Caring for the Elderly and Biological Process of Aging

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Aging is a biological process that has attracted the attention of many scientists and philosophers over the years (Robnett & Chop 2013). Several theories have been postulated to explore and analyze how living organisms age. A number of theories have been used to describe the process of aging (Yragui, Silverstein & Johnson 2013). Within the past few decades, some concepts of aging have been embraced by many scholars. At the same time, some theories have been abandoned completely (Meiner 2010). Most of these hypotheses have been studied widely to understand the process of human aging. Robnett and Chop (2013, p. 56) believe strongly that ‘a wider knowledge of the mechanisms that tend to affect the aging process can play a significant role towards identifying new interventions that have the potential to alter the process of aging’. Scientists are presently trying to identify a wide range of mechanisms that are associated with aging. The greatest hope is that the new understanding will make it possible for more communities to lead better and healthier lives (Meiner 2010).

Several concepts or theories explain why living organisms age. The first widely studied hypothesis is known as the cross-linking theory. According to proponents of this model, cell proteins and structural molecules tend to develop inappropriate bonds whenever a living organism ages. Such bonds reduce the elasticity of different cell molecules. Such proteins are eventually broken down by enzymes thus resulting in a process known as glycation (Aiken 1995). Researchers argue that ‘the cross-linking hypothesis explains how wrinkling in elderly people take place’ (Meiner 2010, p. 48).

The other widely studied theory of aging is ‘the evolutionary senescence hypothesis’ (Meiner 2010, p. 54). This model explains how the process of natural selection fails to affect the success of various late-life genes or traits. Due to this process, inappropriate late-life genes tend to be passed across from generation A to B. However, some skeptics argue that this theory should be refined and re-examined in order to come up with better arguments. It also happens to be the best theory that supports the process of aging.

The genome maintenance hypothesis is also used to describe why human beings tend to age (Cox 2006). According to the concept, the DNA is usually damaged very many times every single day (Wadensten 2006). This process takes place continuously throughout a person’s life. The greatest damage usually results from oxidative radicals and toxins. Any form of mutation during conception will also be inherited by every future generation. Some ‘mutations will never be corrected and can eventually result in cell malfunction or death’ (Reinhard & Hassmiller 2014, p. 6). The hypothesis also describes how somatic mutations occur in the DNA of every mitochondrion (Meiner 2010). Cox (2006) also argues that ‘mitochondrial aging is responsible for aging in particular’ (p. 48).

With this knowledge, scientists and health professionals can identify the best processes that can be used to deliver appropriate care to the elderly people in the community. For instance, researchers can produce specific medicines that can inhibit various biological processes such as mitochondrial aging. As well, doctors can identify the most appropriate exercises and drugs that can cleanse various tissues in the body. The ultimate goal is to slow-down the aging process. A proper understanding of aging will also result in new models for effective healthcare delivery (Hooyman & Kiyak 2007). This is the case because more concepts will be used to support the ever-changing health needs of many elderly citizens.

Nursing homes will also benefit a lot from this knowledge. Future research has the potential to identify new interventions, drugs, exercises, supportive devices, and therapies that can be used to reduce the rate of aging (Wadensten 2006). Every community will therefore benefit from this knowledge and eventually result in better geriatric care in the future.

The UK government has been on the frontline to monitor the welfare of the ageing population. Statistics indicate clearly that more elderly people in the country are in need of better health care services. This situation has led to the modernisation agenda that is aimed at addressing most of the concerns and challenges experienced by the country’s aging citizens. In 2005, a new cross-government strategy was issued by the Department for Work and Pensions in an attempt to support the needs of the elderly people in the country (Hindle & Coates 2011). The legislation was aimed at securing new opportunities for the elderly population. It focused on the need to extend the working lives of such individuals.

The government is also addressing the issue of pensioner poverty (NHS England 2014). As well, new initiatives have been put in place in order to transform the quality of social services and support systems availed to the elderly. More healthcare workers are being recruited to work in various nursing homes (Moody & Sasser 2011). The important goal is to ensure such practitioners deliver quality services that have the potential to promote the health outcomes of the targeted population (Department of Health 2001).

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) is currently empowering and protecting the elderly in the United Kingdom (NHS England 2014). The legislation supports the health and mental needs of individuals who might not be able to make accurate decisions about their treatment regimes. Such individuals should ‘receive the best care and basic rights’ (Reinhard & Hassmiller 2014, p. 7). Studies have also indicated that a wide range of social, economic, and demographic patterns might have disastrous implications on the quality of care availed to the elderly in the near future (Goldsmith 2014). For instance, majority of the young people are engaged in a wide range of economic activities. This situation explains why such people are unable to deliver the best care to their aging parents. As well, demographic changes are affecting the manner in which various services are delivered to different communities. The government has therefore outlined the need to present new resources and finances in order to deliver high-quality support to the targeted population in the future (Goldsmith 2014).

