Theories of aging

THEORIES OF
AGING
Presented by: Harsh Rastogi

Introduction
 Geriatric nursing is the specialty that concerns
itself with the provision of nursing services to
geriatric or aged individuals.
 Due to their complexity, aged people always
deserve personal attention.
 Nurses address physical, psycho social, cultural
and family concerns as well as promoting health
and emphasizing successful aging.
 Life expectancy is rising at rates which call for the
proper preparation of nurses to take good care of
the rapidly increasing number of the aged.

Definition
 Aging can be defined as the time-related
deterioration of the physiological functions
necessary for survival and fertility.
or
 Aging process is the process of growing old or
developing the appearance and characteristics
of old age.

Theories of ageing
 Each theory of aging attempts to provide a
framework in which to understand aging from
different perspectives.
 It is useful to the clinician because a
framework and insight into differences among
elderly patients are provided.

Cont…
 The theories of aging are classified into -
I. Biologic theories
II. Psychosocial theories
III. Developmental theories

• Programmed theory/ Biological clock theory
• Run out of program theory
• Gene theory
• Molecular theory
• Cellular theories
• Error theory
• Somatic mutation theory
• Free radical theory
• Clinker theory
• wear and tear theory
Biological Theories

1. Biological Theory:
 Biologic theories of aging attempt to explain
why the physical changes of aging occur.
Researcher try to identify which biologic factor
have the greatest influence on longevity.
 It is divided into following types-
 The programmed theory/ Biological clock theory
 The run out of program theory
 Gene theory
 Molecular theory
 Cellular theories

Programmed theory/Biological
clock theory:
 The programmed theory proposes that every
person has a “Biologic clock” that starts ticking at
the time of conception.
 In this theory each individual has a genetic
program specifying an unknown but
predetermined number of cell divisions.
 As the program plays out, the person experiences
predictable changes such as atrophy of the
thymus, menopause, and skin changes and
graying of the hair.
 Aging has a biological timetable or internal
biological clock.

Run out of program theory:
 Every person has a limited amount of genetic
material that will run out over time.
 All events are specifically programmed into
genome and are sequentially activated.
 After maturation genes have been activated
there are no more programs to be played and
as cells age there may be chance of
inactivation of genes that cannot be turned on.

Gene theory:
 The gene theory proposes the existence of
one or more harmful genes that activate
overtime, resulting in the typical changes seen
with aging and limiting the life span of the
individual.
 Organism failure occurs in later life because of
the presence of imperfect genes activated over
lengthy periods of time.
 Two gene types, one supports growth and
vigor, and the other supports senescence and
deterioration.

Molecular theory:
 The aging is controlled by genetic materials
that are encoded to predetermine both growth
and decline.
 The error theory
 The somatic mutation theory

Error theory:
 The error theory proposes that errors in
ribonucleic acid protein synthesis cause errors
to occur in cells in the body, resulting in a
progressive decline in biologic function.
 It is the result of internal or external assaults
that damage cells or organs so they can no
longer function properly.

Somatic mutation theory:
 The somatic mutation theory proposes that
aging result from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
damage caused by exposure to chemicals or
radiation and this damage causes
chromosomal abnormalities that lead to
disease or loss of function later in life.
 Exposure to x-ray radiation and or chemicals
induces chromosomal abnormalities.

Cellular theories:
 The cellular theories propose that aging is a
process that occurs because of cell damage.
When enough cells are damaged, overall
functioning of the body is decreased.
 The free radical theory
 The crosslink or connective tissue theory
 Clinker theory
 The wear and tear theory

Free radical theory:
 This theory is given by Denham Harman 1956.
 The term free radical describes any molecule
that has a free electron, and this property
makes it react with healthy molecules in a
destructive way.
 Free radical molecule creates an extra
negative charge.

Cont…
 This unbalanced energy makes the free
radical bind itself to another balanced
molecule as it tries to steal electrons.
 Balanced molecule becomes unbalanced and
thus a free radical itself.
 Diet, lifestyle, drugs (e.g. tobacco and alcohol)
and radiation.

Crosslink or connective tissue
theory:
 Cell molecules from DNA and connective
tissue interact with free radicals to cause
bonds that decrease the ability of tissue to
replace it.
 The results in the skin changes typically
attributed to aging such as dryness, wrinkles,
and loss of elasticity.
 Fibrous tendons, loosening teeth, diminished
elasticity of arterial walls and decreased
efficiency of lungs and GI tract.

Cont…
 It is the binding of glucose (simple sugars) to
protein, (a process that occurs under the
presence of oxygen) that causes various
problems.
 Senile cataract and the appearance of tough,
leathery and yellow skin.

Clinker theory:
 The clinker theory combines the somatic
mutation, free radical and cross link theories to
suggest that chemicals produced by
metabolism accumulate in normal cells and
cause damage to body organs such as the
muscles, heart, nerves and brain.

The wear and tear theory:
 Body is similar to a machine, which loses
function when its parts wear out.
 As people age, their cells, tissues and organs
are damaged by internal or external stressors.
 Good health maintenance practices will reduce
the rate of wear and tear, resulting in longer
and better body function.

