Category: Aging

Population aging is a global problem that is estimated to be at its worst. The United Nations (2004) echoes this by stating that in the history of mankind the world has never seen an aged population as the one existing currently. To this end, the United Nations has predicted that there will be increased aging in the 21st century that will exceed the 20th century. This is an indication that indeed aging is a predicament that countries need to deal with to sustain their development and be able to enhance lifespan. Well-planned aging will ensure that the old lead a good life because their special social and physical needs will be catered for. This brochure is meant to highlight the options for population aging and be more informative on the issue.

The target audience of this brochure is the aged, the middle-aged, and the young. Those in the workforce to those considering retiring as well as those already retired are thus the target audience. This brochure covers the age group from the 20s to the 90s. This then means that the brochure has its obligation to equip this age group with the required information and details revolving around retirement. The question is then which regions are well known for an increased number of aging? The answer to this question falls to the regions of Asia and Europe where research has shown that the number of countries in this region is likely to face severe population aging (The Oxford Institute of Ageing, 2012). The institute continues to state that the extent will be that the large population will be over 65 and the average age will be 50.

The report by the special senate committee on aging, Carstairs, and Keon (2008), distinguishes three categories of seniors which are the young old who is considered healthy and fit, the middle old who are considered very slow and have less money and the frail old who are the ones that are very elderly and have special social and physical needs. The transition of older adults to retirement should be that which is smooth and efficient for both the adult and the parties involved.

Older adults should in this perspective be allowed to decide on whether they can continue to work or not. The flexibility should be made to those who wish to continue but also not restrict those who wish to retire. The report contends that retirement should provide a beneficial pension to the old population. This incentive according to the committee should be at maximum if early retirement at the age of 55 is taken but a minor incentive if taken below the age of 55. This is the case scenario of Canada through its Canada pension Plans where the transitions are aided by the administration through huge benefits for early retirement and less in advanced age.

This though does not cover the unemployed workers who have fewer options in terms of retirement. To this end, this brochure advocates for an insurance plan that will cover the unemployed workers who may get fewer benefits during their time of retirement with many opting not to retire late (Special Senate Committee on Aging, Carstairs, and Keon, 2008). The brochure hence ascertains that the transition should give the older adults the required support.

Social housing is so intricate in that the older adults prefer to own their own houses but factors such as ill-health, loss of spouse among other issues are limiting their chances. Building homes for older adults is, therefore, one way of solving the problem for seniors and an effective way of a smooth transition to retirement. It is well known that the health of seniors in recent times is better than the previous generations. However, this does not mean that they are free from health issues. The seniors are prone to medical issues more than younger people and suffer from poor health. The increased medical services have not helped the situation for older adults.

This has forced many of them to increase their spending on health care. This means that there are always increased health demands with the increase in age. The older populace has higher amassed savings per head than the younger generation. To this end, there is a need to save by the working force to enjoy during the retirement period. The legal preparation is where the older adults need to ensure they have left a will to estimate their worth and the beneficiaries. This is to enable the minimization of wrangles and court battles among the remaining parties. It is also imperative for the retired to have acquired wealth in their names hence facilitating them to have a stable life in the future.

The brochure is hence insightful on the aspect of the aging population and the options that they have in terms of young adults who intend to retire at one point or another.

Reference List

Special Senate Committee on Aging, Carstairs, S. and Keon, W. J. (2008). Issues and Options for an Aging Population: Special Senate Committee on Aging Second Interim Report. Ontario: Special Senate Committee on Aging.

The Oxford Institute of Ageing, (2012). Official Institute Website. Web.

United Nations, (2004). World Population Ageing: 1950-2050. Web.

Introduction

The worlds population has grown very fast. Early developments indicated that developed countries had the fastest-growing number of older people. However, the trend has picked up in less developed countries of the world as well. By the year 2050, it is estimated that one billion two hundred thousand people aged sixty-five years and above will live in less developed countries, while twenty-two percent of them will live in developed countries (Uhulenberg 577). This demographic change will affect the social, health, and economic progress of all countries. This article will look at the aging profile of Pakistanis (Uhulenberg 577). Fertility reduction in Pakistan has resulted in a reduction in the number of children per woman. Successive births are reduced; hence the increase of old peoples population. Changes in life expectancy have also resulted in changes in aging patterns. With proper medication, people can live longer thus increasing the number of old people.

Dependency Ratio

Pakistan is a developing country and four percent of its people are aged over 65 years; forty-one percent are below fifteen years of age; fifty-five percent of the people are between fifteen years and sixty-four years of age. The country has a youthful age structure population, where the working population has to support many old people (Uhulenberg, p. 577). This is in contrast to developed countries that have a very low dependency rate. The dependency burden being about eighty-two percent is very high for Pakistan and it creates a hidden momentum of growth in population due to the many youths of childbearing age.

Dependency Ratio = [(4+41)/55]*100 = (45/55)*100

81.8

Population Pyramid of Pakistan

The population pyramid of Pakistan shows how the population has grown. The country had its population more than doubled to140 million from 60 million between 1970 and 2000. Those aged between fifteen and forty-nine rose from fourteen million to sixty-eight million. The increase in population has been attributed to the improvement in health care provision. Children were given the right vaccines; pregnant women attended the antenatal clinic; and children were born in health clinics (Uhulenberg, p. 577).

High fertility has resulted in an increased population in Pakistan. The socio-economic conditions in Pakistan are different from other countries and this has prevented fertility decline. The majority of the population resides in the rural areas and thus has no access to proper education and health facilities, resulting in a high population because women are not aware of the family planning methods.

Conclusion

The population is growing very quickly in Pakistan and this has created a high dependency rate. Improvement in health facilities and education reduces the fertility rate of the population because women reduce the number of children they bear to dedicate more time for their careers, increasing the aging population. It is projected that the population of those above sixty-five years of age will be higher in 2020 than in 2005 and highest in 2050. This is because with improved health facilities people can use family planning measures to reduce the number of children per woman. Education will also help most women to work and not be housewives; hence reducing the number of children they get.

