Theories of aging

Due to increasing life expectancy and declining fertility rates, the proportion of people over 60 is increasing faster than any other age group in almost all countries. The aging of the population can be considered a success of public health policy and socioeconomic development, but also a challenge to society, which must adapt to it to achieve optimum health and functional capacity of older people and as social participation and security.

 

In any event, the aging should be considered as normal. To explain this aging there are several biological and psychosocial theories, among which we highlight:

• The programmed theory proposes that each person has a biological clock that begins at conception which has a specific genetic program itself but predetermined by the number of cell divisions.

• The programmed theory "rut-out" proposes that each person has a particular genetic material.

• The theory of life requires that we have a finite number of heartbeats or breaths.

• Free Radical Theory are molecules produced in the body during normal metabolism or radiation exposure or contamination. These free radicals are suspected to cause adverse effects on cells, DNA and immune system. Contributes to physiological changes and variety of diseases.

 

In the following video explains some of the theories of aging listed above and many more.

 

 

Bibliography:

• World Health Organization (WHO). [Website *]. [Revised 4/20/2013, updated 4/18/2013]. Available at: www.who.int/entity/ageing/projects/knowledge_translation/es/

Physiological changes

In old age there are many physiological changes in all organs and body systems. In this blog post, we will focus on the physiological changes that occur in the skin and the implications of the elderly in thermoregulation.

Physiological changes in the skin:

• Subcutaneous fat lost and sweat glands, thereby producing resulting loss of elasticity and wrinkling.
• Age spots appear.
• There are fewer sweat glands, which contributes to increased sensitivity to heat and cold.
• Skin atrophy and is prone to ulceration in elderly patients with lack of mobility.

 

As a result of some of these issues named, the elderly, affects the thermoregulation:

• They are more susceptible to hypothermia and hyperthermia.
• Reduction of muscle activity and chills.
• The food induced thermogenesis and glucose decreases.
• Vasoconstrictor response of skin arterioles cold decreases, preventing conserve heat.
• Delay to perceive the sensation of cold and heat.
• Decreased vasodilator response, requiring higher temperature for decreasing sweating and sweating.
 
 

Bibliography:

• Oubenaissa A, Bourgeois F, Biyiha N. Phenotypic markers of aging. Gerontological Year 2000, 14: 205-22.
• Kane R, Ouslander J, Abrass I. Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics. Ed Mc Graw Hill 1994, USA, pp. 4-14.

Geriatrics Vs Gerontology



These days everything related to the elderly is called geriatrics. However, it should be noted the difference between geriatrics and gerontology.

 

Gerontology is the science that studies the aging process in general and the modifications biological, psychological and social changes that occur in old age.

 

While geriatrics, is the branch of science that studies in older patients their clinical, therapeutic and social.

 

In this blog, I will focus mainly on the importance of geriatric nursing care to apply in a geriatric patient. At this time of life is so important to cure the patient how to care and improve their quality of life.

Bibliography:

• Navarre Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SNGG). [Website*]. Spain. [Revised 4/14/2013; Updated 04/08/2013]. Available at: http://www.sngg.es/es/noticias/noticias-corporativas/publicado-cuadernos-gerontolOgicos

 

Hello, my name is Ricardo and I'm nursing student at San Jorge University of Zaragoza, Spain. In this blog, I will try to reflect, topic by topic, what most caught my attention in the course of nursing care in the elderly.