Major Aspects of Aging - Essay Example

? Exploring Age Introduction Aging is a natural, gradual, and ongoing process that sets off at birth and continues throughout all stages of a person’s life. The life expectancy of a person may be affected by factors such as heredity, lifestyle, health care, and environment e.g. exposure to toxins may dramatically reduce expectancy. Today’s society has witnessed a pronounced increase in longevity coupled with lowered birth rates. Aging bears both positive stereotypes (such as becoming wiser, more confident, and more motivated) and negative aspects such as predisposition to disease, disability, and depression arising from isolation which influences old people’s self esteem (Morgan and Kunkel 2011, p.11). Some years back, aging experience was not a cosy affair. Nevertheless, improvements in health and nutrition aided by technology have eased the experience making it more comfortable. Modern technology has improved the living conditions of many people. However, the increase in longevity has yielded shortcomings such as a rise in risk of abuse, exploitation, and neglect among the older people. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (UK) indicate that the percentage of the population above 70 years will continue to surge through the 21st century. A report from the Office of National Statistics places the life expectancy of persons at 75 years, a figure that rises with dawn of each day. The contemporary society has undergone demographic, structural, and cultural transformations with the advent of aging populations. In fact, gerontologists have coined the term “global graying” to describe this phenomenon. This paper concentrates on the experience of aging, dwelling on what it feels to age physically, cognitively, socially, functionally, socially, and chronologically in modern times. Types of Aging Chronological aging expresses a person’s age in years and is purely based on the passage of time. Chronological age is the determinant of many social roles such as marrying, voting, and eligibility for social programs such as social security. Chronological aging is associated with the onset of health problems. Chronologic age has both legal and financial impacts especially in the arena of insurance, and retirement. Chronological age also aids in prediction of health problems within the population and is a common variable in research endeavours (Blackburn & Dulmus 2007, p.3). Biological/physiological aging refers to body changes that accompany advancement of years. The physical changes that occur in people are not all normal since they borrow heavily on lifestyle choices and cultural practices. Some of these changes can be modified, if not prevented. Psychological aging refers to how people act and feel about themselves as they age. As people age, the information processing capability such as reaction time, intelligence, learning, memory and problem solving are affected. Similarly, their personality and self concept is affected. For instance, a 90-year-old who is occupationally active may be considered as psychologically young (Morgan and Kunkel 2011, p.12). As people age, they become functional dependent. This is particularly more pronounced in mental functions such as learning of new languages (Hillier and Barrow (2011, p.48). Functional age helps in targeting of services to sub-groups guided by age and need e.g. identification of people with physical limitations and who need home care. Contemporary societies have been able to maintain a reasonable quality of life of the old while preserving their functional independence. In addition, as people age, social factors such as society’s perception of “growing old” or being “old” define and redefine the social construction of self. As individuals age, they are bombarded with contradictory social meanings, structures, and processes attached to age. Most of these constructions are erroneous accounts on the effect of aging on the physical and mental capabilities of the elders. People interpret events in their lives differently guided by how they are treated and how the society has categorized them (Maekide 2009, p.131). Aging Experience in Contemporary Society Graham & Stephenson (2010, p. 30) conclude that, in contemporary society, a larger percentage of the older population exists than ever before. This has led to the emergence of social issues such as ageism which is discrimination based on age e.g. viewing old people as senile and rigid. Another critical social problem persistent in the society is gerontophobia which refers to fear of growing old or retiring. Although people age differently, the idea that one is getting old has low appeal to the majority of people. This arises from the fact that growing old presents challenges such as incurring losses, as well as limitations. The status of old people has been elevated in the contemporary society. The modern society has availed generous provisions to its senior citizens in areas of economic, health, and social welfare (Graham and Stephenson 2010, p.32). Governments are keen on implementing social policies and programs tailored for older people’s needs. The empowerment of old people also includes economic policies such as pension schemes. In the modern society, old people feel relieved of overwhelming burdens that previously afflicted them. Most countries deliver social services such as medical, housing, legal, psychological, as well as financial help to their senior citizens. In contemporary society, old age is an exciting time in which individuals gain a sense of self-fulfilment. Contrary to previous years, the youth in modern times are becoming accustomed to seeing lively and healthy seniors. The presence of an increasing older people dominated society has eroded youth culture. As a result, the prevailing image of older people has been boosted by a psychological shift from a youth oriented culture to more life-course inclusive identity. This in turn, has revolutionised the way people view aging hence leading to a reduction of ageism and gerontophobia (Hillier & Barrow 2011, p.5). Compassionate stereotyping, which propagate dependency and low self-esteem, has eased with time. Seniors are lesser portrayed as disadvantaged in terms of economic, social, and psychological needs. The older persons no longer invoke pity from the rest of the society since they are more independent and self reliant. Hughes and Heycox (2010, p.13) observe that the contemporary society is alive with increased expectations of what the older generation can achieve at their age. This is well demonstrated by a shift in the way the social media perceives old age. Nowadays, it is not rare to come across TV and magazine advertisements featured by old people, which promote positive attitudes of old age. This removes prejudice such as fear of aging and age transition especially that which paints old age as a boring phase of human life. The education system in contemporary society also embraces the older learners and strives to address their needs. Many institutions have tailored programs for older learners