Works cited

Uhlenberg, Peter. International Handbook of Population Aging. Chicago. Illustrated Publisher Springer, 2009.

Attentiveness and response to circumstances are said to significantly vary with age. Older people are characterized by a slower response to circumstances as compared to younger individuals. Research has established that the older category of people is not likely to register a response as fast as young people would. The function of the brain that involves the processing of information is also realized to be gradually impaired as people grow old. With this in mind, older people are expected to have difficulty in solving problems especially if they are not very familiar with the problems.

A decline in the expected processing capacity implies that older people are forced to put more attention to tasks to come up with solutions. As a result, there is a reduced efficiency in performance as people advance in age. The poor processing ability of the older category of people which is being explained by factors such as divided attention experienced by the older generations as compared to the younger generations due to responsibilities in life as well as engagements of the brain that derails the processing of information is, therefore, a major factor influencing how age difference affects responses to emergencies.

Based on the above information, old age limits on driving privileges should be upheld. This is because old age is associated with inefficiencies that can be dangerous in some driving conditions. Screening of drivers should thus be based on practical routine checks on processing ability.

Identification of the difference between normal and abnormal memory changes

Though memory changes are realized in life as people advance in age, the changes can either be normal or abnormal. One of the ways by which the two memory changes can be distinguished from each other is by examining the effect induced in the life of a person. A change in memory that affects the daily life of an individual to the extent of forgetting very basic things such as the place of residence is classified as abnormal memory changes. The other changes which are mild and do not have an effect of making a person forget the basic things in his/her life are said to be normal memory changes.

Examples of things that people can forget

Being the basis of distinguishing between normal and abnormal changes in memory, the things that people forget are associated with the two mutually exclusive categories. Examples of things that can be forgotten normally include forgetting other peoples names or specifications that had been earlier on described, for instance, items to be bought from a shop. Abnormal forgetting is on the other hand associated with forgetfulness of things that have been part of a persons life such as where a person stays or the identity of a persons spouse. Such is considered abnormal as they affect information that had been permanently stored.

Stereotypes about memory performance in older adults

Memory performance of older adults has been generally perceived to be poor as compared to that of younger people. One of the facts about poor memory among older people is its association with the encoding process. The fact that adults do not optimally engage in encoding is however refuted to be a factor of memory loss.

Daily performance of older adults on memory and list learning task

The performance of the older adults is thus realized to be poor as compared to that of younger people due to poor encoding and slower response.

The trend of adult children becoming caregivers for their parents is one of the most widespread in American society. It is a tough experience for those who suddenly realize that it is time to shift roles with their parents and take care of them. Aging is one of the greatest human worries because it manifests the fear of death, and watching loved ones get old is disturbing for many people. It can cause a certain level of anxiety stress and result in emotional burnout. However, representation of the trend has various forms in different countries, and this article analyzes the trends global dynamics, common biases, views parental caregiving from sociological perspectives, and describes attempting responses to the negative impacts.

Comparative Perspectives

Comparing the representation of the trend in the US and Russia, there are certain similarities and disparities. In Russia, people have to provide their parents with all the support and help they may need when they are not as strong and healthy. In this way, the norms are similar to the American, although there are some distinctions. On the territories of the post-USSR countries, it was and still is accustomed for adult children to live with their parents (Saporovskaia et al., 2021). Therefore, people are prepared for the role of a family caregiver from a young age and adapt to it more easily (Meduza, 2018). However, there are several variables and disparities which influence that trend. For instance, the relationship between the two sides can be poor and intense, or children may live far away from their parents and be unable to take care of them physically. In addition, people have their duties and responsibilities, such as children and jobs, which significantly complicates the process of the help to their loved ones.

Moreover, becoming a caregiver also influences other social institutions, particularly employment. Especially it is challenging for the black community since, in compassion to the traditional white familial trend, they have a deeper and stronger attachment to their community and family relations. Thus, some people have to quit their jobs to care for their elderly parents, and it influences employment primarily in the marginalized fraction (Peterson, 2021).

Those factors may eventually lead to the negative impact of the trend on modern families. Usually, it is emotionally hard to watch people who for many years were the solid and dominant figures in childrens life experiencing the decline in mental and physical abilities (Gardiner, 2019). Thus, it affects the relationship inside the modern family because of all the stress, and tension people can become irritated, aggressive, exhausted, and translate it on their children.

Sociological Analysis

To better understand the dynamics of the trend, there are three helpful sociological theories: conflict, functionalist and symbolic. From the conflict perspective in Russian culture, caring for the elderly is a part of living in an extended family since this type is significantly widespread in the area (Pilkauskas & Cross, 2018). In the US, for instance, the care for parents is more struggling because older adults tend to be more independent and live on their own, so it can be stressful for children to take this responsibility and sacrifice their freedom.

Considering the trend from the functionalist perspective, there are positive outcomes such as the stimulus of close relationships among the family members and support and care about one another. Families learn how to be flexible in challenging situations and work together to overcome the obstacles, which may create the pattern of the specific attitude within the family. In addition, when family members care for their elderly and provide them with medical assistance, there are lower chances of them appearing in the nursing home. It prevents older people from neglecting and positively affects social institution such as healthcare and the economy since there are fewer elderly that needs help and care from the government.

The symbolic interactionist theory implies that people, through communication, define the meaning of their social connections and fill them with certain senses depending on the status of relationships (Popular theories of sociology, 2022). Families define themselves and the character of their relationship with the members based on verbal and non-verbal communication. Thus, some families are closer and loving, and in some, their members are distant and autonomous, for example. Depending on the interaction level between the relatives and their ability to build a connection, the definition of the forms evolves with time. However, there are still some biases about the familial trend. The most common is that caregiving for parents will inevitably become childrens burden when their loved ones start to get completely weak and helpless. I as well have a bias regarding the familial trend, which refers to the need to neglect my other duties and sacrifice my career or education to care for my aging parents.

