Care of the Older Persons

CARE OF OLDER PERSONS-It introduces a range of age-related issues

such as healthy aging, demographic trends, and normal physiological and psychological processes of aging.

FACTORS THAT AFFECT NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THE OLDER PERSONS

DEMOGRAPHICS OF AGING-As the population of human race is getting older, public health professionals and policy makers are seeking ways to prepare for a society in which the number of people over 65 will nearly double in the next twenty years.

-A major reason cited for declining health among older adults is the epidemic of obesity, which affects about one third of people ages 65 to 74. Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis, both of which diminish quality of life, and in the case of osteoarthritis, compromise mobility.

-Growing older doesn’t mean living in a nursing home. In fact, the number of nursing home residents has declined to less than 8% of ages 75 and older. Today’s seniors have a range of choices for housing and care, depending on their socioeconomic status and their health.

Population of the Philippines as of July 2014 Age structure 0-14 years:  (male

18,493,668/female 17,753,359) 15-24 years:  (male 10,416,358/female 10,044,724) 25-54 years:  (male 20,031,638/female 19,796,545) 55-64 years: (male 2,882,719/female 3,372,485) 65 years and over:  (male 2,103,596/female 2,773, 139)

TOTAL: 107,668,231 as of July 2014

THEORIES OF AGINGBIOLOGICAL THEORIES

-It explain the physiologic processes that change with aging.

2 CATEGORIES OF BIOLOGICAL THEORIES1. STOCHASTIC or STATISTICAL PERSPECTIVE

-It identifies episodic events that happen throughout one’s life that cause random cell damage and accumulate overtime, thus causing aging.

2. NONSTOCHASTIC THEORIES- View aging as a series of predetermined

events happening to all organisms in a time framework.

STOCHASTIC THEORIES OF AGING

1. FREE RADICAL THEORY-Membranes, nucleic acids, and proteins are damaged

by free radicals, which causes cellular injury and aging.

2. ORGEL/ ERROR THEORY-This theory suggests that, over time, cells accumulate

errors in their DNA and RNA protein synthesis that cause the cells to die.

3. WEAR AND TEAR THEORY- Cells wear out and cannot function with aging. An

example is the cells in ability to repair damaged DNA. It is known that the cells in the heart muscle, neurons, striated muscle, and the brain cannot replace themselves after they are destroyed by wear and tear.

4. CONNECTIVE TISSUE / CROSSLINK THEORY-With aging, proteins impede metabolic

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

NONSTOCHASTIC THEORIES

1. PROGRAMMED THEORY-As people age, more of their cells start to

decide to commit suicide or stop dividing, and this triggers apoptosis or cell death.

2. GENE/BIOLOGICAL CLOCK THEORY- Cells have a genetically programmed aging

code.

3. NEUROENDOCRINE THEORY-This theory describe a change in hormone

secretion, such us with the releasing hormones of the hypothalamus and stimulating hormones of the pituitary gland, which manage the thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, and how it influences the aging process.

4. IMMUNOLOGIC / AUTOIMMUNE THEORY -There is decreased immune function in the

elderly. The thymus gland shrinks in size and ability to function.

Sociological theories focus on the changing roles and relationships that accompany aging. These theories discuss how these changing roles, relationships, and status impact the older individual’s ability to adapt.

Theories of Aging

The Activity Theory, developed by Havighurst and associates in 1953, asserts that remaining active and engaged with society is pivotal to satisfaction in old age. This mentality is diametrically opposed to the Disengagement Theory. Successful aging equals active aging. Activity can be physical or intellectual in nature, but mainly refers to maintaining active roles in society.

Theories of Aging

The Disengagement Theory, one of the earliest and most controversial theories of aging, views aging as a process of gradual withdrawal between society and the older adult. This mutual withdrawal or disengagement is a natural, acceptable, and universal process that accompanies growing old. It is applicable to elders in all cultures, although there might be variations

Theories of Aging

Explains aging in terms of mental processes, emotions, attitudes, motivation, and personality development that is characterized by life stage transitions.

Psychological Theories of Aging

(5 ) basic needs motivate human behavior in a lifelong process toward need fulfillment.Physiological Needs

These include the most basic needs that are vital to survival, such as the need for water, air, food, and sleep.

Security NeedsThese include needs for safety and security. Examples of security needs include a desire for steady employment, health care, safe neighborhoods, and shelter from the environment.

Human Needs Theory

Security Needs These include needs for safety and security. Examples of security needs include a desire for steady employment, health care, safe neighborhoods, and shelter from the environment.

Social NeedsThese include needs for belonging, love, and affection. Relationships such as friendships, romantic attachments, and families help fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance, as does involvement in social, community, or religious groups.

Esteem NeedsAfter the first three needs have been satisfied, esteem needs becomes increasingly important. These include the need for things that reflect on self-esteem, personal worth, social recognition, and accomplishment.

Self-actualizing NeedsThis is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Self-actualizing  people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested fulfilling their potential.

The socio-economic status will be described in terms of whether the elderly is a gainful worker or not, the tenure status of the housing unit or lot they occupy, and a poverty measure

Socio economic aspect of aging