Understanding Aging: Factors, Characteristics, and Care Models

Factors Influencing Aging

The changes attributable to age are due to the interrelationship between functional and anatomical brain structures. These include:

• Changes in cognitive function (intelligence, memory, problem-solving, creativity).
• Changes in emotional state (loss of experience, motivation, personality).
• Social roles that society designates and that individuals must develop according to age. Certain roles conflict with chronological age.

It is important to distinguish between true aging and "fake aging." Fake aging refers to differences between young and old that are not motivated by deterioration over time but by factors such as:

• Effects of societal development
• Brainpower
• Culture
• Habits related to social attitudes of health maintenance

Theories of Aging

Many theories in the past century have tried to explain the causes of aging. Some prominent theories include:

• Wear and Tear Theory
• Organic Theory
• Autointoxication Theory
• Autoimmune Theory
• Free Radicals Theory
• Biological Clock or Genetic Programming Theory
• Depletion of Genetic Material Theory

Psychological and social theories of aging include:

• Disengagement Theory
• Activity Theory
• Interactionist Theory
• Continuity Theory

Factors Contributing to Aging

Aging is a consequence of a process of demographic transition, which is the final stage of falling birth rates and mortality. Factors that have led to increased life expectancy include:

• Changes in lifestyle
• Improved diet
• Environmental and economic conditions
• Impact of advances in medicine
• Educational improvement

The drop in fertility is another critical factor. The decline in birth rate means an automatic reduction of the base of population pyramids.

Effects of Aging

• Changes in the labor market
• Changes in healthcare needs
• Leisure and tourism services
• Changes in the personal distribution of wealth

Characteristics of the Elderly Population

Sex

The number of older women is more than one million greater than men. In the octogenarian age group, the relationship is even more unbalanced, with two out of every three being women. Women are more numerous among the elderly and are often vulnerable potential users of social services programs.

Age

The Hispanic population is not only aging but also experiencing a shift in the age structure of the elderly. In other words, aging within the elderly population is occurring.

Marital Status

Most older men are married. Widowhood is more widespread among those older than 70 years. Many women are widowed and living alone. Women are widowed due to their greater longevity and the social custom of many years of separation between men and women when they marry.

Foreign Residents

The largest foreign resident population in the Balearic Islands is experiencing a significant increase. In 1999, it was estimated at nearly 20,000 people. In the future, this can impact the use of different social and/or health services.

Models of Care in Old Age

The increasing difficulty in meeting the needs of seniors has led to debates about different models of care. In Spain, the gerontological plan includes guidelines to follow. Models of protection for dependent persons, although difficult to link, approach any of the following paradigms:

• The paradigm of public protection
• The model based on social initiative
• The model based predominantly on the market
• The model based on informal support

Interactive Model

The interactive model proposes that when a person is at risk of losing independence, they may receive several grants:

• Lives in a house that has been adapted to their limitations.
• Receives a call from their son in the morning to check on them.
• Tidies up the house with the help of 'home help'.
• Is accompanied by a friend to a day center (rehabilitation, games, activity).
• Receives food supplied by a neighboring child for a week.
• Receives a visit from a volunteer to read to them because of vision problems.
• Has dinner with their grandson when he comes to get supper and helps them get ready for bed.
• Has contracted a telephone helpline.
• Spends fifteen days of vacation with their son and another fifteen in a temporary residence.
• Goes to a spa once a year.