nursing homes can cost as much as $35 000-$50 000
per
year, so that even people with reasonable savings cannot afford to stay for any long
period of
time. Probably the most unfortunate aspect of these homes is the focus in the news on
abuse of
the patients. This is the most important thing to research when you are looking at a
nursing
home.
CONCLUSIONS
1. There is no one theory about why we age, but the subject is currently being researched
in
several areas.
2. The body goes through many changes as it ages, some of which can be slowed or
prevented through the use of modern medicine.
3. Alzheimer's Disease is probably the most prominent mental disorder in elderly people,
but
research has found what it does to the brain, so a cure may be in the future.
4. There is a large range of establishments where elderly people can spend the later years
of
their life, depending on how self-sufficient they are, and how much they are willing to
spend.
WORKS CITED
Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. "Alzheimer's Disease." Microsoft, 1993.
---. Computer Software. "Senile Dementia." Microsoft, 1993.
Miller, Benjamin F., M.D., and Claire Brackman Keane, R.N., B.S., M.Ed.. Encyclopedia and
Dictionary of Medicine and Nursing. U.S.A.: W. B. Saunders, 1972.
Riley, Matilda White. "Aging." Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. Microsoft,
1993.
Social Issues Resources Series. "Ways & Means: Options for Aging." Article
#39, Vol. 3. Aging.
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