Module 1: Introduction to Aging, Biohacking, and Gerontechnology

Question 1

Ageism

Answer 1

-the systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because they are old

Question 2

What are people aged 75-84 considered to be

Answer 2

-old-old

Question 3

What are people 85+ considered to

Answer 3

-oldest-old

Question 4

What are people 100+ considered to be

Answer 4

-centenarian

Question 5

What are people 110+ considered to be

Answer 5

-super-centenarian

Question 6

Successful aging

Answer 6

-requires a combination of physical health and functional ability, high cognitive functioning, and active involvement with society

Question 7

Self-efficacy

Answer 7

-reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over ones motivation, behaviour, and social environment

Question 8

Well-being

Answer 8

-the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous

Question 9

Resilience

Answer 9

-the ability to thrive under difficult situations, turning adversity into a catalyst for growth and emotional well being

Question 10

Positive aging

Answer 10

-characterized by being adaptable and proactive in coping with change

Question 11

Lifestyle of older adults

Answer 11

-many older adults live on a fixed income such as a pension etc, which can mean that owning a car or travelling for outdoor leisure activities may be in a luxury

Question 12

Major sources of income for older adults

Answer 12

-canada pension and social security
-other pensions
-assets such as interest-bearing savings and checking accounts, investments, home equity, and personal property
-employment earnings
-welfare

Question 13

What are encore careers

Answer 13

-refers to new retirement jobs
-places an emphasis on working by choice and for enjoyment

Question 14

What is gliding out

Answer 14

-phased retirement, may be offered to some older employees as a way to slowly transition from the workplace to retirement

Question 15

What are examples of age related discrimination

Answer 15

-failure to be offered training
-change in status from senior manager position to managerial position with less authority
-transfer to a dead end job
-gradual demotion by taking away job responsibilities
-poor evaluations for same quality of work

Question 16

Age norms

Answer 16

-serve to open up or close off the roles that people of a given chronological age can play

Question 17

Socialization

Answer 17

-lifelong process by which individuals learn to perform new roles, adjust to changing roles, relinquish old ones, and become integrated into society

Question 18

Role discontinuity

Answer 18

-means what was learned at one age may be useless or in conflict with role expectations at a later age

Question 19

Social theories of aging

Answer 19

-modernization and aging theory
-life course perspective
-social constructionism
-feminist gerontology

Question 20

Modernization and aging theory

Answer 20

-suggest that factors in the current economic and societal structures have changed the way younger generations value older adults

Question 21

Life course perspective

Answer 21

-attempts to bridge structural/societal level and individual psychological level factors that affect human development
-this theory acknowledges that age cohort and historical time, location, agency, and relationships all affect the experience of aging

Question 22

Social constructionism

Answer 22

-is the idea that the knowledge and meaning are socially created and thus not an objective representation of aging
-this interpretation means that aging is defined as a problem by cultures and society, rather than by biology and the biological changes that occur

Question 23

Feminist gerontology

Answer 23

-the view that the experiences of women are often ignored in understanding the human condition
-this theory states that sex and/or gender is a primary factor when considering the implications of aging

Question 24

Goals of hacking

Answer 24

-permanently destroying data, software, or hardware in attacks
-procuring information and access
disrupting computer activity

Question 25

What is biotechnology

Answer 25

-originally used to refer to the use of living organisms to enhance crops, fuels, medical treatments and other tools -has been extended to include the development of drugs

Question 26

Biohacking

Answer 26

-biological experimentation done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms especially by individuals and groups working outside a traditional medical or scientific research

Question 27

Examples of biohacks

Answer 27

-simple tweaks like keto diet or intermittent fasting -computer chips implanted in the body -gene editing

Question 28

Examples of biohacking

Answer 28

-nutrigenomics -DIY biology -grinders and makers

Question 29

Nutrigenomics

Answer 29

-science of how food interacts with individual function and health

Question 30

DIY biology

Answer 30

-a type of biohacking spearheaded by people with education and experience in scientific fields

Question 31

Grinders and makers

Answer 31

-grinders are a biohacking subculture that hack their own bodies in a number of different ways including through implantation -makers create things, using technology like 3D printing, and are often self-taught

Question 32

Nootropics

Answer 32

-ginko biloba -methylene blue

Question 33

Ginkgo biloba

Answer 33

-seems to show protective effects against diseases like Alzheimers -may have antoxidant and anti-cancer effects

Question 34

Methylene blue

Answer 34

-has the ability to protect the brain against some neurodegenerative disorders, along with cases of traumatic brain injury

Question 35

DIY biology

Answer 35

-area of biohacking that can involve diet, drugs, electronic technology, software, DNA, and genes

Question 36

Grinders

Answer 36

-often integrate technology into their bodies to try to improve their health or function

Question 37

Makers

Answer 37

-extend beyond the scope of DIY biologists with the use of technology -they often intersect with hacker culture, with the creation of new technological devices as well as tinkering with existing ones

Question 38

What can wearables be used for

Answer 38

-receive biofeedback, to better understand their bodys physiology -receive calendar and appointment reminders -track physical activity to address fitness goals -provides social media updates

Question 39

Issues that can arise from using wearables

Answer 39

-have potential to be used for surveillance via GPS monitoring or just by test/email/phone contact with or without the older adults permission -may not have fully accurate data collected

Question 40

Role of sensors

Answer 40

-detect when the refrigerator, medicine cabinet, or other door is open or closed -detect if the stove is on or if the water is left running -record activity in bed including respiration, heart rate and movements -detect stumbling and/or falls -video recording of a room

Question 41

Cost effective method of monitoring

Answer 41

-home monitoring systems are considered cost effective for care providers

Question 42

Issues with AAL systems

Answer 42

-collect data on the activities of older adults under surveillance, including what they do in the bedroom