What are the Stages Of Aging Process? Aging is a natural process of growth, that we experience since birth. While you are getting old, you may feel a lot of changes going on throughout your body. This actually us queries, What aging process is?
In this article, we will explore the aspects of aging which occur biologically, Physically, and Socially!
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What is aging?
Aging is a continuous process, from birth to death, as time passes and the person matures and experiences the world around them. This span, from our first breath to the last one is called aging. We undergo several physical, psychological, and social changes during the process of aging.
There are two kinds of people. Those who take good care of themselves and delay the aging process and those who spend life carelessly and face difficulties in the last days of their lives. In this article, we will share some tips to make your life better.
Despite being fearful or worried about the aging process, it’ll be better to be productive and accept the changes that occur.
When does a person become ‘old’?
When does a person become ‘old’? A question that might trigger your mind frequently. When a person crosses the age of 60-65, he is considered to be old and may retire from his/her work. But is it really so?
Well, in my opinion, a person becomes ‘old’ when his heart becomes ‘old’, i.e; when he loses hope. 60 or 65 is just a number, it tells nothing about the feelings and abilities of a person.
The aspects of getting old described below may seem to occur when you cross the age of 80.
What happens when a person becomes old?
As time passes and the person becomes old, he might encounter certain changes. The older adult may experience those which can be seen i.e, physical changes, and those which can’t be seen, i.e, internal bodily changes. These changes, differ from one person to another. Chronic diseases are more prevalent in the elderly.
Biological Aspects of Aging
Muscles:
Muscles lose mass and tone. This change can be observed prominently in the looseness of underarms skin, thinning of legs, etc. While regular exercise can help reduce this effect.
Skeleton:
Our skeleton weakens and the spongy material ‘cushion’ between our vertebrae flattens and loses its pliability. The height of the person shortens and gets a stooped posture. While simple posture exercises can help reduce this effect.
Skin:
Several changes can be noticed in the skin:
- The skin loses elastin and collagen (elastic tissue) which results in wrinkles.
- The epidermis of the skin becomes thin which makes the skin more transparent.
- Skin becomes more fragile.
- Fatty tissues below your skin decrease.
- Skin becomes bruised easily
- Skin tags and dark spots become common.
- Production of sebum decreases.
Mouth:
Secretion of saliva decreases which results in the dryness of the mouth. Gums become weak and of which people lose some or all of their teeth. Your jaws shrink and you can notice some change in the shape of your mouth.
Taste:
Changes in taste occur due to decreased amounts of taste buds, mostly in males. Bitter and sour tastes decrease slowly while sweet and salty tastes decline first. After a certain age, you might be unable to distinguish between tastes.
Smell:
Sense of smell decreases. Some may lose the sense of smell as they age.
Vision:
The sense of vision begins to weaken. You might find things getting blurred. There are a lot more eye disorders that can be encountered.
- The pupil becomes smaller, allowing less light to enter the eye. Older people need more light to see than younger people.
- It might become difficult to distinguish between colors.
- Changes in depth perception occur.
- You might find it difficult to focus on smaller objects.
Hearing:
Sense of hearing decreases as you age. It becomes difficult to hear what the others are saying. Sometimes you might be able to listen but could not understand.
Circulatory System:
The heart weakens and its capacity to pump decreases. Circulation of blood decreases due to the blockage in veins or arteries. The person may undergo certain cardiovascular problems.
Digestive System:
Digestion slows as you age. More water gets absorbed from food waste because our system slows down which results in constipation. Chocking of food becomes frequent due to decreased gag reflex.
Urinary System:
There could be several changes in the urinary system:
- The bladder weakens and the person can’t hold his urine for a long time as he could do at a younger age.
- · Urination becomes more frequent as the bladder can’t stretch much and holds less urine.
- · As the bladder weakens it can’t be fully emptied which may lead to urinary infections.
Reproductive System:
The ability of females to be fertile diminishes (menopause), shrinking the ovaries, and the vaginal secretions diminishes. In males, the mass of testicular tissue decreases and the level of sex hormones (testosterone) decreases, reducing the sex drive. The number of sperms decreases and the frequency, length, and stiffness of erections decrease.
Psychological Aspects of Aging
Memory:
As the person ages, his short-term memory decreases. Events that recently occurred become difficult to remember. You must write notes to remember important things and to deal with this problem.
Adaptation to Change:
All of us experience changes throughout our lives. Nothing stays forever. It is difficult for older people to adopt the change. They become stubborn. Their ability to understand things decreases. They take more time or more information to understand a situation.
Intelligence:
Intelligence does not really decreases as the person ages.
Sociological Aspects of Aging
Dependency:
A person may sometimes depend on their loved ones as he ages because he acts like a child and becomes stubborn. Well, that doesn’t mean he can’t make all the decisions or he needs someone to support him financially. They need to be encouraged by their family members to do their work themselves as more as possible so it’ll help them become more independent.
A steady, progressive reduction in physiological performance may occur as you depend increasingly on others to help you with the activities of daily living, like cooking, cleaning, and shopping.
Crisis Management:
It is better to not just throw a stressful situation. One must just discuss the subject of the crisis with the older person to prepare him mentally and discuss it in detail later on.
Limitations:
Familial support, to older people, is limited, financially and emotionally. Middle-aged couples have many responsibilities other than their parents, so it becomes difficult for them to manage time for all their priorities. Well, one must give time and love to older people.
Loses:
Every one of us loses things in life, whether it be objects, memory loss, cognitive decline, relations, abilities, or opportunities. One must accept the loss in order to overcome it. Grief and anger are the two reactions to a loss. Both of the reactions are natural and may be expressed in different ways.
Death:
Death is a bitter truth of this world. We came into the world and it is obvious that one day we have to leave it. Everyone has to die, it is natural. The 5 major reactions to death are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Not every person always experiences these stages or experiences them in the order listed.
What Can You Do?
- Eat a healthy diet, incorporating high fiber, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes grains, and seeds. This is crucial in avoiding health problems in the future.
- Improve mental health, and engage in Crossword Puzzled and Adult Coloring.
- Seek emotional support In order to successfully manage the difficulties of aging, it is essential to ask friends, family members, caretakers, therapists, or home health aides for assistance.
- Maintain regular health check ups with your physician or at a clinic.
- At this point, a senior cannot safely live alone without assistance every day. With in-home nursing, other community-based programs like Meals on Wheels delivery, or with daily visits from a family caregiver, he or she may still be able to age in place.
- Being physically active can improve cognitive health, balance, and endurance, as well as prevent, delay, and manage chronic diseases.
Why is research on aging important?
Many physiological changes are connected to aging. To foresee, recognize, and if appropriate, handle these changes, research is required.
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Take Away!
Aging is a natural process of getting old. No one could escape from this. We experience certain changes in our bodies during the process of aging. Healthy aging for older adults depends on more than just physical health. Also, they must continue to have a good outlook on getting older.
People assume that being old means being weak, dependent, and ill, which may lead to many psychological disorders, but not for everyone. People who take care of themselves, exercise regularly, take healthy diets, and proper sleep in their younger age can reduce these aspects of aging and might increase their lifespan.
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