Exam6

• Aging is primarily determined by

  genetics
• The biologic clock


  states that body cells are programmed to function for a specific length of time, after which they break down and die.
• When too many cells quit functioning, the person eventually dies
• free-radical theory


  believe that cells are damaged by toxins, ions break off from ion pairs, and the resulting free radicals are unstable. This occurs in the environment, in waste products of metabolism, and from disease.
• wear-and-tear theory


  states that body cells and organs eventually wear out, like machinery does.
• immune system failure theory


  the system loses its ability to protect the body from disease
• autoimmune theory


  here the body no longer recognizes itself and begins to attack itself and break down, as occurs in some types of arthritis.
• The disengagement theory


  that it is normal for older people and society to withdraw from each other
• psychosocial theories


  theories related to socialization and life satisfaction
• activity theory


  that people who remain interested and active will continue to enjoy life and to live longer.
• continuity theory


  each individual continues to live and develop as the unique person that they are
• life span


  maximum years one is capable of living
• Life span for humans

  115 to 130 years
• Longevity (length of life) has been increasing
• In 1900, the average length of life in the United States was

  47 years
• By 2040, the average life span in the United States is predicted to be

  79.8 years
• A major contributor to longer life is that people are healthier throughout their lives now than they were 100 years ago
• The optimistic, happy person generally lives longer
• Lifestyle makes a significant difference in longevity
• Nonsmokers usually live longer than smokers do; people who abuse chemicals risk shortening their lives. Married people tend to live longer.
• A person’s personality seems to affect the length and quality of life
• Gender has been a contributing factor to longevity in the past; women in the 20th century lived 6 to 7 years longer compared with men
• The final factor in longevity is genetics. Studies of twins have suggested that heredity determines 20% to 30% of longevity in people who live to age 85
• In 2013, nearly 45 million people were over age 65—14% of the total population
• older adult population is often divided into three distinct groups

  • young old
  • middle old
  • very old
• young old” are

  65 to 74 years of age
• middle old

  75 to 84
• very old

  age 85 and beyond
• The federal Social Security system originally used age 65 as a marker for retirement.
• Today, people born between 1943 and 1959 will qualify for full coverage at age 66
• those born after 1960 will qualify at age 67
• there are as many as 72,000 centenarians in the United States
• could increase to 1 million centenarians by 2050
• The ancient Greeks were the first to say they wanted to “die young, as late in life as possible.
• Most centenarians enjoyed good health at least into their 90s
• People are becoming healthier, better educated, and actively involved in their own health care and therefore are living longer
• Additional seasonings can counter the loss of taste buds
• Physical activity also postpones many effects of aging
• Daily activity, whether walking, biking, or swimming, keeps the body functioning
• Older adults who smoke should be encouraged to quit