Value of Sociology

Sociological theories and perspectives can help eliminate several social biases regarding familial trends. Viewing the caregiving from the symbolic theory allows us to see it not as a burden but as a logical outcome of the close interactions between the children and the parents (Stephens, 2021). Therefore, a healthy atmosphere in the family can demonstrate the close relationships between the children and parents. In turn, conflict and functionalist perspectives may challenge the general assumptions by analyzing the reasons and causes that influence the development of the family trend. The sociological perspectives allow dealing with the fear of aging and attract attention to the struggles of adult children with multiple responsibilities (Emoha Elder Care, 2021). Moreover, those theories help address the negative impacts of the trend that can be represented by the excessive amount of pressure for adult children, physiological exhausting, and psychological struggles.

EvidenceBased Response

The government has developed special programs to support caretakers with financial and human resources to respond to negative impacts. Another of the most effective implications is the support groups for adults who care for their older parents (Family caregiving, 2022). Since caregiving can be emotionally exhausting and enormously affect mental health, that can result in burnout and difficulties in other areas of life such as work and the upbringing of children. Thus, I would suggest a special educational program for the regular people who had to become caretakers. The program includes all the necessary knowledge and practice to successfully deal with the possible struggles: studying the basics of caregiving, psychological support, financial aids, personal approach, and treatment suggestions. Specialists will help realize parents mortality, introduce them to the community of people with similar struggles, and assist in making the first steps towards the new responsibilities. This response is very likely to be successful because it helps prevent stress and burnout caused by caregiving, creates a clear plan of action, and integrates it into the usual lifestyle with minimum losses.

Overall, the familial trend of caregiving might differ depending on the culture, the country, and the specific dynamic of each family. Conflict, functionalist and symbolic psychological theories help eliminate some biases regarding the caregiving for parents and change public assumptions into more positive. Since caregiving is usually a burdensome duty, certain responses to the trend, such as financial support from the government and support groups, help with the negative impacts and reduce the stress and emotional challenges.

References

Emoha Elder Care. (2021). Seven issues we face while taking care of aging parents. Emoha. Web.

Family caregiving. HelpGuide. Web.

Gardiner, A. (2019). I put my own life on hold: The pain and joy of caring for parents. The New York Times. Web.

Peterson, A., H. (2021). The staggering, exhausting, invisible costs of caring for Americas elderly. Vox. Web.

Pilkauskas, N. V., & Cross, C. (2018). Beyond the nuclear family: Trends in children living in shared households. Demography, 55(6), 2283-2297. Web.

Popular theories of sociology. National University. Web.

Russias elderly live rough lives, and the state offers almost no help, but officials say everything is about to change. (2018). Meduza. Web.

Saporovskaia, M. V., Kryukova, T. L., Voronina, M. E., Tikhomirova, E. V., Samokhvalova, A. G., & Khazova, S. A. (2021). A decrease in psycho-emotional health in middle-aged Russian women associated with their lifestyle. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 388. Web.

Stephens, K. (2021). Caring for aging parents. Oak street health. Web.

Introduction

Feminism as a social movement that arose to achieve equal rights for women with men has affected not only the social sphere but also other areas. In particular, many supporters of feminism expressed their ideas in creativity, and the world literature knows many examples of works in which the corresponding reasoning is described colorfully and deeply. This work aims to reveal the purpose of feminism through the prism of several literary texts in which the authors sought to convey to the reader the importance of equality and respect for womens rights.

Purpose of Feminism

Feminism, having turned from an idea into a full-fledged social movement, aims to provide women with equal opportunities but not put them above men. In her work, Walker notes that in the era of their mothers and grandmothers, the freedom to paint, to sculpt, to expand the mind with action did not exist (49). In other words, women did not have a chance to express themselves in creativity due to social restrictions and prejudices regarding the clearly defined place of females. While taking into account other restrictions, a whole spectrum of prohibitions resulted in a mass movement. For instance, in one of the stories, Gilman mentions the fact that in Colorado, women have the right to vote, and she presents this with pathos and even surprise (119). Therefore, one cannot assert that only one restriction prompted women to protests. A large number of social constraints that have formed over the centuries have become catalysts for feminism that aims to rid society of relics and prejudices.

Feminist Authors Objectives

One of the key objectives of female authors promoting the ideas of feminism in their literary works is the fight against the foundations of the male-dominated world. For instance, Plath presents her autobiographical story and tells about her experiences of interacting with men whom her older generation perceived as those who could deceive and offend (5). This position was natural, and Walker confirms this in her reasoning by comparing females with slaves who cannot count on an equal social status with men (50). Thus, feminist authors sought to achieve equality as a natural social phenomenon.

Calls to pay attention to the problems of women globally is another objective of feminist authors. Through their literature, they intended to spread the idea of equality and convey to the inhabitants of different countries the thought that society should not adhere to obsolete patriarchal foundations that imposed restrictions on females. Gilman mentions right conditions  proper hours, proper wages, and many other aspects related to the aspects of labor, employment, and social recognition (239). As a result, through the prism of personal experience and vivid descriptions of the existing challenges, the authors have conveyed the idea that the total domination of one gender over the other one is inadmissible. Therefore, both the presented works and other literary texts became catalysts in the struggle of women for equality as an obligatory attribute of an equal society.

Conclusion

The purpose of feminism revealed through literature is to convey the idea of the importance of equalizing women in rights with men. The autobiographical examples and arguments of the presented authors prove the relevance of this movement and its significance in the context of achieving equality in society. Drawing attention to the problem and combating male domination form the basis of feminists creative work and make it possible to describe the existing difficulties and gaps vividly and sharply.

Works Cited

Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Yellow Wall-Paper and Other Stories. Oxford University Press, USA, 1998.

Plath, Sylvia. The Bell Jar. Faber & Faber, 2008.

