NRG303: Care of the Old Person

Chapter 2:
Theories of Aging
Presented by
Kenneth M. Sabido, RN, MN

Reference: Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, Sixth Edition

Today's Topics Theory vs Fact

Biologic theories of aging

Psychosocial theories of aging

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

Relevance of theories to Nursing Practice
Words to Live By

“For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned, it

is the season of the harvest.”

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

HASIDIC
The maximal life expectancy for humans
today appears to be 120 years, but why is
this so?

Theories of aging have been considered

throughout history as mankind has sought
to find ways to avoid aging.

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

No one has identified a single unified rationale for why we age and why
different people live lives of different lengths.
Theories abound to help explain and give some logical order to our
observations.
Observations, including physical and behavioral data, are collected and
studied to scientifically prove or disprove their effects on aging.
Theory vs Fact
Fact: Observations about the world around us.
Example: “It’s bright outside.”
Theory: A well-substantiated explanation acquired through the scientific method
and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
Example: “When the sun is out, it tends to make it bright outside.”

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

 Biologic Theories

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

BIOLOGIC THEORIES

PROGRAMMED THEORY: proposes that everyone has a “biologic clock” that starts ticking at
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, skin changes, and graying of the hair.

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

BIOLOGIC THEORIES
RUNOUT-OF-PROGRAM THEORY: proposes
that every person has a limited amount of genetic
material that will run out eventually
RATE OF LIVING THEORY: proposes that individuals
have a finite number of breaths or heartbeats that are
used up over time

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

GENE THEORY: proposes the existence of one
or more harmful genes that activate over time,
resulting in the typical changes seen with aging
and limiting the life span of the individual.
BIOLOGIC THEORIES
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.

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

SOMATIC MUTATION THEORY is similar but proposes
that aging results from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
damage caused by exposure to chemicals or radiation and
that this damage causes chromosomal abnormalities that
lead to disease or loss of function later in life.
 BIOLOGIC THEORIES
The FREE RADICAL THEORY provides one explanation for cell damage.
Free radicals are unstable molecules produced by the body during the normal processes of
respiration and metabolism or following exposure to radiation and pollution.
These free radicals are suspected to cause damage to the cells, DNA, and the immune
system.
Excessive free radical accumulation
in the body is purported to
contribute to the physiologic

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

changes of aging and a variety of
diseases such as:
• arthritis
• circulatory diseases One free radical, named lipofuscin, has been
identified to cause a buildup of fatty pigment
• diabetes, and
granules that cause age spots in older adults.
• atherosclerosis.
Individuals who support this theory propose that
the number of free radicals can be reduced by the
use of ANTIOXIDANTS, such as vitamins A, C, and
E, carotenoids, zinc, selenium, and
phytochemicals.
 BIOLOGIC THEORIES
CROSSLINK OR CONNECTIVE TISSUE
THEORY, which proposes that cell molecules
from DNA and connective tissue interact
with free radicals to cause bonds that
decrease the ability of tissue to replace
itself. This results in the skin changes
typically attributed to aging such as
dryness, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.
WEAR-AND-TEAR THEORY presumes that the body is
similar to a machine, which loses function when its parts

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

wear out, damaged by internal or external stressors.
When enough damage occurs to the body’s parts, overall
functioning decreases. This theory also proposes that
good health maintenance practices will reduce the rate
of wear and tear, resulting in longer and better body
function.

CLINKER THEORY, combines the somatic mutation, free radical, and crosslink 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.
BIOLOGIC THEORIES
NEUROENDOCRINE THEORY focuses on the
complicated
chemical interactions set off by the
hypothalamus of the brain.
With age, the hypothalamus appears to be less
precise in
regulating endocrine function, leading to age-
related changes such as decreased muscle mass,

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

increased body fat, and changes in reproductive
function.

RELIABILITY THEORY OF AGING AND LONGEVITY

is a complex mathematical model of system
failures first used to describe failure of complex
electronic equipment. It is used as a model to
describe degradation (disease) and failure
(death) of human body systems.
BIOLOGIC THEORIES

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

The IMMUNOLOGIC THEORY proposes that aging is a
function of changes in the immune system.
According to this theory, the immune system— an
important defense mechanism of the body— weakens
over time, making an aging person more susceptible
to disease.
The immunologic theory also proposes that the
increase in autoimmune diseases and allergies seen
with aging is caused by changes in the immune
system.
 Theories
Psychosocial

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES
DISENGAGEMENT THEORY was
developed to explain why aging
persons separate from the
mainstream of society.
This theory proposes that older
people are systematically separated,
excluded, or disengaged from society

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

because they are not perceived to be
of benefit to the society.
This theory further proposes that
older adults desire to withdraw from
society as they age; the
disengagement is mutually
beneficial.
PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES
ACTIVITY 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

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

that promote self-esteem improve
overall satisfaction with life, even at an
older age.
“Busy work” activities and casual
interaction with others were not shown
to improve the self-esteem of older
adults.
Life-course theories are perhaps the theories best
known to nursing. 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. Four of the

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

most common theories—Erikson’s, Havighurst’s,
Newman’s, and Jung’s—are worth exploring.
Chapter 2: Theories of Aging
HAVIGHURST’S THEORY details the
process of aging and defines
specific tasks for late life,
including:

(1)adjusting to decreased physical

strength and health;
(2)adjusting to retirement and
decreased income;

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

(3)adjusting to the loss of a
spouse;
(4) establishing a relationship with
one’s age group;
(5) adapting to social roles in a
flexible way; and
(6) establishing satisfactory living
arrangements.
 NEXT

Newman’s Theory

Newman’s theory identifies the tasks of

aging as:

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

(1)coping with the physical changes of
aging;
(2) redirecting energy to new activities and
roles, including retirement, grandparenting,
and widowhood;
(3) accepting one’s own life; and
(4) developing a point of view about death.
 JUNG’S THEORY proposes that development
continues throughout life by a process of
searching, questioning, and setting goals that
are consistent with the individual’s personality.

As aging continues, Jung proposes

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

that the individual is likely to shift from
an outward focus (with concerns
about success and social position) to a
more inward focus.

Successful aging, according to Jung,

MIDLIFE CRISIS can lead to radical career or
includes acceptance and valuing of the
lifestyle changes or to the acceptance of the
self as is.
self without regard to the view of
others.
 IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Physical theories of aging Psychosocial theories help

indicate that, although explain the variety of behaviors
biology places some seen in the aging population.
limitations on life and life
expectancy, other factors are Understanding all of these

Chapter 2: Theories of Aging

subject to behavior and life theories can help nurses
choices. recognize problems and provide
nursing interventions that will
help aging individuals
Nursing can help individuals successfully meet the
achieve the longest, developmental tasks of aging.
healthiest lives possible by
promoting good health
maintenance practices and a
healthy environment.
 Chapter 2: Theories of Aging
Thank You!
Reference: Williams: Basic Geriatric Nursing, Sixth Edition
Do you have any questions?