2. …..generally begins at the age of
60
People in this age group are called…
…..Senior Citizens
3. According to the World Health Organization….
…among those 13% are over
80 years old.
….there are almost
700 million people over the age 60
living in the world today.
…it is expected that by 2050
this number will be almost
2 billion and
the number of elderly will be
higher than the number of children
4. Gerontology study of ageing process
Young old age 55- 60
Old age 60-85
Very old (old-old) above 85
Gerentophobia- fear of ageing
5. Changes in Elderly
Physical
visual and hearing problems
smell and taste losses
susceptibility to illnesses
Leading Cause of
Death
heart diseases
cancer
pneumonia
6. Physical theories of ageing
Cross link theory
Free radical theory
Immunologic theory
Wear and tear theory
8. Social
because of their declining health and limited
mobility, most elderly have the tendency to
withdraw from the society – spending most of
their time looking back – reflecting on what they
have made out of their lives.
Social Theories of Aging
Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Social breakdown Reconstruction Theory
9. Social Theories of Aging
Disengagement Theory – as older adults slow
down, they gradually withdraw from the society.
Disengagement is a mutual activity in which the
elderly not only disengaged in the society, but the
society disengages from the older adult.
The elderly develops greater self-preoccupation
and decrease emotional ties with people and
reduced interest in social activities. Such social
withdrawal and increased self-absorption was
thought to increase life satisfaction among them.
10. Social Theories of Aging
Activity Theory– as opposed to the disengagement
theory, this theory argues that the more active and
involved the elderly are, the more likely that they are
satisfied with their lives.
It is therefore important to find substitute activities for
them after their retirement.
11. Social Theories of Aging
Social Breakdown -Reconstruction
Theory
This theory states that aging is promoted through
negative psychological functioning brought about by
the negative views of the society about elderly and
inadequate provision of services for them.
Social reconstruction can occur by changing the
society’s view of the elderly and by providing
adequate social services for them.
12. Society provides inadequate support services, and funds
for the elderly.
Society views elderly as
incompetent; obsolete
Society develops label for the
elderly: useless; ineffective; helpless
Elderly’s skills deteriorate
Elderly labels self as
incompetent
13. What Elderly wants?
Society provides support systems for the elderly: family
support; housing; health services; economics; nutrition
and social services.
Society views elderly as
competent; important
Society develops positive label for
the elderly: helpers; self-controlled;
wise; competent
Elderly’s skills improve
Elderly labels self as
competent
14. Issues Facing the Elderly
ABUSE
“Having someone else look
after aging parents is a
tough decision to make, and
is made even tougher by
fact that one of four nursing
homes has been blamed for
the death or serious injury
to a resident each year,
according to government
figures.”
15. Issues Facing the Elderly
ABUSE
•It can happen in the family
•It can happen in nursing homes
•Physical
•psychological (like verbal abuse)
• NEGLECT! When people who are suppose to care for
them ignore their needs and concerns
•Sexual
•Financial
•Self neglect
16. Issues Facing the Elderly
LONELINESS
•Death of a husband or wife and many friends.
•Children are busy with work and may not even come
to visit them. Grandchildren are busy with school.
•Physically weak elderly may feel that they are
burden so they try to stay away even if people are
around.
•Loneliness leads to depression – they feel alone and
unproductive.
17. Issues Facing the Elderly
POVERTY
•They cannot earn anymore and they do not have
money.
•May receive retirement pension but may not also be
enough because of their increasing medical needs.
•As such many even try to continue working even
after reaching the retirement age.
18. Issues Facing the Elderly
HEALTH
•diminished sensory and motor abilities
•tendency to acquire various illnesses such as heart
disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, etc.
19. Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION
•Job discrimination – employers
prefer younger applicants because
….inexperienced workers have cheaper salaries
…employers believe that the elders could only stay in
work for a short time because of their declining
physical condition
….elderly are thought of as slower and less capable.
20. Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION
•Social discrimination – maybe excluded from family
or community services because they are seen as
incapable.
Medical Discrimination - Some doctors treat them
without much care because they think they don’t
deserve such because they are already old.
21. Effects of ageing
a) Physical
1. Integumentary
Less elastic and dry
Loss of fat tissue-wrikling
Thinning of hair
Thickening of nails
No new growth of skin cells
22. 2. Musculoskeletal
Muscle atrophy
Joint pain and stiffness
Decrease in strength
Gradual shortening of vertebrae
Brittle bones
Weight loss
Slow overall mobility
23. 3. Neurologic
Slow response to stimuli
Decreased reflux actions
Decreased blood flow to the brain
dizziness, memory loss
Decreased temperature regulation
Sleep disturbances
Peripheral numbness
24. 4. Special senses
Diminished vision
Diminished hearing
Decreased smell &taste
Decreased cutaneous sense
Loss of balance of the body
25. 5. Cardiovascular system
Decreased cardiac output
Decreased heart rate
Atherosclerosis
Fatigue due to less myocardial perfusion
Risk of IHD
Peripheral edema due to venous stasis
26. 6. Respiratory system
Increased respiratory rate
Decreased pulmonary elasticity
Accumulation of secretion
Chronic respiratory diseases
27. 7. Gastro intestinal system
Tooth decay
Decreased appetite
Decreased secretion of gastric juice &
enzymes
Decreased absorption of nutrients
Decreased peristalsis-Constipation
Dysphagia/regurgitation
28. 8. Urinary system
Decreased UOP
Fluid & electrolyte imbalances
Frequencyuria due to decreased bladder capacity
Incontinence
UTI due to incomplete emptying
Prostate enlargement in male
29. 9. Reproductive system
Male
slow production of sperm
decreased libido
problems of erection
small & less firm sperm
Female
menopause
sagging of breast
decreased libido
decreased vaginal secretions-dysparaunia
uterine prolapse