Walker, Alice. In Search of Our Mothers Gardens. Worlds of Difference: Inequality in the Aging Experience, edited by Eleanor Palo Stoller and Rose Campbell, 3rd ed., Pine Forge Press, 1999, pp. 48-53.

Introduction

A means of information has been collected by bio gerontologists pertaining to changes that occur during aging at various points of biological organization and development. As these aging matters extend to spread and are viewed normally, pathological modifications are being noticed among species. The table below consists of some of the essential classifications of damage to the molecular level as observed and discussed by researchers across the world.

Their biological consequences of the molecular damage are not the same and they vary greatly. Even though the action of damage is really strong, the chemical sequence to determine the damaged molecule and the causes damage. In this process, there are cells that may survive without damage. Significantly, it is very important to notice that it is not a direct and a simple issue to compare any given type of damage and its level in a number of cells to a particular biological outcome. However, one is required to know that the fundamental results of aging come from increased molecular damage and other associated pathogens (Rubin, 2010). This paper gives a review of the chances and mechanisms of molecular damage when one undergoes the aging process, it also elaborates the consequences of the accumulation of molecular damage during the aging period by giving out the strategies pertaining to its intervention and prevention of other diseases related to old age.

Molecular Damage during Aging

Aging begins with the damage of cells in the body caused by various factors. The three common factors are the reaction of cells to oxygen species, free radicals, and reaction to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Oxygen and metals form the other internal factors that bring about aging through damage of cells. The aging process is well captured in the radical theory of aging that was put forward many years ago to explain the process. It came from the aging phenomenon which states that a single common biochemical process may be responsible for aging and even the death of all organisms that live. In fact, a lot of death rate is being caused these molecular level substances. The biochemistry of free radicals is in fact the best theory. Free radical theory of aging (FRTA) is in fact not all that reliable as it lacks incorporation of the main and the beneficial role of the FR (Becker et al., 2009).

As individuals age, the Telomeres become shorter due to various reasons. To begin with, they become shorter following increased inflammation, increased exposure of telomeres to infectious agents in the environment and oxidative stress in the environment of person. These factors lead to the damage of telomeres, a process that affects their functioning in the body (Rubin, 2010). It is important to note that infectious diseases bring about attrition of telomere. Although tests prove that such infections bring about short telomere, further tests are needed to fulfill the hypothesis that attrition of telomere is brought about by infectious diseases.

During aging, mutations too occur. The mutation of DNA is captured in the DNA damage theory, which postulates that during aging, there is the damage of DNA at the nuclear level. The process contributes to aging either directly or indirectly based on other factors. In most cases of aging, it is the damages of the DNA that occurs and it should always be differentiated from the changes of the base sequence of the DNA, which many scholars call mutation. Damage occurs whenever there is the physical alteration of the DNA and may include the single and double strands of the DNA of the aging individual. The damages that are caused to the DNA of the aged population can increase with their age and may lead to loss of cells. However, if it happens in the cells that still exist, it may cause the gene not to express itself. The level of damaged DNA can be detected in the brain, the liver and kidney among other body parts (Frick, 2012).

Despite the scholars putting forward the effect of the damage of DNA on aging, other scholars have argued that aging is a primary outcome of mutation. In the Mitochondrial DNA, mutations are presumed to the major causes of aging as indicated by many studies. The replication of the mitochondrial DNA is done by the polymerase gama, which is an enzyme generated in the cells for the function (Rubin & Babbie, 2010).

Previous studies have postulated that aging can be accelerated by some factors including low economic status of an individual as it is the predisposing factors to diseases. The attrition of telomere is through other factors too such as lifestyle factors, social economic as well as traditional factors. For instance, a low income, poor diet and the tenure of housing affects attrition that is age related in the elderly. Concerning lifestyle, high levels of cholesterol increases the length of telomere attrition.

Methylation is the process through which there is addition of methyl group to an atom in the genes via the catalysis help of enzymes. The methylation [attern of DNA is affected by replicative senescence. However, some scholars report that upon long term culture, methylation levels decrease. Repeated cell cycles reduces the methylation of DNA, which is also an outcome of the maintenance of the methylation process of DNA through DNA methyltransferase 1. As one ages, the level of methylation increases and this could also be responsible to increased aging among individuals.

Virology and Molecular Aging

Aging sometimes is determined by the immune system of the body. If an individual or a particular organism has a strong immune system which is virus free, it will survive for long before it ages. Viruses weaken the immune system of organisms this happens when cells of the body responsible for growth and development are interfered with or permanently damaged. Once the immune system has become weak the organism will also age faster. Viruses cause damage on the cells of organisms and as a result weaken their immune thereby continuously growing weaker and weaker.

The virus causes increase in molecular level thereby enhancing aging among organisms. HIV virus can also make an individual to become old early. The virus interferes with the mitochondrion. Mitochondrion toxicity is immensely caused by the use of drugs like the HIV patients do take. Since mitochondria are known to be the energy stations of the human body, if they are damaged then it means we will not survive for long.

Homeostasis and survival

The living organisms across the world have a fundamental ability to respond and get used to the environmental conditions which can both internal and external.

Traditional concept describes this property by the use of homeostasis which has generally outweighed other disciplines like biology. However, lots of advancements have been made and thereby limiting the accuracy of homeostasis. Nevertheless, it does not also explain to the point of convincing somebody the facts about it (Kenyon, 2012).

Consequences of increased Molecular Level

The well known biological consequences is increased levels of molecular damage are just but so many, for example, alteration of gene expression, mutations and many other forms of disturbances (Kenyon, 2012). The common source for all these consequences is increased molecular level within the body cells of organisms. Since there are low chances that any two molecules will be damaged just in a similar way and extent, an increase in molecular level is inevitable (Kenyon, 2012). For example, if there are thousands of protein molecules translated from a newly formed mRNA, all the molecular heterogeneities will automatically emerge within that given molecular population. This at the end will result in inactive molecules (Kenyon, 2012).

