CHAPTER 3

THE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF

PHYSICAL AGING

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF AGING

•Wear and Tear Theory • states that aging occurs because of the

system simply wearing out over time

•Autoimmune Theory • hypothesis that aging is a function of the body’s immune system becomes

defective, producing antibodies

against itself

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF AGING II

•Cross-linkage Theory •focuses on the changes in the

protein called collagen with age

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF AGING III

Free-radical Theory • a special case of the cross linkage

theory of aging that posits that free

radicals produce DNA mutations

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF AGING IV

Cellular Aging Theory • the hypothesis that aging occurs as cells slow

their number of replications

BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF AGING V

Endocrine and Immunological

• decline in progesterone and estrogen partial cause

for chronic illnesses, decreased muscle mass and

strength

• loss of T-cells reduces ability to fight infection

CAN AGING BE REVERSED OR DELAYED?

• Growth Hormones

• Caloric

Restrictions

• Anti-Aging

Compounds

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES WITH AGE

•Body Composition •Both men and women experience a loss of muscle

mass and water, and an increase of fat tissue

•Skin •Skin loses its elasticity and thickness

•Hair •Hair becomes thinner and more gray

ORGAN SYSTEMS

• Musculoskeletal and kinesthetic

system

• Respiratory system

• Cardiovascular system

• Urinary system

• Gastrointestinal system

• Endocrine system

• Nervous system

AGING IN ORGAN SYSTEMS

EFFECT OF AGE ON SYSTOLIC BLOOD

PRESSURE

SLEEP PATTERNS

• Up to 40 percent of older adults report sleep

difficulties

• Older adults may compensate by taking naps

• Disorders of sleep that can occur with age include:

•respiratory problems, sleep apnea, and restless

leg syndrome

VISION AND HEARING

•Vision •Vision problems increase with age

•i.e. glaucoma, cataract, age-related macular degeneration

•Hearing •Age-related hearing may lead to adaptations and compensation

•Otosclerosis, presbycusis, &

tinnitus

THE EYE

THE EAR

TASTE AND SMELL

•Taste •The taste function of older people does not undergo a general decline

in strength, but demonstrates specific changes

•Smell •Age differences exist in the appreciation of smells