Theories of aging

1. THEORIES OF
AGING

2. Gerontology (the study of
the aging process)
Geriatrics (the branch of clinical
medicine specializing in problems
of the elderly)
Geropsychiatry (the branch of clinical
medicine specializing in psychopathology
of the elderly population)

3. GENERAL OBJECTIVES
At the end of the class students will be
able to acquire adequate knowledge
regarding theories of aging, and will be
able to apply the knowledge in the
professional area with positive attitude.

4. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
At the end of the class students will be able to
Define Aging
Describe the classifications of old age
List down the epidemiological statistics of old
age persons
Explain the theories of aging

5. Aging
“Process of growing
old”
• Aging is a pattern of
life changes that occurs
as one grows older.

6. OLD AGE Classification
It is the last stage in the life
processes of an individual
 Young old : 60 through74 years
 Middle old : 75 through 84 years
 Old old : 85 years and older.

7. Epidemiological statistics
• 1980 - 25.5 million.
• 2016 - 43.1 million.
• 2040 – expected to 79.9 million

8. THEORIES OF AGING
THEORIES
BIOLOGICAL
PSYCHO-
SOCIAL

9. Biological theories
Genetic Theory
Wear-and-Tear Theory
Environmental Theory
Immunity Theory
Neuroendocrine Theory
Physical process of aging,
including molecular and
cellular changes in the
major organ systems and
the body’s ability to
function adequately and
resist disease.

10. 1) Genetic Theory
• According to genetic theory,
aging is an involuntarily
inherited process that
operates over time to alter
cellular or tissue structures.
• This theory suggests that life
span and longevity changes
are predetermined.

11. 2) Wear-and-Tear Theory
• Body is similar to a machine, which loses function when its
parts wear out.
• As people age, their cells, tissues and organs are damaged by
internal or external stressors.
• The effects of aging are caused by progressive damage to
cells and body systems over time. Essentially, our bodies
"wear out" due to use. Once they wear out, they can no longer
function correctly.

12. • Free radicals, which are the waste
products of metabolism, accumulate
and cause damage to important
biological structures.
• According to this theory, these free
radicals cause DNA damage, cross-
linkage of collagen, and the
accumulation of age pigments

13. 3) Environmental Theory
Environmental
factors
This theory was proposed by LOWTON 1977
Industrial carcinogens
Sunlight
Trauma
 Infection

14. 4) Immunity Theory
AGE
 DIMINISHED
IMMUNE
SYSTEM
 DECREASE
THE RATE
OF T-
LYMPHOCY
TES
DECREASE
BODY DEFENCE
ANGAINST
BACTERIA
INCRESE
AUTOIMMUNE
RESPONSE
AGING

15. 5) Neuroendocrine Theory
• Proposes that changes in hormone production result in
organism’s decline
• When we are young, our hormones work together to regulate
many bodily functions, including our responses to heat and
cold, our life experiences and our sexual activity
• Hormones are vital for repairing and regulating our bodily
functions, and when aging causes a drop in hormone
production, it causes a decline in our body's ability to repair
and regulate itself

16. PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES
Focus on social and
psychological changes
that accompany
advancing age

17. TYPES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES
Personality Theory
Developmental Task Theory
Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Continuity Theory

18. 1) PERSONALITY THEORY
• Personality theories address aspects of psychological
growth without delineating specific tasks or
expectations of older adults
• In a classic study by Reichard, Livson, and Peterson
(1962), the personalities of older men were classified
into five major categories according to their patterns of
adjustment to aging

19. •Mature men
•Rocking chair
•Armored men
•Angry men
•Self-haters

20. 1. Mature men - are considered
well-balanced persons who
maintain close personal
relationships.
2. Rocking chair-
personalities are
found in passive
Disposition.
3. Armored men have well-
integrated defence
mechanisms, which serve as
adequate protection.

21. 4. Angry men are bitter about
life, themselves, and other
people.
5. Self-haters are similar to
angry men, except that most
of their animosity is turned
inward on themselves

22.  Mature
 Rocking chair
 Armored
Healthy
Adjusted individuals
Angry
Self hater
less successful
in aging

23. 2) Developmental Task Theory
•Developmental tasks - The activities and challenges
that one must accomplish at specific stages in life to
achieve successful aging.
•Primary task of old age, as being able to see one’s life
as having been lived with integrity (Erikson (1963)
•Absence of achieving that sense of having lived well,
the older adult is at risk for becoming preoccupied
with feelings of regret or despair.

24. 3) Disengagement Theory
• Engagement means to be involved with
people and activities.
• Disengagement means withdraw from
engagement.
• Older people will need to withdraw from
social contact and will disengage because of
reduced health and loss of social
opportunities.

25. •It is necessary for the proper
functioning of a growing
society.
•The benefit to the older adult is
thought to be in providing time
for reflecting on life
accomplishment .
•The benefit to society is
thought to be an orderly
transfer of power from old to
Young.

26. 4) Activity Theory
The way to age successfully is to stay active.
•Sadock and Sadock suggested that social integration
is the prime factor in determining psychosocial
adaptation in later life.
•This theory holds that the maintenance of activities
is important to most people as a basis for deriving
and sustaining satisfaction, self-esteem and health.

27. 5) Continuity Theory
• The continuity theory of normal aging states that
older adults will usually maintain the same
activities, behaviors, relationships as they did in their
earlier years of life.
• According to this theory, older adults try to maintain
this continuity of lifestyle by adapting strategies that
are connected to their past experiences

28. • The theory deals with the internal structure and the
external structure of continuity to describe how people
adapt to their situation and set their goals.
• The internal structure of an individual such
as personality, ideas, and beliefs remain constant
throughout the life course.
• This provides the individual a way to make future
decisions based on their internal foundation of the past.
• The external structure of an individual such
as relationships and social roles provides a support for
maintaining a stable self-concept and lifestyle.

29. CONCLUTION
Ageing is a universal,
intrinsic, progressive and
deleterious process.

30. REFERENCE
 Towsand MC. Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing. 3rd edition.
Philadelphia; F A Davis company publication.2005
 Ahuja N, Vyas JN. Textbook of postgraduate psychiatry. Second edition.
Jaypee publication. 2013.
 Sreevani R. A guide to mental health and psychiatric nursing. 3rd edition.
New Delhi: Jaypee brother medical publication.2010.
 Raju S M, Raju B. Psychiatry and mental health nursing. Bangaluru; Jay pee
brothers medical publications.2010
 Gupta R K. Mental health nursing. Third edition. Bikrampura;S vikas &
company medical publications. 2016