1. Vaunette Payton Fay, Ph.D.
Theories of Aging
Vaunette Payton Fay, Ph.D.

2. “Everyman desires to live long, but no man would be old.”
Johnathan Swift,

3. Theories of Aging Biological Theories
address the anatomic and physiologic changes occurring with age.
Psycho-Social Theories
explain the thought processes and behaviors of aging persons.

5. Biological Theories of Aging
Genetic Theories
Gene
Error
Somatic mutation
Programmed
Nongenetic Theories
Immunologic / Autoimmune
Free Radical
Wear & Tear
Cross link or Collagen

6. Psycho-Social Theories of Aging
Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Continuity Theory

7. Disengagement Theory developed by Cummings and Henry in late 1950’s.
“aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between the aging person and others in the social system he/she belongs to.”

8. Activity Theory developed by Robert Havighurst in the 1960’s.
supports the maintenance of regular activities, roles, and social pursuits.
persons who achieve optimal age are those who stay active.
as roles change, the individual finds substitute activities for these roles.

9. Continuity Theory
proposed by Havighurst and co-workers in reaction to the disengagement theory
“basic personality, attitudes, and behaviors remain constant throughout the life span”

10. “ENJOY THE BALLET, LORETTA ….AND TRY TO SELL MY TICKET.”

11. ??????????????????????????????
What is the relevance of the biological and psychosocial theories of aging to nursing?

12. Developmental Tasks of Aging

13. Developmental Task
an activity or event that arises at a certain period in the life of an individual
successful achievement leads to happiness, growth, and success with later tasks
failure leads to unhappiness, disapproval by society, and difficulty with later tasks
(Havighurst, 1972)

14. What are some important roles that older individuals fulfill?
??????????????????????????????
What are some important roles that older individuals fulfill?

15. Erickson’s Developmental Stages
Young Adulthood (20-30)
- Intimacy vs. Isolation
Middle Adulthood (30-60)
- Generativity vs. Stagnation
Older Adulthood (60+)
- Integrity vs. Despair
Area of Resolution and Behavior:
Intimacy - capacity for relationships
vs.
Isolation - impersonal relations

16. Peck’s Developmental Tasks of Aging
Ego Differentiation vs. Work-Role Preoccupation
Body Transcendence vs. Body Preoccupation
Ego Transcendence vs. Ego Preoccupation
(Peck, 1968)

17. Havighurst’s Developmental Tasks of Aging
Adjusting to decreasing physical strength and health
Adjusting to retirement and reduced income
Establishing an affilitation with one’s age group
Meeting civic and social obligations
Establishing satisfactory living arrangements
Adjusting to death of spouse

19. ??????????????????????????????
What are factors which influences a person’s success at achieving developmental tasks?

20. Nursing Interventions
How can nurses assist elders accomplish developmental tasks?
encourage clients to maintain and establish roles and relationships
offer maximum opportunities for decision making
build on client’s unique interests ands skills
listen to client’s concerns
promote reminiscence (Eliopoulas,1995)

21. Common Psychosocial Changes
Assume Grandparent Role
Adjust to Retirement
Increase Volunteer Activity
Maintain or Develop New Interests
Cope with Death of Spouse, or S.O.
Adjust to Change in Intimacy & Sexuality
Cope with Relocation
Cope with Losses

22. Coping with Psychosocial Changes & Developmental Crises
Support System
Community Resources
Counseling
Prayer/Religion

23. Spirituality and Religiosity
These concepts are frequently confused.
Studies have found that nurses tend to avoid addressing spiritual needs of patients.

24. Spirituality is the: “totality of man’s inner resources,
the ultimate concerns around which all other values are focused,
the central philosophy of life that guides conduct,
and the meaning-giving center of human life which influences all individual and social behavior” (Moberg, 1979)
“trust & faith in a power greater than oneself”
(levin & Taylor, 1997)

25. Religion is: only one aspect of spirituality;
an organized practice of beliefs;
may or may not fill an individual’s spiritual needs eg. spiritual needs are much broader & more personal than any particular religious persuasion

26. Church and Synagogue Attendance is:
Lowest among those in their 30’s,
Peaks in the late 50’s - early 60’s,
Declines in late 60’s and early 70’s, however 65+ are the most likely to belong to church-affiliated groups

27. Research Findings:
Black women tend to be significantly more religious than black men and whites of both genders (Levin & Taylor, 1993).
Involvement in church activities tended to increase self-esteem (Krause, 1995).
Religious preference & practice were inversely related to depressive symptomatology (Kennedy, 1996).
Persons who attended religious services had lower mortality (Oman & Reed, 1998).

28. Nursing Interventions that enhances the spirituality of clients:
Presence and acceptance
Active Listening & Touch
Value clarification
Discuss pt’s. source of strength & instill hope
Conduct a spiritual assessment
Call/make referral to clergy
Pray, or obtain religious articles (Poncar,94; MacLennan & Tsai, 95)