Genetics, post-genetics and epigenetics of Aging

Having known the fact that all molecular levels in all organisms are absolutely based in and regulated by genes, an important research has been at the forefront to discover the number of genes which are responsible for aging and they are called gerontogenes (Petefrs, et al. 2012). On the contrary, the evolving explanation for the beginning of aging and shortened lifespan discussed above have openly ruled out the idea of any specific genetic program involving particular studies related to genes. However, lack of sole purpose of aging and terminating the lifespan of an individual do not really means that specific genes do not occur or on the same note, they cannot influence survival, longevity and even the rate at which organisms age (Petefrs, et al. 2012).

To further these explanations, there is simple evidence from the studies performed on yeast among other organisms including human beings that mutation in various genes can increase or make short the lifespan of living organisms (Peters, et al. 2012). Some of these have been identified as the main sources of premature aging symptoms in human beings appear within the age range of (56-58). In addition, genetic linkage studies of an organism like mouse to stay long have identified the main histo-compatability complex regions. In a wider analysis, it has been discovered that distinct genes which have links to early aging and longevity might show up in a number of biological ranges which are specific to biological pathways like cell metabolism, kinase among others. It is clear that the identification of these genes influencing aging and longevity is that whichever their known function and mechanism of action may be, the gerontogenes do not always cause an accumulation of molecular damage which at the end causes disorders thereby terminating the lifespan of an organism (Peters, et al. 2012).

Most genes if not all have well defined role in the metabolism of various organisms both in inter and intra-cellular cells. These genes do take part in maintenance and repair of the body cells which also include stress reactions. The truth that lies behind all these involves the damages introduced by changes in terms of body regulation within the structures of an organism. These types of genes are called virtual gerontogenes (Peters, et al. 2012).

Implications for aging intervention

Studies that have been previously conducted on aging make it a little different from normal treatment of other diseases (StachoD, et al., 2010). Even though sometimes the worn out tissues might be replaced with the artificial ones which when viewed look more durable, it cannot regulate the underlying tissues by controlling things like hormones, temperature, shock, irradiation, alcohols and food restriction among others. Death is commonly caused by potential damage of the body cells.

Recapitulation

Living organisms survive by their ability to defend, maintain and repair their body cells and tissues. A number of genes interacting within the body results to this type of mechanism which has been discussed above. Successful homeodynamics play a great task for the development and maturation of an organism until that defined time when it will reach its reproduction period. This happens by providing an absolute assertion to continue extending from one generation to the other generations. In short, no living organism can stay for long if its tissues are not replaced and maintained as per requirement of the body. Some defined unified theories of biological aging involving genes do explain the fact that acquiring a definite shape can be the main basis of aging intervention, prevention and the way it should be modulated (StachoD, et al., 2010).

Research Questions

In investigating the molecular basis of aging, we consider how genes determine the lifespan of a mammalian theory on gene support the fact that people with parents who lived long are likely to live long together with their generations, the molecular and physiological changes in the body and the role of DNA in the molecular level of aging. The study will investigate how knowledge can help in prevention of related diseases in aging? (Peters, et al. 2012).

The Aim of Research

The aim of this investigation of aging at molecular level is to investigate whether the research done may also investigate gerontology, the study of the aging process in the aspect of longevity, aging and death. Therefore, research on molecular virology in brief will be examined and entail the molecular basis of viral interaction with their hosts (Zglinicki, 2003). The investigation will also center on the genetic theory telomeres, research on DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) replication in microorganisms and repair of mammalian cells when exposed to damaging agents of DNA signals transduction and Gene regulation, which will basically focus on transcriptional responses and signaling of cells in relation to their environment and to microbial pathogens (StachoD, et al., 2010). The focus will be on Research done by the Department on Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the University of Pittsburgh shows that due to cellular senescence process, most cells cannot divide indefinitely (Kenyon, 2012).

Methodologies

The methods to be used in the research will include both qualitative and quantitative approaches where experiments could also be used to establish the process of aging with regards to involvement of cells (Salkind, 2009).

Expected Outcome

In conclusion, biogerontology aging is mostly concerned with genes, and studies are more focused on biology, chemistry, genetic life extension or anti aging treatments (Wisdom, Cavaleri, Onwuegbuzie & Green, 2012). Some biogerontologists argue that before we can cure aging, we must understand it fully, and due to the remedy of aging. In one of the studies conducted on projection of demographics, it was established that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle usually increase their lifespan as compared to those who do not (Fu, Csanaky & Klaassen, 2012).

References

Becker, M., Kleinsmith, L. J., Hardin, J., & Bertoni, G. P. (2009). The World of the Cell. 7 ed. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

Frick, M. (2012). Building a better hormone therapy? How understanding the rapid effects of sex steroid hormones could lead to new therapeutics for age-related memory decline. Behavioral Neuroscience, 126(1), 29-53.

Fu, Z. D., Csanaky, L., & Klaassen, D. (2012). Gender-divergent profile of bile acid homeostasis during aging of mice. PloS One, 7(3), 504-512.

Gaillard, E., & Hua, F. (2009). Aging in the human lens: molecular level studies of possible mechanisms of damage. Illinois: Northern Illinois University

Kenyon, M. (2012). Healthy Aging in the 22nd Century. Futurist, 46(5), 40-43.

Peters, L. et al. (2012). Lead concentrations in relation to multiple biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: the normative aging study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(3), 361-366.

Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2010). Research methods for social work. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.

Salkind, N. (2009). Exploring research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

StachoD, A., Burdukiewicz, A., Pietraszewska, J., Andrzejewska, J., & Chromik, K. (2010). Biological symptoms of aging in women regarding physical activity and lifestyle. Human Movement, 11(2), 172-178.

Wisdom, P., Cavaleri, A., Onwuegbuzie, J., & Green, A. (2012). Methodological reporting in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods health services research articles. Health Services Research, 47(2), 721-745.

