Essay/Term paper: The results of aging

Essay, term paper, research paper:  Science

The Results of Aging


Prepared for Ms. Ferguson
Mark Trolley

Abstract

This report presents several aspects of aging. The report looks at a number of
theories of why we age, the physical and mental changes we undergo as we age,
and several ways of caring for the elderly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.............................................iii
INTRODUCTION......................................................1
THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE............................................2
Genetics.....................................................2
Cellular.....................................................2
Physiological................................................2
PHYSICAL CHANGES..................................................2
MENTAL CHANGES....................................................5
Alzheimer's Disease..........................................5
Senile Dementia..............................................5
CARING FOR THE OLD................................................6
Retirement Communities.......................................6
Life-care Facilities.........................................6
House Sharing................................................6
Group Homes..................................................7
Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing......................7
Foster Care..................................................7
Nursing Homes................................................7
CONCLUSIONS.......................................................9
WORKS CITED.......................................................10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Tables 1. The results of aging...................................4


INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this report is to discuss several aspects of aging.
Several theories of why we age, based on genetic research, cellular
research, and physiological research will be examined, along with physical and
mental changes that are the result of aging. Specific mental changes that will
be explored are Alzheimer's Disease and Senile Dementia. The final aspect to be
looked at will be the care of the elderly in retirement communities, life-care
facilities, house sharing, group homes, low-cost government subsidized housing,
foster care, and nursing homes.

THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE
Since research into aging is not guided by any one universally accepted
theory, genetic, cellular, and physiological studies have yielded several
hypotheses.

Genetics
The most popular genetic theory, the Error Theory, assumes that aging is
the result of the accumulation of random genetic damage, or from small errors in
the flow of genetic information. The damage or errors would reduce or prevent
proper cell function.

Cellular
The best known theory of aging in cellular research is called the Hayflick
Effect, which is named after the American microbiologist Leonard Hayflick. He
found that certain human cells could only divide a limited number of times
before they die. This may suggest that aging is "programmed" into cells. This
could also account for the differences in the life spans of different animal
species, and the differences in the life spans between the sexes within the same
species.

Physiological
These theories focus on organ systems and their interrelationships. One
area currently being investigated is the immune system. As we age the immune
system gradually loses its capacity to fight off infections and other invaders.
As a result, antibodies are produced that cannot tell the difference between
"friendly" cells and "enemy" cells. Most experts now believe that aging
represents many phenomena working together (Miller and Keane 97).

PHYSICAL CHANGES
The physical changes that accompany aging are not necessarily
incapacitating, even though they may be discomforting or limiting.
The body has less strength and endurance as it ages. The rate of energy
production in the body cells is gradually lowered so that people tire more
easily and are more sensitive to weather changes. Sexual desire and ability
lower although they never entirely end for either sex. The capacity to bear
children ends in women with menopause, which is the time when the ovaries stop
functioning, causing the menstrual cycle to stop. Men retain their reproductive
function into the late years. The use of eyeglasses may become necessary, even
if they were not necessary earlier in life. Old people can hear low tones
fairly well, but their ability to hear high tones decreases. The capacity of
tissue and bone to repair itself is slowed, as is cellular growth and division.
Bones become brittle and skin loses its thickness and elasticity, causing
wrinkles. As brain cells die some capacity for memorization and learning is
lost. Breathing becomes difficult, and hardening arteries circulation to worsen
and blood pressure to rise. Joints lose their mobility and deteriorate from
constant wear and pressure. Finally, the liver filters toxins from the blood
less efficiently (Microsoft Encarta "Aging").
These are not all of the changed to the body that are brought about by
aging, but these are the major ones. There is hope in modern medicine, though.
Through the use of new technologies and drugs some of these changes can be
slowed or prevented.

Table 1. The results of aging

System Results of Aging Contributing Factors

SKIN -loses thickness and elasticity (wrinkles appear) -bruises more easily as
blood vessels near surface weaken Process accelerated by smoking, excessive
exposure to sun.

BRAIN/NERVOUS SYSTEM -loses some capacity for memorization and learning as cells
die -becomes slower to respond to stimuli (reflexes dull) Process accelerated by
overuse of alcohol and other drugs, repeated blows to the head.

SENSES -become less sharp with loss of nerve cells Process accelerated by
smoking, repeated exposure to loud noise.

LUNGS -become less effective as elasticity decreases Process accelerated by
smoking, poor air quality, insufficient exercise.

HEART -pumps less efficiently, making exercise more difficult Process
accelerated by overuse of alcohol and tobacco, poor eating habits.

CIRCULATION -worsens, and blood pressure rises, as arteries harden Process
accelerated by insufficient exercise, smoking, poor eating habits.

JOINTS -lose mobility (knee, hip) and deteriorate from constant wear and
pressure (disappearance of cartilage between vertebrae results in old age
"shrinking") Process accelerated by injury, obesity.

MUSCLES -lose bulk and strength Process accelerated by insufficient exercise,
starvation.

LIVER -filters toxins from blood less efficiently Process accelerated by alcohol
abuse, viral infection.


Microsoft Encarta. "Aging."