The nature of healthcare has also changed significantly within the past two decades. This is the case because modern technologies have emerged. The modernisation agenda is currently focusing on how such technologies can be used to transform the health outcomes of many citizens in the country (Goldsmith 2014). Nurses and physicians are being equipped with the best skills and concepts in order to deliver adequate care to the targeted population (Goldsmith 2014). Nursing homes are also expected to educate their clients in order to use various gadgets effectively (Williams 2015). Such measures are currently being undertaken in order to deliver the most appropriate support to this population.

This discussion shows clearly the modernisation agenda is focusing on the best strategies that can be used to improve the quality of support available to the elderly (Living well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy 2009). The government is focusing on a wide range of issues such as workplace relations, pension schemes, discrimination, social inclusion, and elderly welfare (NHS England 2014). The modernisation agenda is also embracing the power of different resources, finances, and technologies in an attempt to support the wellbeing of the targeted population (Williams 2015). Medical practitioners are also being informed about the ever-changing health needs of the population. Although a lot needs to be done, the most agreeable fact is that more elderly patients will continue to get better health support in the coming years.

Caregivers, medical practitioners, social workers, and guardians should be aware of the major problems associated with ageing. To begin with, old age is associated with a wide range of health problems that have the potential to affect a person’s life. For example, elderly people have ‘numerous challenges such as mobility and self-care’ (Reinhard & Hassmiller 2014, p. 7). Some of the body organs weaken thus making it impossible for the individuals to undertake various activities. Such individuals therefore require constant support and care (Birchwood, Spencer & McGovern 2000). Elderly citizens who fail to receive quality care encounter a wide range of social and physical problems.

The psychological and emotional aspects of ageing cannot be underestimated. Some of the major changes associated with old age tend to be scary (Fawcett 2003). Many people will ‘become insecure, feel rejected, and become less confident’ (Fawcett 2003, p. 48). Elderly people can be traumatised after realising that their roles and duties in life have changed permanently (The National Service Framework for Older People 2001). As well, the affected persons will also become less realistic. This happens to be the case because a person’s intellectual capability diminishes with old age. Studies have also identified a wide range of problems that come with old age. Some of these problems are usually psychological in nature. Many elderly people will find it hard to sleep. They will become apathetic, unhappy, and depressed. They are also forced to deal with the major side effects of constant medication (Fawcett 2003).

Many senior citizens will be forced to take care of their siblings, elderly parents, or spouses. This obligation makes it impossible for the citizens to focus on their health needs. More often than not, such individuals will have increased chances of losing their loved spouses or friends. This occurrence increases the level of grief and pain. Social workers and caregivers should therefore be aware of such challenges in order to deliver befitting care to the elderly (Tanner 2010).

The elderly will always have to deal with discrimination and stigma. According to different professionals, the elderly are always treated as delicate and unproductive individuals in many societies (Fawcett 2003). Young people will also stigmatise and ignore most of the ideas presented by the elderly. Many people will also be discriminated thus affecting their social abilities. It is also notable that ‘many practitioners will focus on the health needs of children and not the elderly’ (Robnett & Chop 2013, p. 81). This form of discrimination explains why the elderly might not be able to receive quality care from different healthcare settings.

Ageism has therefore become a common problem in many modern societies. Researchers, medical experts, and young people will tend to ignore the needs of the elderly while focusing on other goals. This gap explains why practitioners should be able to respect the needs of the elderly. The above theories of aging can be used to identify the most appropriate models and strategies that can support the health needs of the elderly (Meiner 2010). Nurses and caregivers should use their competencies in an attempt to address most of the above problems associated with old age. This is the case because many elderly citizens encounter a wide range of problems. Such problems make it impossible for the individuals to realise their health goals.

From a theoretical perspective, nurses, guardians, and caregivers should ensure every elderly citizen leads a stress-free life (Yragui et al. 2013). This goal can be achieved by listening to the targeted patient. Individuals should be ready to detect every problem affecting the targeted elderly person. The elderly should also be allowed to socialise with others and form meaningful relationships. This strategy is critical towards ensuring that the individuals lead quality lives. Social workers should encourage the elderly to participate in different communal activities. The individuals should be equipped with the best resources and tools in order to support their mobility.

It is also appropriate for the individuals to encourage such people to remain calm and mentally active. This goal can be achieved through proper disease management and physical activity (Robnett & Chop 2013). Chronic illnesses and depressions should also be treated using the best drugs. The elderly should also be encouraged to eat healthy and balanced diets. They should be allowed to interact with others and stay focused. The important goal is to prevent most of the problems associated with old age. Finally, caregivers and social workers should collaborate with other professionals in order to ensure every elderly citizen has a good life. This strategy will address most of the above problems and support the changing needs of more elderly patients.