Introduction

There are two categories of theories on ageing namely the damage based theory which explains that aging may be caused by low metabolism or inefficient immune system that occurs over a long period of time. The programmed theory suggests that tough environmental factors may lead to aging and death with the main cause of aging in this theory, genes, determine the lifespan of a mammalian (Frick, 2012). The human being aging is associated with the cellular, molecular and physiological changes of the body, which are characterized by deteriorating homeostatic balance associated with the increasing of neoplasia and other associated diseases (Becker et al., 2009). Aging is associated with the increase of telomere attrition, DNA mutation, and changes in pattern of methylation at the molecular level, which may interfere with the normal function involved in maintenance of genomic integrity, proteins in cellular growth, responses to cellular stress and inflammation according to Dr Sige Zou Phd. In Investigator Functional Geometric Unit research, Gaillard and Hua (2009) describe aging as a biological process that occurs in eukaryotic organisms. Genetic analyses have discovered that mutation in genes can affect the lifespan of an organism (Rubin & Babbie, 2010).

Research Questions

In investigating the molecular basis of aging we consider how genes determine the lifespan of a mammalian theory on gene support the fact that people with parents who lived long are likely to live long together with their generations, The molecular and physiological changes in the body and the role of DNA in the molecular level of aging. The study will investigate how knowledge can help in prevention of related diseases in aging? (Peters, et al. 2012).

The Aim of Research

The aim of this investigation of aging at molecular level is to investigate whether the research done may also investigate gerontology, the study of the aging process in the aspect of longevity, aging and death. Therefore, research on molecular virology in brief will be examined and entail the molecular basis of viral interaction with their hosts (Zglinicki, 2003). The investigation will also center on the genetic theory telomeres, research on DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) replication in microorganisms and repair of mammalian cells when exposed to damaging agents of DNA signals transduction and Gene regulation, which will basically focus on transcriptional responses and signaling of cells in relation to their environment and to microbial pathogens (StachoD, et al., 2010). The focus will be on Research done by the Department on Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in the University of Pittsburgh shows that due to cellular senescence process, most cells cannot divide indefinitely (Kenyon, 2012).

Methodologies

The methods to be used in the research will include both qualitative and quantitative approaches where experiments could also be used to establish the process of aging with regards to involvement of cells (Salkind, 2009).

Expected Outcome

In conclusion, biogerontology aging is mostly concerned with genes, and studies are more focused on biology, chemistry, genetic life extension or anti aging treatments (Wisdom, Cavaleri, Onwuegbuzie & Green, 2012). Some biogerontologists argue that before we can cure aging, we must understand it fully, and due to the remedy of aging. In one of the studies conducted on projection of demographics, it was established that people who maintain a healthy lifestyle usually increase their lifespan as compared to those who do not (Fu, Csanaky & Klaassen, 2012).

References

Becker, M., Kleinsmith, L. J., Hardin, J. & Bertoni, G. P. (2009). The World of the Cell. 7 ed. San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.

Frick, M. (2012). Building a better hormone therapy? How understanding the rapid effects of sex steroid hormones could lead to new therapeutics for age-related memory decline. Behavioral Neuroscience, 126(1), 29-53.

Fu, Z. D., Csanaky, L., & Klaassen, D. (2012). Gender-divergent profile of bile acid homeostasis during aging of mice. PloS One, 7(3), 504-512.

Gaillard, E. & Hua, F. (2009). Aging in the human lens: molecular level studies of possible mechanisms of damage. Illinois: Northern Illinois University

Kenyon, M. (2012). Healthy Aging in the 22nd Century. Futurist, 46(5), 40-43.

Peters, L. et al. (2012). Lead concentrations in relation to multiple biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: the normative aging study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(3), 361-366

Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (2010). Research methods for social work. New York, NY: Cengage Learning.

Salkind, N. (2009). Exploring research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

StachoD, A., Burdukiewicz, A., Pietraszewska, J., Andrzejewska, J. & Chromik, K. (2010). Biological symptoms of aging in women regarding physical activity and lifestyle. Human Movement, 11(2), 172-178.

Wisdom, P., Cavaleri, A., Onwuegbuzie, J. & Green, A. (2012). Methodological reporting in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods health services research articles. Health Services Research, 47(2), 721-745

Zglinicki, T. (2003). Aging at the molecular level. New York, NY: Springer.

Over the past few decades, the birth rate in the world has been steadily declining while life expectancy has been growing. The aging population is one of four global demographic trends, along with population growth, international migration, and urbanization, which have a long-term impact on the development of the world. In the case where such tendencies cannot be researched and taken control of, they lead to devastating consequences for the economy. For instance, the increase in the aging population can cause a reduction in the share of the working-age population, which also leads to a decrease in productivity. In addition, supporting the older generation with pensions and social security systems may become too burdensome for the government. As a result, the task of caring for them can fall entirely on the shoulders of individual households. For this reason, the importance of studying the issues of the aging population cannot be overestimated since it can help to examine its impact in different fields and provide solutions. The purpose of this paper is to investigate not only this topic but also to conduct a thorough literature search that could be used in researching this matter.

Demographic changes have significant economic and social impacts on labor markets, goods and services, social protection and health care, and the pension system. The research conducted by Pham and Vo (2015), for instance, studies the effect of an aging population on economic growth in 84 developing countries in the period 19712015 (p. 1). According to the results, in the long run, it certainly has a negative outcome; however, there could be an optimistic conclusion due to a positive connection between economic performance and the aging population. The reason for this is that older workers are often promoted into positions that require greater cognitive skills. Due to this, the earnings of people over 50 are growing faster than those of their young colleagues. In addition, the wealth of older people is increasing because they have fewer opportunities to spend money. In other words, it creates a situation where one generation is richer than the other.

Another negative consequence of this demographic trend is the decrease in the amount of working power. The consequence of the decline in the working-age population is a decrease in labor productivity and total savings, which means a slowdown in investment, demand, and economic growth. Therefore, the pension system, health care, and social protection will require additional resources. At the same time, the number of employees and the amount of taxes and insurance contributions will decrease. This will create a significant burden on the governmental budget.

