Geriatric W1 Summary PDF

Summary of Geriatric W1 Document 1. Definition of Aging: A predictable, progressive process involving gradual changes in both body and mind, which are not due to disease or accident. Aging includes a decline in physical abilities and susceptibility to disease. 2. Key Terminology: - Gerontology:...

Summary of Geriatric W1 Document 1. Definition of Aging: A predictable, progressive process involving gradual changes in both body and mind, which are not due to disease or accident. Aging includes a decline in physical abilities and susceptibility to disease. 2. Key Terminology: - Gerontology: Study of the factors affecting normal aging. - Geriatrics: Medical branch focused on illnesses in old age and their care. - Senescence: The process by which cells lose their ability to function and divide, leading to death. 3. Life Span vs. Life Expectancy: - Life Span: Maximum potential survival time. - Life Expectancy: Expected number of years from birth, with women generally living longer than men. 4. Categories of Elderly: - Young Elderly: 65-74 years. - Old Elderly: 75-84 years. - Old & Frail Elderly: 85+ years. 5. Demographic Trends: Rising population of older adults globally due to decreased fertility, improved health, and better socio-economic conditions. By 2050, 1 in 6 people worldwide is projected to be 65 or older. 6. Aging Theories: - Biological Theories: Include Genetic Control, Wear and Tear, Free Radical, Cross-linking, and Immunity theories. - Psychological Theories: Stress, Despair, and Erikson's Bipolar theory. - Sociological Theories: Activity, Social Role, and Disengagement theories. - Environmental Theories: Aging attributed to environmental insults, like toxins and radiation. 7. Conclusion: Aging is a complex, multifactorial process, and no single theory fully explains it.