Chapter 16: aging

Question 1

What is aging?

Answer 1

Aging is the process of becoming older, influenced by genetics and environment.

Question 2

How can optimizing wellness during young adulthood affect aging?

Answer 2

Optimizing wellness during young adulthood allows greater control over the physical and mental aspects of aging.

Question 3

Define life expectancy.

Answer 3

Life expectancy is the average length of time a person is expected to live.

Question 4

What is the life expectancy for Canadian men?

Answer 4

The life expectancy for Canadian men is approximately 80 years.

Question 5

What is the life expectancy for Canadian women?

Answer 5

The life expectancy for Canadian women is approximately 84 years.

Question 6

By how much is the older adult population in Canada expected to grow in 20 years?

Answer 6

68%

Question 7

What is lifespan?

Answer 7

Lifespan is the theoretically projected length of life based on the maximum potential of the human body in an optimal environment.

Question 8

What factors contribute to determining an individual’s lifespan?

Answer 8

Several factors contribute to determining lifespan, including genetics, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, access to healthcare, and advancements in medical technology.

Question 9

Does lifespan guarantee a high quality of life throughout its duration?

Answer 9

No, lifespan focuses on the duration of life rather than ensuring a high quality of life, and it doesn’t guarantee overall well-being.

Question 10

What is health span?

Answer 10

Health span is the period of life when a person is generally healthy and free from chronic or serious disease.

Question 11

What factors influence health span?

Answer 11

Lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, stress management, and preventive healthcare measures, along with genetics, play a crucial role in determining health span.

Question 12

How does health span differ from lifespan in terms of focus?

Answer 12

Health span is more concerned with the individual’s well-being and functionality, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good health and preventing chronic illnesses for a higher quality of life.

Question 13

What is the relationship between lifespan and health span?

Answer 13

There is an overlap between lifespan and health span, with the goal being to extend both. A longer lifespan is more meaningful when accompanied by an extended period of good health.

Question 14

What percentage of healthcare services in Canada was spent on adults aged 65 and above in 2021?

Answer 14

45% (or $139 billion) of healthcare services in Canada was spent on adults aged 65 and above.

Question 15

What is the estimated percentage of Canada’s population aged 65 and above by the year 2051?

Answer 15

It is estimated that 25% of Canada’s population (~12 million people) will be aged 65 and above by the year 2051.

Question 16

What do gerontologists study?

Answer 16

Gerontologists study the biological, psychological, and social phenomena associated with aging and old age.

Question 17

What is the role of geriatricians?

Answer 17

Geriatricians are physicians specializing in the diseases, disabilities, and care of older adults.

Question 18

How do physical and mental changes occur as we age?

Answer 18

Physical and mental changes occur gradually over time, much like how a plant grows a little each day.

Question 19

Why is preparation important for successful aging?

Answer 19

To age well and be happy and healthy, it’s important to plan and take steps ahead of time, similar to preparing for a journey by making choices for a healthier life.

Question 20

What is the importance of establishing good health habits in teens and twenties for aging?

Answer 20

The habits developed in teens and twenties can have a significant impact on health later in life, laying the foundation for a healthier and more active life as we age.

Question 21

What lifestyle behaviors can lead to aging?

Answer 21

Smoking, being overweight, a sedentary lifestyle, and chronic stress are lifestyle behaviors that can lead to aging.

Question 22

How can everyday actions contribute to age-proofing and improve wellness?

Answer 22

Everyday actions, like eating well, exercising, managing stress, and staying mentally active, contribute to age-proofing and overall well-being.

Question 23

What is the connection between mental activity and dementia risk?

Answer 23

Older adults who stay mentally active have a lower risk of developing dementia, which is a decline in memory, cognitive function, and daily activities.

Question 24

How can exercise be beneficial in warding off disease and promoting healthy aging?

Answer 24

Regular exercise is essential for healthy aging, as it enhances both psychological and physical health, helping to prevent the consequences of aging and maintaining overall well-being.

Question 25

What are some recommendations for a healthy diet and aging?

Answer 25

Eat a varied diet full of nutrient-rich foods, include Vitamin D and calcium for strong bones, and emphasize protein consumption while limiting sodium intake.

Question 26

Why is maintaining a healthy weight important for aging individuals?

Answer 26

Weight management is crucial for aging individuals, as obesity rates are high, and it helps in avoiding problems associated with aging.

Question 27

How can alcohol consumption affect aging individuals?

Answer 27

Alcohol abuse can lead to health problems in aging individuals, including misdiagnosis of Alzheimer's and dementia, emphasizing the importance of moderate drinking.

Question 28

What are some lifestyle practices for dealing with stress and promoting healthy aging?

Answer 28

Recognizing and reducing stress, inducing stress appropriately, and maintaining consistent healthy behaviors contribute to long and well-lived lives.

Question 29

How can individuals adapt to social changes in retirement?

Answer 29

Adapting to social changes involves understanding changing roles, building diverse interests, and planning for the economic aspects of retirement.

Question 30

What physical changes are commonly associated with aging?

Answer 30

Aging individuals may experience hearing loss (presbycusis), vision changes (e.g., cataracts, age-related macular degeneration), and conditions like arthritis, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis.

Question 31

What are the risk factors for osteoarthritis and osteoporosis?

Answer 31

Risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, weight, previous injuries, genetics, and lack of activity, while osteoporosis leads to brittle bones over time with similar risk factors as arthritis.

Question 32

What is are the three operational points that define sarcopenia?