The aging of the population presents healthcare systems with an unprecedented challenge. The reason for this is the fact that previous medical practices had developed in different conditions when the main efforts were aimed at protecting the younger age groups, especially children. As was stated earlier, the growth of the elderly population requires a significant increase in health care costs. This is explained by the fact that it worsens the heterogeneous epidemiological situation with disease and disability that require the health system to be a continuous and multidisciplinary organization (Miranda et al., 2016, p. 508). This particular research increases awareness about these issues and suggests financing support structures and inventing policies regarding public service that could help with the situation.

As the population grows older, the government must invest more in prevention, early detection, and treatment of all serious diseases such as diabetes, dementia, Alzheimers disease, heart disease, or cancer. Given the need to reduce costs per patient, one can conclude that the need to reduce costs will spur the development of technology. All this will require a significant restructuring of health care, which will affect the structure of training, medical specialties, medical institutions, and the organization of medical care. Moreover, there is no doubt that the governments structures must be prepared for an increase in health care costs.

Researchers that investigate this issue also present other challenges regarding the aging population. For example, Bloom et al. see the problem in the fact that our current institutional and social arrangements are unsuited for aging populations and shifting demographics (p. 91). For this reason, this study can be helpful in investigating this problem since, aside from pointing out the challenges, it also provides a solution that could change current social arrangements. For instance, it is necessary to create a system that is constantly responsive to the needs of the elderly population. Moreover, it is vital to ensure constant control over the quality of assistance and services that are provided to them.

In conclusion, it would appear that the social science issue of the aging population certainly needs more attention from scholars. This problem can be explored from a variety of topics, including its impact on the economy, the healthcare system, and social arrangements. However, aside from investigating it, the next step should be providing proper solutions that could decrease the negative influence of this social phenomenon. This would be a prolonged process, and it would take decades to see the effect of the suggested policies, but social issues could only be resolved by actions.

References

Bloom, D. E., Canning, D., & Lubet, A. (2015). Global population aging: Facts, challenges, solutions & perspectives. Daedalus, 144(2), 80-92.

Miranda, G. M. D., Mendes, A. D. C. G., & Silva, A. L. A. D. (2016). Population aging in Brazil: current and future social challenges and consequences. Revista Brasileira de Geriatria e Gerontologia, 19(3), 507-519.

Pham, T. N., & Vo, D. H. (2019). Aging Population and Economic Growth in Developing Countries: A Quantile Regression Approach. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 1-15.

Introduction

Society is one of the most dynamic systems in which people rapidly change their social groups and, in most cases, become more vulnerable. This paper, using groups such as children and aging adults as examples, will reveal existing problems and suggest solutions. The most vulnerable period of a persons life is childhood because children primarily depend on others for their basic needs. Children separated from their caregivers or parents are vulnerable. Moreover, the elderly in society are considered a vulnerable group even when the older adult is in a complete mental state, and most aging adults cannot take care of themselves. The essay describes the challenges, experiences, and strengths of two different selected vulnerable groups. This essay will demonstrate factors about these groups that may have existed before the trauma and may lead to problems. It is essential to show that injustice and rejection are things that can and should be addressed through quality health care for vulnerable social groups.

The Challenges Children Face as a Vulnerable Group

Children are often considered vulnerable because their innocence and fragility are susceptible to exploitation and abuse. They are more susceptible to disease, malnutrition, and abuse than adult members of society and are overrepresented among the disadvantaged. In war zones, children experience sexual violence and abuse (Hamilton & Tidmarsh, 2022). The conflict encountered in war zones contributes to hunger and diseases, leading to many children suffering. Some of the children end up dying due to attacks from illnesses and hunger (Çelik & Özp1nar, 2017). Further, children are abducted and coerced into armed forces in which they are trained to carry out attacks and wars. Children on the battlefield are deprived of living or experiencing the typical childhood life.

In addition, there are cases where children are denied access to health care and education because they are dependent on their guardians or parents for social protection. In Africa, many children living in persistent conflict areas are escalating, and their education and health are deteriorating daily (Denov, 2020). The loss of guardians or parents to cancer or AIDs may have serious implications for children s access to basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, education, and health. Poverty negatively influences children because they are deprived of their fundamental needs for protection, survival, development, and participation. The abject poverty has contributed to most poor non-parents typically opting to release vulnerable children they are taking care of to work for people as houseboys or maids to generate some money leading to child labor. Vulnerable children have no alternative but are given out to wealthy friends or relatives in exchange for their upkeep or to fulfill unpaid loans other than attending school. The vulnerable children experience the issue of discipline cases because many of them are mentally influenced because of many issues they experience in life.

Strengths Children Have in a Case Study

Children gain their strengths from social protection that targets and assist them in attaining their basic needs, establishing their human capital, conquering obstacles to access services, and reinforcing families aptitude to care for children. This social protection strengthens caregivers, who can be grandparents, parents, or other guardians, to fulfill the needs of children and to support these children to have access to education, health, and care services. For example, the case of the South Africa Child Support Grant for vulnerable children and orphans influences minimizing risk behavior and sexual maltreatment and delaying sexual debut (Bello & Pillay, 2019). Further, there is substantial proof that cash transfers in different nations have had positive influences on school attendance and enrolment. In the long-term, proof of the influence of conditional cash grants in Latin America gets that programs assist vulnerable children to attain better grades and support the attainment of higher schooling levels.

The Challenges Aging Adults Face as a Vulnerable Group

Aging adults face several challenges comprising lack of access to constant income, healthcare, and work; decreasing mental and physical capacities; and dependency in the household. Having no work or income, aging adults will have to depend on other people for their upkeep and survival. In addition, they typically have a higher need for healthcare services and domestic assistance, and they experience the challenge of shifting the illness burden. Older women, mostly window in African countries, have high susceptibilities because they have no assets, land rights, or mobility to look for employment due to cultural beliefs and norms. Aging people experience a challenge with daily mobility and activities because individuals dexterity and mobility naturally decrease as they age, making it more challenging to complete daily activities.