• Disengagement theory
• Activity theory
• Continuity theory
• Subculture theory
Psychological Theories

2. Psychosocial theory:
 Psychosocial theories of aging attempt to
explain changes in behavior, roles and
relationship that occur as individual age.
 This attempt to predict and explain the social
interactions and roles that contribute to
successful adjustment to old age in older
adults.
 The disengagement theory
 The activity theory
 The continuity theory
 The subculture theory

Disengagement theory:
 Cummings and Henry (1961) stated that aging
people withdraw from customary roles and
engage in more introspective, self-focused
activities.
 The disengagement theory was developed to
explain why aging process separate from the
mainstream of society.

Cont…
 This theory proposes that older people are
systematically separated, excluded, or
disengaged from society because they are not
perceived to be of benefit to the society as a
whole.
 This theory further proposes that older adults
desire to withdraw from society as they age, so
the disengagement is mutually beneficial.

Activity theory:
 This theory proposes that activity is necessary
for successful aging.
 Active participation in physical and mental
activities helps maintain functioning well into
old age.
 Purposeful activities and interactions that
promote self-esteem improve overall
satisfaction with life; even at the older age.
 The continuation of activities performed during
middle age is necessary for successful aging.

Continuity theory:
 The continuity theory (Neugarten, 1964) state
that personality remains the same and the
behaviours become more predictable as
people ages.
 Personality and behavior pattern developed
during a life time determine the degree of
engagement and activity in older adulthood.
 Personality is a critical factor in determining
the relationship between role activity and life
satisfaction.

Subculture theory:
 Rose (1965) theorized that older adults from a
unique subculture within society to defend
against society’s negative attitude toward
aging and the accompanying loss of status.
 Older adults are a subculture with their own
norms and beliefs.
 The subculture occurs as a response to loss of
status. In the subculture, individual status is
based on health and mobility, instead of on
education, occupation and economic
achievement.

• Erikson’s Theory
• Havighurst’s Theory
• Newman’s Theory
• Peck’s Theory
• Jung’s theory
Developmental Theory

3. Developmental Theory:
 Developmental theories or life-course theories.
 These theories trace personality and personal
adjustment throughout a person’s life.
 Many of these theories are specific in
identifying life- oriented tasks for the aging
person.

Cont…
 It is of following types:
 Erikson’s Theory
 Havighurst’s Theory
 Newman’s Theory
 Peck’s Theory
 Jung’s theory

Erikson’s Theory:
 Erickson’s (1963) theory identifies eight stages of
developmental tasks that an individual must
comfort throughout the life span:
 Trust versus mistrust
 Autonomy versus shame and doubt
 Initiative versus guilt
 Industry versus inferiority
 Identity versus identity confusion
 Intimacy versus isolation
 Generativity versus stagnation
 Integrity versus despair

Cont…
 The last of these stages is the domain of late
adulthood, but failure to achieve success in
tasks earlier in life can cause problems later in
life.
 The stage pertaining to older adults is: Ego
integrity versus Despair.
 The task of this stage is acceptance of one’s
life as meaningful and that death is part of life,
versus despair, which is failure to accept the
meaningfulness of one’s life, along with fear of
death.

Peck Theory:
 Peck expanded Erikson’s theory and focused
more on later developmental stages.
 Body transcendence versus body
preoccupation is a phase concerned with
enjoyment of life in the face of physical
discomforts associated with aging.
 Ego transcendence versus ego preoccupation
is a phase concerned with the older adult’s
ability to focus on the welfare of the future
generation rather than on one’s own inevitable
death.

Jung’s theory:
 Jung’s theory proposes that the development
continues throughout life by a process of
searching, questioning and setting goals that
are consistent with the individual’s personality.
 As individuals age, they go through a
reevaluation stage at midlife, at which point
they realize there are many things they have
not done.
 At this age they begin to question whether the
decision and choices they have made were
the right choices for them.

Cont…
 This is so called “midlife crisis”, which can lead
to radical career or lifestyle changes or
acceptance of the self as is.
 As aging continues, Jung proposes that the
individual is likely to shift from an outward
focus (wit concerns about success and social
position) to a more inward focus.
 Successful aging includes acceptance and
valuing of the self without regard to the view of
others.

Havighurst’s Theory:
 Havighurst’s (1968) theory details the process
of aging and defines specific task for late life,
including:
 Adjusting to decreased physical strength and
health,
 Adjusting to retirement and decreased income,
 Adjusting to the loss of a spouse,
 Establishing a relationship with one’s age group,
 Adapting to social roles in a flexible way, and
 Establishing satisfactory living arrangements.

Cont…
 Later maturity is Havighurst’s term for older
adults.
 The task for later maturity is disengagement.
 Disengagement from tasks of middle age
allows involvement in new roles such as
grandparent, citizen, and friend.

Newman’s theory
 Newman’s theory identifies the task of aging
as coping with the physical changes of aging,
redirecting energy to new activities and roles
including retirement, grand parenting and
widowhood accepting one’s own life; and
developing a point of view about death.

Bibliography
 Smeltzer CS, Bare GB, Hinkle LJ, Cheever HK.
Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of Medical-
surgical nursing. Volume I. Twelvth edition.
NewDelhi:Wolters Kluwer (India) ; 2011.
 Lewis LS, Dirksen RS, Heitkemper MM, Bucher L.
Lewis’s Medical Surgical Nursing Assessment and
management of clinical problems. Second edition.
Volume 1.India: Reed Elsevier; 2015.
 Goldsmith TC. Evolution of Aging Theories: Why
Modern Programmed Aging Concepts Are
Transforming Medical Research. Biochemistry
(Mosc). 2016 Dec;81(12):1406-1412.

Theories of aging

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