2. Learning Objectives
1. Interpret demographic data according
to race, gender, and age.
2. Relate leading causes of morbidity and
mortality among older adults.
3. Identify common myths of aging and
their contribution to ageism.
4. Describe the effects of chronic disease.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
3. Learning Objectives
5. Contrast several major theories of
aging.
6. Evaluate the natural history of disease
using principles of epidemiology.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
4. Box 1-2 Benefits of Healthy Aging
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
5. Demographics and Aging
• The proportion of persons over the age
of 60 is projected to double worldwide
over the next 50 years.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
6. Aging trends will affect older
people in different ways.
• Over the next 20 years 74 million baby
boomers will retire. Medicare and Social
Security will add 10,000 new retirees
per day.
• The old-old are the fastest growing
segment of the population, growing at
twice the rate of those 65 and over and
4 times faster than the total U.S.
population. This group will triple by
2050.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
7. Figure 1-2 Population by age and sex: 2000 and 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
8. Longevity and the Sex Differential
• Women now comprise the majority of
the older population.
• In the United States the ratio of men to
women over the age of 65 is 49 men to
every 100 women.
• Older women face different socio-economic
circumstances.
• The differences between countries have
narrowed over time.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
9. Life After 65
• Health care has improved.
• There has been an increase in the use
of preventive services.
• People are choosing healthier lifestyles.
• Medicare has expanded coverage of
preventive services.
• The older adult should be urged to
assume more responsibility for healthy
aging.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
10. Living Longer or Living Better
• The death rate for 7 of the 10 leading
causes of death has decreased.
• The death rate increased for
Alzheimer’s disease, nephritis,
nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis.
• Heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, and
diabetes account for two-thirds of all
deaths each year.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
11. Figure 1-5 Leading causes of death for men and women 65 years and older.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011); National Center for Health Statistics, data from the
National Vital Statistics System (2006).
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
12. Box 1-4 Most Common Causes of Disability in the
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
United States
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2011).
13. Healthy People 2020
• “Healthy People 2020” is the prevention
agenda for the United States:
– Establish quality measures; identifying
levels of training for people who care for
older adults.
–Achieve health equity, eliminate
disparities, and improve the health of all
groups.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
14. Theories of Aging
• The study of aging continues to grow
and evolve.
• Normal aging includes:
–Changes in the heart, arteries, lungs,
brain, kidneys, bladder, body fat,
muscles, bones, sight, hearing, and
personality.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
15. Figure 1-8 Normal changes of aging.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
16. Theories of Aging
• The study of aging continues to grow
and evolve.
• Each body system is affected by aging.
• Modifiable changes can be slowed by
healthy lifestyle.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
17. Major Theories of Aging
• Biological
• Psychological
• Sociological
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
18. Biological Aging Theories
• Programmed Theories
–Aging follows a biological timetable
• Error Theories
– Emphasizes environmental assaults to
the human system
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
19. Psychological Aging Theories
• Jung’s Theory of Individualism
–As a person ages, the shift of focus goes
from extroversion to introversion.
• Erikson’s Developmental Theory
– Eight stages of life – the older adult,
integrity versus despair.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski
20. Sociological Aging Theories
• Disengagement Theory
– The older person and society engage in
a mutual and reciprocal withdrawal.
• Activity Theory
–Older adults stay active and engaged to
enjoy old age.
• Continuity Theory
–Aging involves maintaining previous
values and habits.
Gerontological Nursing, Third Edition
Patricia A. Tabloski