Demographics, Theories of Ageing, Social Attitudes, Legislation

Question 1

define Demography

Answer 1

is the study of population statistics. A population is said to be ageing if the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over is increasing.

Question 2

Who is elderly?

Answer 2

65 years according to the government

Old-old is 80-85 plus

Question 3

LE of indi males/females ; non indi

Answer 3

Indigenous males/non-Indigenous 69.1 / 79.7yrs

• Indigenous females/non-Indigenous 73.7/83.1yrs

Question 4

define Psychological aging

Answer 4

is characterized primarily by

behavioural changes.

Question 5

define Sociological aging

Answer 5

changes refer to changes that relate to the
environmental influences that contribute to and
affect aging people.

Question 6

Psychosociological Theories: (3)

Answer 6

Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Continuity Theory

Question 7

Disengagement Theory (psycho-sociological)

Answer 7

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.”
This refers to an inevitable process in which many of
the relationships between a person and other
members of society are severed & those
relationships remaining are altered in quality.

Question 8

Activity Theory (psycho-sociological)

Answer 8

• 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.
• This theory suggests that a person’s self-concept is
related to the roles, e.g. parent, spouse, held by
that person as roles change, the individual finds
substitute activities for these roles.

Question 9

Continuity Theory (psycho-sociological)

Answer 9

States that older adults try to preserve & maintain
internal & external structures by using strategies
that maintain continuity. “basic personality,
attitudes, and behaviors remain constant throughout
the life span”

Question 10

Biological Theories (2)

Answer 10

• Genetic:
  Somatic Mutation Theory
• Nongenetic:
  Programmed Cellular Ageing

Question 11

• Genetic: somatic Mutation Theory (biological)

Answer 11

The more frequent the mitosis rate the greater the
chance of age dependent mutations to creep into
the genome.
• Radiation
• Chemical viruses
• Mutations may produce totally different protein
profile → change in cell structure and function

Question 12

• Nongenetic: Programmed Cellular Ageing (biological)

Answer 12

Built into the genetic code there is a ‘biological clock’
gene which switches on/off during growth and
development according to cellular needs.
Certain ‘ageing’ genes exist when switched on which
produce changes on a microscopic and macroscopic
level.
Hence quality and duration of life genetically
controlled.

Question 13

‘Wear and Tear’ Theory

Answer 13

This is where body tissue becomes worn from use and

cannot continuously renew itself.

Question 14

Rate-of-Living Theory

Answer 14

This suggests that rapid expenditure of energy
precipitates early aging and slow expenditure results
in slower aging.

Question 15

Waste Product Accumulation Theory

Answer 15

This suggests that a kind of cellular constipation
results if cells accumulate more waste than can be
disposed of efficiently