It is agreeable that many elderly people will tend to have good health outcomes. However, studies have indicated that such ‘individuals have increased chances of developing a wide range of mental problems and neurological disorders’ (Mitra 2008, p. 37). Most of the disabilities encountered by the elderly are usually mental or neurological in nature. Santos and Lima-Basto (2014, p. 786) indicate that ‘the most common neuropsychiatric problem in this population is dementia’. Depression has also been associated old age. A considerable number of elderly citizens will encounter various mood or anxiety disorders. Statistics have also indicated that many elderly people will tend to abuse a wide range of drugs (Moody & Sasser 2011).

As well, this population is at risk of developing various physical problems. To begin with, the elderly will encounter various mobility challenges. Such challenges are caused by different diseases or conditions. Arthritis has been recorded in different parts of the world (Fawcett 2003). The condition makes it impossible for more elderly people to have active lifestyles. Heart disease is known to affect around 30 percent of individuals above the age of 65 (Marquis & Huston 2015). Several chronic complications such as cancer and respiratory infections affect the lives of many elderly patients. Studies have also indicated that ‘the risk of falls increase with old age’ (Meiner 2010, p. 32). Such falls can be disastrous and sometimes tend to claim the lives of many elderly citizens. Obesity and dental health also affects the health of many older people (Robnett & Chop 2013).

The notions of ageing ‘have been widely used in reliability analysis’ (Cox 2006, p. 48). Such concepts have been used to describe how various components will deteriorate or even improve with age (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields 2010). One of these notions is known as the stochastic ageing (Cox 2006). This concept is used ‘to analyse exponentiality against a wide range of ageing alternatives’ (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields 2010, p. 96). This understanding shows clearly that different physiological changes will be encountered by the elderly. A number of pathological processes, both active and inactive, will tend to affect the manner in which various diseases are diagnosed in the elderly. This means that the treatment method might be wrong if the right diagnoses are not done (Santos & Lima-Basto 2014). That being the case, practitioners should be aware of the major pathological processes that produce various physiological changes.

As human beings age, new chronic conditions tend to occur thus affecting the health outcomes of the affected persons. A ‘new relationship between disease and age occurs during old age’ (Marquis & Huston 2015, p. 65). This fact explains why the multiple pathology concept is widely used to study various diseases affecting the elderly. This fact explains why ‘caregivers should be aware of the physiological changes and the pathological developments experienced by the elderly’ (Mitra 2008, p. 36). The notions of ageing are critical because they help physicians deal with a wide range of physical and mental health problems affecting the elderly. The important goal is ‘for medical practitioners to identify the major mechanisms that produce true age-related body changes and age-specific diseases’ (Meiner 2010, p. 109).

List of References

Aiken, L 1995, Aging: An Introduction to Gerontology, SAGE, New York.

Birchwood, M, Spencer, E & McGovern, D 2000, ‘Schizophrenia: Early Warning Signs’, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 93-101.

Cavanaugh, J & Blanchard-Fields, F 2010, Adult Development and Aging, Wadsworth Publishing, New York.

Cox, H 2006, Later Life: The Realities of Aging, Prentice Hall, Upper-Saddle River. Department of Health 2001.

Fawcett, J 2003, ‘The Nurse Theorists: 21^st Century Updates: Martha E. Rogers’, Nursing Science Quarterly, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 44-51.

Goldsmith, T 2014, An Introduction to Biological Aging Theory, Azinet Press, Crownsville.

Hindle, A & Coates, A 2011, Nursing Care of Older People, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Hooyman, N & Kiyak, H 2007, Social Gerontology, Allyn & Bacon, New York.

Living well with dementia: A National Dementia Strategy 2009.

Marquis, B & Huston, C 2015, Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application, Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia.

Meiner, S 2010, Gerontology Nursing, Mosby, Maryland Heights.

Mitra, J 2008, ‘Management of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: Looking Positively’, Delhi Psychiatry, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 32-38.

Moody, H & Sasser, J 2011, Aging Concepts and Controversies, SAGE Publications, New York.

NHS England 2014. Web.

Reinhard, S & Hassmiller, S 2014, ‘The Future of Nursing: Transforming Health Care’, AARP Journal, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-12.

Robnett, R & Chop, W 2013, Gerontology For The Health Care Professional, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Burlington.

Santos, M & Lima-Basto, M 2014, ‘A Multi-paradigm Model for a Holistic Nursing’, International Journal of Caring Sciences, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 781-791.

Tanner, C 2010, ‘Transforming Pre-licensure Nursing Education: Preparing the New Nurse to Meet Emerging Health Care Needs’, Future of Nursing, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 347-353.

The National Service Framework for Older People 2001.

Wadensten, B 2006, ‘An analysis of psychosocial theories of ageing and their relevance to practical gerontological nursing in Sweden’, Scandinavian Journal of Caring Science, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 347-354.

Williams, P 2015, Basic Geriatric Nursing, Elsevier, New York.

Yragui, N, Silverstein, B & Johnson, W 2013, ‘Stopping the Pain: The Role of Nurse Leaders in Providing Organizational Resources to Reduce Disruptive Behavior’, American Nurse Today, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 1-23.

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Caring for the Elderly and Biological Process of Aging

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