Theories of Aging

There are many theories of aging, but few are widely accepted. Aging proceeds at different rates in different species. Even within a species, aging proceeds at different rates among individuals. A reasonable conclusion is that aging must be genetically controlled, at least to some extent. Both within and between species, lifestyle and exposures may alter the aging process. Some theories of aging focus on what controls the degenerative and entropic processes that occur with aging and why the controls exist as they do. Other theories focus on the evolutionary origins of senescence. All of these theories generally agree that senescence does not offer a genetic advantage and developed mainly because it is not selected against. Biological Theories Biological theories attempt to explain the physical process of aging, including alterations in structure and function, development, longetivity and death. It also attempts to explain why people age differently over time and what factors affect longetivity, resistance to organisms, and cellular alterations or death. An understanding of the biological perspective can provide the nurse with knowledge about specific risk factors associated with aging and about how people can be helped minimize or avoid risk and maximize health. *Genetic Theory Some scientists regard this as a Planned Obsolescence Theory because it focuses upon the encoded programming within our DNA. Our DNA is the blue-print of individual life obtained from our parents. It means we are born with a unique code and a predetermined tendency to certain types of physical and mental functioning that regulate the rate at which we age. But this type of genetic clock can be greatly influenced with regard to its rate of timing. For example, DNA is easily oxidized and this damage can be accumulated from diet, lifestyle, toxins, pollution, radiation and other outside influences. Thus, we each have the ability to accelerate DNA damage or slow it down. One of the most recent theories regarding gene damage has been the Telomerase Theory of Aging. First discovered by scientists at the Geron Corporation, it is now understood that telomeres (the sequences of nucleic acids extending from the ends of chromosomes), shorten every time a cell divides. This shortening of telomeres is believed to lead to cellular damage due to the inability of the cell to duplicate itself correctly. Each time a cell divides it duplicates itself a little worse than the time before, thus this eventually leads to cellular dysfunction, aging and indeed death. *Wear and Tear Theory The Wear and Tear Theory proposes that the cumulative damage to vital irreplaceable body parts leads to the death of cells, tissues, organs, and finally the whole body. Thus, cumulative damage to DNA leads to a decline in cell function. The problem with this theory is that there are no research models that give credible support at this time. *Environmental Theory According to this theory, factors in the environment (e.g., industrial carcinogens, sunlight, trauma, and infection) bring about changes in the aging process. Although these factors are known to accelerate aging, the impact of the environment is a secondary rather than a primary factor in aging. Nurses can have a profound impact on this aspect of aging by educating all age groups about the relationship between environmental factors and accelerated aging. Science is only beginning to uncover the many environmental factors that affect aging.

*Immunity Theory As the body ages, the immune system is less able to deal with foreign organisms & increasingly make mistakes by identifying ones own tissues as foreign (thus attacking them). These altered abilities result in increased susceptibility to disease & to abnormalities that result form autoimmune responses. *Neuroendocrine Theory First proposed by Professor Vladimir Dilman and Ward Dean MD, this theory elaborates on wear and tear by focusing on the neuroendocrine system. This system is a complicated network of biochemicals that govern the release of hormones which are altered by the walnut sized gland called the hypothalamus located in the brain. The hypothalamus controls various chain-reactions to instruct other organs and glands to release their hormones etc. The hypothalamus also responds to the body hormone levels as a guide to the overall hormonal activity. But as we grow older the hypothalamus loses it precision regulatory ability and the receptors which uptake individual hormones become less sensitive to them. Accordingly, as we age the secretion of many hormones declines and their effectiveness (compared unit to unit) is also reduced due to the receptors down-grading. Psychological Theories These theories focus on behavior and attitude changes that accompany advancing age, as opposed to the biological implications of anatomic deterioration. *Disengagement Theory Refers to an inevitable process in which many of the relationships between a person and other members of society are severed & those remaining are altered in quality. Withdrawal may be initiated by the aging person or by society, and may be partial or total. It was observed that older people are less involved with life than they were as younger adults. As people age they experience greater distance from society & they develop new types of relationships with society. In America there is evidence that society forces withdrawal on older people whether or not they want it. Some suggest that this theory does not consider the large number of older people who do not withdraw from society. This theory is recognized as the 1st formal theory that attempted to explain the process of growing older. *Activity Theory This is another theory that describes the psychosocial aging process. Activity theory emphasizes the importance of ongoing social activity. This theory suggests that a person's selfconcept is related to the roles held by that person i.e. retiring may not be so harmful if the person actively maintains other roles, such as familial roles, recreational roles, volunteer & community roles. To maintain a positive sense of self the person must substitute new roles for those that are lost because of age. And studies show that the type of activity does matter, just as it does with younger people. *Continuity Theory This theory states that older adults try to preserve & maintain internal & external structures by using strategies that maintain continuity. It means that older people may seek to use familiar strategies in familiar areas of life. In later life, adults tend to use continuity as an adaptive strategy to deal with changes that occur during normal aging. Continuity theory has excellent potential for explaining how people adapt to their own aging. Changes come about as a result of the aging person's reflecting upon past experience & setting goals for the future.