Aging and Activity Theories

Theories of Aging

• Activity Theory: Proposes that quality of life is enhanced by maintaining social engagement; indicates that diminished salivation and taste dullness occur with aging, impacting swallowing and nutrition.
• Disengagement Theory: Suggests a natural withdrawal from society is part of aging, leading to social and emotional isolation.
• Subculture Theory: As individuals age, they create a unique subculture, distinct from the dominant culture, often characterized by decreased peristalsis and lower caloric needs.
• Continuity Theory: Older adults tend to maintain their previous behaviors, activities, and personality traits, preserving relationships and lifestyles into later years.
• Age Stratification Theory: Highlights a system that confers power and respect based on age, reinforcing social structures across different age groups.
• Person-Environment Fit Theory: Focuses on the interaction between an older adult's abilities and their environment, impacting overall well-being.
• Gerotranscendence Theory: Proposes a mindset shift in older adults, encompassing cosmic, social, and personal dimensions, leading to a sense of satisfaction in later life.

Biological Theories of Aging

• Stochastic Theories: Suggest aging results from the body’s declining ability to repair itself, with minor gradual changes over time leading to cell damage.
• Nonstochastic Theories: Based on genetically programmed events causing cellular damage that accelerates aging.
• Programmed Theory: Cells can divide only a certain number of times; exhaustion triggers apoptosis (cell death).
• Gene/Biological Clock Theory: Proposes aging follows a genetic program encoded within cells.
• Neuroendocrine Theory: Links aging to the decline of the hypothalamus-pituitary feedback system, affecting overall health and longevity.
• Immunological Theory: Attributes aging to declining immune function, increasing vulnerability to diseases.

Psychological and Social Changes

• Decrease in Social Contact: Many elderly experience reduced interactions with friends and family, which can lead to withdrawal and loneliness.
• Changes in Roles and Tasks: Aging often brings role modifications, which can alter how individuals feel they contribute to society.
• Reconciliation with Past: Many older adults work through past conflicts and losses, accepting life changes as part of the aging process.

Physical Changes in Aging

• Skin Aging: Elasticity and strength diminish, leading to fragile skin that bruises easily; fewer oil and sweat gland secretions create dryness.
• Nail and Circulation Changes: Nails may become thicker and circulation to the feet may decrease, potentially impacting overall foot health.
• Thermoregulation: Loss of fatty tissue affects the body’s ability to maintain temperature, often leading older individuals to feel colder.
• Quality of Life: Aging does not necessarily equate to a decline in quality of life; proactive management of health through diet and exercise can foster better outcomes.

Health and Nutrition

• Chewing Problems: Common issues arise from tooth loss and poorly fitting dentures, impacting nutritional intake.
• Nutritional Needs: As metabolism slows, older adults typically require fewer calories, emphasizing the need for nutrient-dense foods to maintain health.