"Young old"

(65-74) actively independent

"Old-old"

(75-84) some limitation

"Oldest-old"

(85+) frailty increases

"Graying" of America

population is aging rapidly, old adults outnumber children

Longevity factors

physical activity, healthy diet, social support, decreased stress, sleep

Blue Zones

regions with longest lifespans (plant based diets, social connection, purpose)

Primary Aging Changes

muscle loss, bone loss, slowing systems, sensory decline

Prebycusis

age - related hearing loss (high frequency sounds, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, social withdrawal and quality of life decreases)

Secondary Aging

changes caused by disease of lifestyle, not universal and often preventable, contributor in disability

Chronic Illness (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis)

80% of adults have one chronic condition, 50% have two or more (impacts independence and quality of life)

Heart Disease (Heart Attack, Stroke, Vascular Disease)

#1 cause of death, plaque in arteries (risk factors: diet, smoking, inactivity, increase blood pressure)

Cancer

caused by cellular damage, 60% of diagnosis are people over 65, tradeoff

Diabetes

Type 2, insulin resistances and lifestyles, linked to obesity and inactivity, leads to more complications

Arthritis

joint inflammation (pain & stiffness), impacts mobility and independence

Osteoprosis

decreases in bone density, increased fracture risks, impacts mobility and independence

Parkinson's Disease

Neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor functions (tremors, rigidity, slow movement, dopamine drop in brain)

Theories of aging

accumulation of biological changes over time

Multiple Interacting Processes

cellular limits, cellular division slows and stops, cellular damage built up over time, system levels slowing down (NS efficiency declines)