In this article, we are going to be talking about aging process and all the theories related to aging definition.
As maturity occurs, certain changes are seen to affect most people, although it is very clear that they are individual differences I the precise changes that occurs in aging. Due to these individual differences, many academic disciplines try to define aging as they understand it. Let us take a look at some of the definitions of Aging
Biological Definition of Aging
Aging according to this concept is referred to the changes in structure and functions of the body that occur over the life span. This includes all the changes that occur in an individual due to biological activities of the cells, tissues, organs and the system of the body over the life span.
Functional Definition of Aging
Aging according to this school of thought refers to the capacities of individual function in the society when compared with those of others of the same age. Here societal productivity is used to define the age of an individual. This implies that it is the society that determines whether one is elderly or not.
Read Also: Physiological Changes In The Elderly That Affect Drug Use
Psychological Definition of Aging
Aging according to this school of thought is referred to behavioural changes, alteration in self-perception and reactions to the biological changes that occur in the body of the individual over time. In this case it is the attitude of the individual that determines his/her age.
Sociological Definition Of Aging
Aging according to this school of thought is referred to the roles and social habits of the individual in the society. This definition is closely related to functional aging.
Aging Process
Aging is a developmental stage and like any other developmental stage, it is a linear process. This implies that one does not suddenly become old at age 65, rather a series of change will begin before 65 years that will eventually make the individual old at the age of 65.
It is the same rate a 35-year-old individual ages, that an 85-year-old individual ages. What makes an 85-year-old aging looks faster is the amount of psychological, social and biological losses that occurs to that individual.
The age at which many people retire from active employment is also when other life-events such as physical illness begin to make their appearance with greater frequency.
Aging is defined as a progressive unfavorable loss of adaptation and a decreasing expectation loss of life with the passage of time that is expressed in measurement as decreased viability and vulnerability of normal forces of mortality.
We hope this information was helpful. Feel free to ask your questions in the comment section below.