and even provide incentives such as free tuition. There has been an increase in interdisciplinary collaboration revolutionizing the entire old age experience. This has yielded new cultural practises such as healthy and active aging. The contemporary society has also availed other resources such as organizations and institutions in aging e.g. Alzheimer’s disease International, American Association of Retired Persons, and International Federation on Ageing (IFA). Maekide (2009, p. 133) notes that such organizations play a pivotal role in informing, educating, and promoting programs policies, and practices that improve the quality of life of old people worldwide. These developments have changed the face of the contemporary society by promoting visibility of aging. This in turn, has resulted in an increase of disclosure of the diversity and uniqueness of old people. This contributed to demystify aging by challenging stereotyping attitudes and prejudiced practices that weigh down old people (Graham & Stephenson 2010, p. 30). Later life events such as illnesses, bereavement has a profound effect on old people. These events affect old people physically, behaviourally, psychologically/emotionally, socially, and spiritually. These events results to psychological distress and feeling of loneliness among seniors (Hillier & Barrow 2011, p.6). The events may also lead to changes in social ties, living arrangements, and eating habits of old people. Ill health among the old people indirectly affects the welfare of the other family members. Tension and anxiety arising from the events cause depression which is still prevalent among the older people though at a lesser scale as compared to younger adults. Bereavement affects the health of the subject as occasioned by increased rates of psychological and physical disorders (Hughes & Heycox 2010, p.10). Stressful events at old age contribute to suicide incidences among the elderly. This mostly arises from risk factors such as genetic vulnerabilities and age related neurobiological changes, which fuel the depression. They may also translate into feelings of frustration and helplessness to the extent that the individual considers himself as an invalid. Efforts should be made to buffer their impact and increase psychological resilience by minimizing the occurrence of the events. Treatment such as behavioural therapy, cognitive therapy, group support systems, problem-solving therapy, and life-review therapy aids in offsetting the effect of later life events (Fiske, Loebach and Gatz 2009, p.370). Theories and Approaches to Aging Different theories and approaches exist to explain aging, namely: psychosocial theories and biologic theories. Psychosocial theories centre on behavioural changes as well as environmental influences on aging. Psychosocial perspectives on aging look into behavioural changes that manifest as people age. Most importantly, they focus on social interaction changes as well as activity changes. Psychosocial theories include activity theory, disengagement theory, continuity theory, and life-course theory (Blackburn & Dulmus 2007, p.5). Disengagement theory, proposed by Cumming and Henry (1961), holds that disengagement is useful to individuals as well as the society. The theory holds that such disengagement is beneficial since it minimizes social disruption occasioned by eventual death. Disengagement in this case is an inevitable, universal and rewarding process in which both the individual and society withdraws as old age beckons. A good illustration of the disengagement process is retirement from work during sunset years. With retirement individuals are relieved their occupational and family roles bringing in fresh members into the system. Activity theory takes a normative approach to aging by arguing that if individuals are to age well, they must actively maintain their present social roles and interactions rather than disengage from them. The theory draws a positive correlation between activity and life satisfaction. Hence, a retiree should substitute the previous occupational engagement with new activities if they are to remain fulfilled (Hillier & Barrow 2011, p.8). Life-course theories such as Erikson’s developmental stages explore changes that individuals undergo as they progress through life. Emphasis is laid on the resolving of crisis that confronts the individual in every stage. As people age, they must adjust to occurrences such as declining health and physical strength, retirement, bereavement, living arrangements, and pleasures that come with aging such as increased leisure opportunities. Continuity theory holds that individuals attempt to preserve and defend both internal and external structures by utilising adaptive strategies that enhance continuity. This helps them to deal with changes that occur during normal aging (Blackburn & Dulmus 2007, p.9). Biologic theories are classified as genetic and non-genetic (those arising from wear and tear). Genetic theories include error and fidelity theory which holds that the DNA map that was previously producing high quality cells deteriorates with age. This in turn, leads to aging and eventually death. Somatic mutation theory asserts that mutations are those hereditary changes that occur in cellular DNA (Morgan & Kunkel 2011, p.13). This precipitates modification of genetic sequence, which leads to aging. Glycation theory suggests that glycation, which is the non-enzyme reaction involving glucose and tissue protein, cumulatively shortens the life span of many people. Programmed cellular aging theory purports that aging results from cell impairments common in transcription of RNAs into functional proteins, which is more pronounced among the aged (Blackburn & Dulmus 2007, p.14). Conclusion Healthy/successful aging aids in postponement of or minimising of undesired effects of aging. The main focus lies in maintenance of both physical and mental health while avoiding disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease that accompany aging. Efforts should be made to integrate the older people to the rest of the population since it improves their quality of life. Older people should as well be provided with emotional and practical resources such as social clubs, family based activities, and religious activities. Reference List Blackburn, A & Dulmus, N 2007, Handbook of gerontology: Evidence based approaches to theory, practice, and policy, New Jersey, Wiley. p. 2-20 Fiske, A, Loebach, W & Gatz, M 2009. Depression in older adults, Clinical Psychology, 5 (10), p. 363-389 Graham, E & Stephenson, H 2010, Contesting aging & loss, Toronto, Ontario, University of Toronto. p. 27-47. Hillier, M & Barrow, M 2011, Aging, the individual, and society, Belmoun, Cengage. p. 3-20. Hughes, M & Heycox, K 2010, Older people, ageing and social work: Knowledge for practice, Edinburg, Allen & Unwin. p. 8-15. Maekide, K 2009, Moving from elder friendly to elder essential: A global mandate, The Gerontologist 49 (1), p.131-135. Morgan, A & Kunkel, R 2011, Aging, society, and the life course, New York, Springer. p. 2-18. Read More