Strengths Aging Adults Have in a Case Study

The aging populations interaction with social protection programs is typically in the sort of the old-aged pension or cash transfer sort. The contributory pensions in the middle and low-income nations are limited because they depend on formal employment, and rates of coverage are low. Nonetheless, substantial progress has been established in expanding the pension coverage system with an observable trend in these developing nations. Currently, approximately all Latin American nations have social pensions, while Sub-Saharan African economies experience some of the biggest old-aged social pension processes based on the share of senior citizens covered. Hence, social pensions resolve the gap for underprivileged aging people, specifically women. In addition, older people can also care for their grandchildren; hence, they get child benefits for them. Further, more support through social protection for aging people has been established to enable them to live independently via programs and products that center on balance, safety, mobility, and fitness to guarantee they may continue to flourish as individuals.

Factors about Children that Contribute to Challenges

Maltreatment comprising violent punishment that entails physical, psychological, and sexual violence can contribute to trauma among children leading to challenges in their lives. In addition, neglect of children and infants by caregivers, parents, and other figures of authority in society. Another factor is bullying by a group of children or another child who are neither romantic, nor does sibling association with the victim contribute to them having issues. Psychological violence comprises restriction of the childs movements, intimidation and threats, denigration, discrimination, ridicule, denunciation, and other non-physical acts of hostile treatment. Sexual violence contributes to their challenges as it involves attempted sexual acts and contacts of a sexual nature.

Older adults risk aspects that contribute to their challenges involve an increase in physical health conditions/problems. For example, they are prone to non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimers illness. In addition, older people experience losses where they lose independence, relationships, self-worth, work and income, flexibility, and mobility contributing to their social isolation. Aging people have a significant change in their living arrangements, for example, the shift from living independently to the home care environment.

How Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups Face Unfair Treatment after Trauma

Inequality and discrimination limit every spectrum of life opportunities for marginalized and vulnerable groups. After trauma, psychological distress and perceived discrimination among these groups have been persistently demonstrated to be associated with poorer mental health and well-being (Matheson et al., 2019). They have unfavorable outcomes in the availability of appropriate health care compared to others in the community because they live in difficult circumstances. These groups are excluded from critical services because of age, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

Ways to Increase Access to Quality Care for Vulnerable Groups

The following are ways to make quality care more accessible to these groups. Strengthening social determinants to support healthy lifestyles. Providers need to address the social determinants of health through a sequence of steps that includes proactive services and patient screening (Rootman et al., 2021). Governments must adopt practices that improve access to care, including addressing low health literacy and illiteracy, expanding the range of services offered, identifying cost-effective resources, and improving the patient-caregiver relationship. In addition, a modern system of care, nursing, and counseling in the health care field must be created. This aspect will make it possible to digitize the medical field and provide services to all in need regardless of age and other factors. The new system will make it possible to seek help not only offline but also online, which will make services more accessible and of higher quality. Each method will be effective and essential for creating a safe environment for vulnerable social groups.

Conclusion

Vulnerable groups in society experience many challenges in life that have dire consequences on their well-being. They, for example, experience malnutrition, disease, and maltreatment. They may face the challenge of lack of education and poor healthcare due to reliance on substance abuse caregivers. In addition, aging adults experience challenges in life such as shifting health burdens, low income, and a higher need for domestic assistance influence their well-being. However, the emergence of social protection programs in many countries has come to the aid of these vulnerable groups and addressed some of the challenges they are facing.

References

Bello, T., & Pillay, J. (2019). Development and implementation of an evidence-based nutrition education programme for orphans and vulnerable children in Soweto, South Africa, 1(3), 1-18. Web.

Çelik, N., & Özp1nar, S. (2017). Children and health effects of war being a war child& Cumhuriyet Medical Journal, 639-643. Web.

Denov, M. (2020). Children born of war in northern Uganda. Handbook of Political Violence and Children, 1(4), 276-300. Web.

Hamilton, G., & Tidmarsh, P. (2022). Children, family violence, and sexual abuse. The Intersections of Family Violence and Sexual Offending, 3(2), 71-85. Web.

Matheson, K., Foster, M. D., Bombay, A., McQuaid, R. J., & Anisman, H. (2019). Traumatic experiences, perceived discrimination, and psychological distress among members of various socially marginalized groups. Frontiers in Psychology, 10. Web.

The brain is one of the most vulnerable parts of the human body under the influence of time. Age-related changes in the brain are a gradual decrease in mental performance due to violations of the structure of nerve cells, intercellular connections, and a decrease in the volume of gray matter. Changes occur at all levels, from tissues to molecules. In youth, this process is invisible because the brain is plastic, and some elements are important for the brain to recover much faster. Over time, age-related changes are more noticeable, and people remember and concentrate worse, study slower and make mistakes more often in everyday affairs.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that cognitive functions can be given up. As practice shows, in adulthood, people perform a test for verbal abilities and spatial thinking better than young people. Age-related changes are the same common process as graying hair or decreasing visual acuity and hearing. It can be noted that age-related changes in mind activity occur in everyone, regardless of gender, social status, and several other characteristics, but manifest themselves in different forms.

Moreover, several scientifically proven ways to significantly slow down the aging process. For example, a recent study has shown that removing old cells from tissues is a completely new and effective way to slow aging (Henderson, 2021). The published research results represent a fresh view of the development of more high-quality methods of treating the consequences caused by age-related changes.

Additionally, for the current period, there is a fairly wide range of medicines and dietary supplements in the world, which, according to manufacturers, contribute to improving mental abilities, memory, and attention. In fact, only a small part of them is proven and reliable. For instance, B vitamins, fish oils, ginkgo Biloba, PQQ, acetyl-L-carnitine, resveratrol, curcumin, and others are the best time-tested supplements to fight against the effects of aging.

Reference

Henderson, E. (2021). Researchers develop a new method to remove old cells from tissues to slow down aging. News-Medical.Net. Web.