Answer 32

1) Low muscle strength 2) Low muscle quantity or quality 3) Low physical performance

Question 33

What is sarcopenia?

Answer 33

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength that naturally occurs as you age.

Question 34

How does sarcopenia affect the functionality of muscles?

Answer 34

Sarcopenia results in muscles becoming smaller and weaker, impacting how well you can move and perform daily activities.

Question 35

Why is staying active crucial to combat sarcopenia?

Answer 35

Staying active is crucial to combat sarcopenia because exercises involving resistance, such as weight training, can help maintain muscle mass and strength.

Question 36

How is the functionality of muscles connected to fitness?

Answer 36

helps fight off diseases associated with aging, like arthritis and weakness.

Question 37

What factors influence sarcopenia, aside from natural aging?

Answer 37

Sarcopenia is influenced by nutrition, hormonal changes, and how the body processes energy.

Question 38

How is sarcopenia characterized in terms of its impact on independence?

Answer 38

Sarcopenia makes muscles weaker, which can make it harder to perform everyday tasks independently.

Question 39

Why does muscle mass decrease as we age?

Answer 39

As we get older, we eat less and exercise less – not contributing to anabolic response that keeps muscle mass up.

Question 40

What contributes to age-associated muscle atrophy?

Answer 40

both individual fiber atrophy, which may be preventable and reversible through exercise, and the loss of muscle fibers, which appears irreversible.

Question 41

How is muscle atrophy associated with aging?

Answer 41

Muscle atrophy as we age is linked to the loss and atrophy of muscle fibers.

Question 42

What are the consequences of the loss of muscle fibers with aging?

Answer 42

The loss of muscle fibers with aging increases the risk of slips and falls, weakens muscles, and reduces overall muscle force due to fewer motor units.

Question 43

What is osteoporosis?

Answer 43

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by a reduction in bone mass and deterioration of bone microstructure, leading to fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures, particularly in older adults.

Question 44

How is menopause linked to osteoporosis?

Answer 44

Changes in estrogen levels during menopause are closely linked to the development of osteoporosis.

Question 45

What are osteoclasts and osteoblasts in bone, and how do they contribute to bone health?

Answer 45

Osteoclasts break down bone, and osteoblasts build it back up. The balance between these two cell types is crucial for maintaining healthy bones.

Question 46

How does osteoporosis affect bone fragility?

Answer 46

Osteoporosis occurs when bones break down faster than they can rebuild, leading to fragile bones that are more prone to fractures.

Question 47

How does bone density change with age, leading to osteoporosis?

Answer 47

Bones are most dense in young adulthood, but as people age, they start breaking down more, reaching a point known as osteoporosis.

Question 48

What is the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis?

Answer 48

Osteopenia is a less severe version of osteoporosis, where bone density is lower but not as critically reduced.

Question 49

How is osteoporosis diagnosed based on bone mineral density (BMD)?

Answer 49

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis based on BMD, specifically when it is 2.5 standard deviations below the average for young adults. Testing BMD involves X-rays and densitometry.

Question 50

What are some problems associated with BMD testing?

Answer 50

specificity to certain populations, overlap in BMD levels between those with and without fractures, and the fact that it only looks at one aspect of bone (quantity).

Question 51

What does trabecular architecture reveal about osteoporosis?

Answer 51

Trabecular architecture, showing lower density in osteoporotic individuals, indicates a higher susceptibility to falls, especially significant as this bone is mainly around the ends of long bones, making hip and wrist fractures common.

Question 52

What is postmenopausal (Type 1) bone loss, and who does it mostly affect?

Answer 52

Postmenopausal (Type 1) bone loss is most common in women and is directly connected to changes in estrogen levels that occur after menopause. It develops between the ages of 50 and 70 when the protective effects of estrogen are no longer present in the body.

Question 53

What is age-related (Type 2) bone loss, and when does it typically occur?

Answer 53

Age-related (Type 2) bone loss, known as senile osteoporosis, occurs later in life, typically in the 70s. It is more common in men and involves a slower and more gradual wearing down of the bones, not specific to gender.

Question 54

What are the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 bone loss?

Answer 54

Type 1 (Postmenopausal): - Mostly affects women due to changes in estrogen. - Rapid onset, especially after menopause. - Often impacts the spine and wrist. Type 2 (Senile Osteoporosis): - Affects both genders but more common in men. - Develops more slowly, typically in the 70s. - Affects multiple sites, especially the hip.

Question 55

What factors contribute to peak bone mass and loss in a multifactorial etiology?

Answer 55

Genetics and ethnicity Lifestyle factors such as alcohol, smoking, and drug use Diet and nutrition Mechanical usage through physical activity

Question 56

What are steps to stay on your feet and prevent falls?

Answer 56

1. Be active: Engage in weight-bearing exercises like walking and running. Manage your medicines: Avoid substance abuse. 2. Manage your health: Focus on diet, exercise, and regular check-ups. 3. Improve your balance: Strengthen your balance. 4. Walk tall: Maintain good posture. 5. Foot care and safe footwear: Pay attention to foot health and wear appropriate footwear. 6. Eat well for life: Take control of your nutrition. 7. Regularly check eyesight: Ensure good vision. 8. Identify, remove, and report hazards: Be aware of potential dangers in your environment. 9. Secure rugs: Ensure rugs are safely secured. 10. Light up the night: Adequately light your surroundings. 11. Plan: Take your time, avoid rushing.