MENTAL CHANGES
Along with the loss of the ability of memorization and learning due to
brain cells dying (Microsoft Encarta "Aging"), elderly people can be affected by
Alzheimer's Disease and Senile Dementia.

Alzheimer's Disease
This disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain, now
considered to be a leading cause of dementia among the old. It affects an
estimated 2.5 to 3 million people in the U.S. The incidence of this disease
increases with advancing age, but there is no evidence that it is caused by the
aging process. The average life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's is five
to ten years.
Alzheimer's patients show nerve cell loss in the parts of the brain
associated with cognitive functioning. The disease also includes the formation
of abnormal proteins known as neurofibillary tangles and neuritic plaques.
Alzheimer's is also identified by defects in the brain's neurotransmitters,
chemicals that transmit nerve impulses, particularly acetylcholine, which has
been linked with memory function. Recent findings show that a small percentage
of Alzheimer's cases may have been inherited, and there has been a link between
the disease and high amounts of aluminum in the brain (Microsoft Encarta
"Alzheimer's Disease"). Senile Dementia
This form of intellectual impairment is observed in elderly people.
Approximately 10 percent of all people over 65 years of age have clinically
important intellectual impairment. Although 20 percent of these cases are
treatable, such as toxic drug reactions, most cases are Alzheimer's Disease.
Senile Dementia begins with failing attention and memory, loss of mathematical
ability, irritability and loss of sense of humor, and poor orientation in space
and time (Microsoft Encarta "Senile Dementia").

CARING FOR THE OLD

There is a wide variety of living arrangements available for the elderly.
(Social Issues "Ways & Means: Options For Aging")

Retirement Communities
Most retirement communities offer private housing in houses or apartments ,
recreational facilities, and sometimes housekeeping services. The housing unit
is usually bought, and other services are paid for monthly. Retirement
communities are offering partial home care, transportation, and other services.

Life-care Facilities
These are also intended for those elderly people that are moving in to be
in good health. They are charged an entrance fee (which can be as high as $100
000) and a monthly maintenance fee. Meals and housekeeping are usually included.
In case the resident becomes ill, medical and nursing care are provided, and
some life-care facilities contain built-in nursing homes. Some offer unlimited
nursing care, while others set a limit. A contract, which should be read
carefully, is signed before moving in.

House Sharing
House sharing is arranged by local agencies. A private house, which may be
too big for the older person living alone, is shared with someone else, such as
another elderly person, a student, or a single mother with a child. The success
of this arrangement depends on the personalities and flexibility of those
involved.

Group Homes
These are basically communes for the old. They are usually sponsored by
voluntary or religious agencies, who provide various services--including
shopping and cooking, laundry, and financial management--to the residents. The
residents pay the sponsoring agency. Each resident has a private bedroom and
shares the rest of the house.

Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing
This type of housing for the elderly is available in some communities.
Apartments are usually designed with the needs of the elderly in mind, such as
wide doorways and ramps, and often good security systems. No services are
provided, but Meals-On-Wheels and other local organizations pay special
attention to these housing clusters.

Foster Care
Foster care for the elderly is when the family shops, cooks, and cares for
the elderly person with the help of a government subsidy. This type of care is
not widely available. It can provide a family atmosphere for a person who needs
supervision, but who is fairly capable of taking care of themselves.

Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are one of the most popular options for taking care of the
elderly. Some homes offer total medical care, including rehabilitation
facilities, for those who require twenty-four-hour treatment by nurses. There
are several things to look for when looking at a nursing home: the general
atmosphere and cleanliness; the attitude of the staff toward the patients and
visitors; openness of administrators to your questions and concerns; comfort and
privacy of living quarters; quality of food; availability of medical care and
nursing and emergency services; recreational and social programs; residents'
participation in programs and input into administration; and up-to-date licences.
Nursing homes can cost as much as $35 000-$50 000 per year, so that even people
with reasonable savings cannot afford to stay for any long period of time.
Probably the most unfortunate aspect of these homes is the focus in the news on
abuse of the patients. This is the most important thing to research when you
are looking at a nursing home.


CONCLUSIONS

1. There is no one theory about why we age, but the subject is currently being
researched in
several areas. 2. The body goes through many changes as it ages, some of
which can be slowed or
prevented through the use of modern medicine. 3. Alzheimer's Disease is
probably the most prominent mental disorder in elderly people, but
research has found what it does to the brain, so a cure may be in the
future. 4. There is a large range of establishments where elderly people can
spend the later years of
their life, depending on how self-sufficient they are, and how much they
are willing to
spend.

WORKS CITED

Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software. "Alzheimer's Disease." Microsoft, 1993.

---. Computer Software. "Senile Dementia." Microsoft, 1993.

Miller, Benjamin F., M.D., and Claire Brackman Keane, R.N., B.S., M.Ed..
Encyclopedia and
Dictionary of Medicine and Nursing. U.S.A.: W. B. Saunders, 1972.

Riley, Matilda White. "Aging." Microsoft Encarta. Computer Software.
Microsoft, 1993.

Social Issues Resources Series. "Ways & Means: Options for Aging." Article #39,
Vol. 3. Aging.