BASIC CONCEPTS OF

GERONTOLOGY/GERIATRICS

PMPG
GERONTOLOGY VS GERIATRICS
Gerontology is the study of the physical aspects of
aging, as well as the mental, social and societal
implications of aging.

Geriatrics refers to medical care for older adult

Geriatric Nursing is a specialty focused on the care

of older adults.
PRINCIPLES OF GERONTOLOGY
1. Consider individuality. Consult his preferences.
2. Be patient, kind and sympathetic. Communicate
effectively, demonstrate respect.
3. Encourage independence and encourage him to
make his choices and decisions.
4. Assist elderly to achieve emotional stability.
5. Stimulate mental acuity and sensory input and
physical activity to uplift their self esteem, self
concept and confidence.
PRINCIPLES OF GERONTOLOGY
6. Make elderly stay in home interesting and lively
7. Provide diversion /occupational therapy.
8. Maintain privacy
9. Handle them gently.
10. Make them comfortable by providing comfortable
bed, bed linen etc. keep bed dry, smooth and
unwrinkled.
PRINCIPLES OF GERONTOLOGY
11. Encourage them to maintain body hygiene, thus
regulate body temperature.
12. Assist them to take care of visual, auditory and
dental aid.
13. Protect from injuries, falls and accidents etc.
14. Ensure adequate nutrition.
15. Facilitate elimination. Encourage them to maintain
external genitalia hygiene.
PRINCIPLES OF GERONTOLOGY
16. Encourage them to do active range of motion
exercises. Maintain body alignment and posture.
Encourage mobility.
17. Help elderly to establish good sleep patterns.
18 . Caution elderly about the use of drugs.
19 . Have them physically examined annually and
whenever needed.
20. Observe any psychophysical changes which alter
their body image and behaviour.
WHAT IS AGING?
• Aging is the process of becoming older.
• Aging represents the accumulation of
changes in a human being over time,
encompassing physical, psychological, and
social changes.
• Reaction time, for example, may slow with
age, while knowledge of world events and
wisdom may expand.
THEORIES OF AGING
• Biological theories
• Psychological theories
• Environmental theories
• Developmental theories
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Cellular Theory
Cells has been subject of much scientific inquiry in exploring
aging phenomena.
Cells has three distinct components:
• Cells that can reproduce
• Cells that cannot produce
• Intercellular substance/materials
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Programmed theory:

According to this theory aging and death are natural and

necessary part of genetics.

The human are programmed to age and die.

BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Error theory:

Aging is a result of internal and external assaults

that damage cells or organs so they can no longer
function properly.

Mistranscription and mistranslation of certain

genes products results in self amplifying error
producing derangement.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Somatic theory:

The theory states that aging is an imbalance between DNA’s

ability to repair itself and accumulating DNA damage.

When the damage exceeds the repair, the cell mutation, this
lead to senescence.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Wear and tear theory:

Years of damage to cells, tissue and organs eventually wears

them out.
Wear and tear can be viewed as a result of aging and not
the cause of it.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Auto immune theory:

Postulates that with age, immune system produces auto

anti-bodies that causes cell death or changes that foster the
aging process.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Free radical theory

During aging, damage produced by free radicals cause cells

and organs to stop functioning.
Molecules that are damaged by free radicals are proteins
and DNA.
This theory purpose that little by little small damage
accumulates and contributes to detoriation of tissue and
organs.
BIOLOGICAL THEORY
 Cross linkage theory
Also known as collagen theory.
With age, protein, DNA and other structured
molecules develop inappropriate cross links to one
another which decreases the elasticity of protein
and other molecules.
Damage and unneeded protein stick around and
can cause problem.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY
 Activity theory (Havighrust 1963)
The activity theory basically says: the more you do, the
better you will age.
The activity theory occurs when individuals engage in a full
day of activities and maintain a level of productivity to age
successfully.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY
 Disengagement theory(Cumming & Henry
1961).
This theory viewed aging as a process through which society
and the individual gradually withdraw or disengage from
each other.
“aging is an inevitable, mutual withdrawal or
disengagement, resulting in decreased interaction between
the aging person and others in the social system he belongs
to". The theory claims that it is natural and acceptable for
older adults to withdraw from society.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY
 Continuity theory(Negatron 1964)

The continuity theory states that individual who age

successfully continue habits, preferences, lifestyle and
relationship through midlife and later.
PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY
 Social exchange theory
Postulates that social interaction between individuals and
groups continues as long as everyone profits from the
interaction.

The decrease in the social interaction of the aged

is the result of exchange relationship that gradually
erodes the power of the aged.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEORY
 Radiation Theory

Excessive exposure to the suns radiation puts the

skin at risk during the somatic mutation process.
ENVIRONMENTAL THEORY
 Stress theory
According to Perlman(1954)
“Human aging is a disease syndrome arising from a
struggle between environmental stress and
biological resistance and relative adaption to the
effects of stressor agents. These stressors agents
might include air, pollutant, chemical,
psychological and sociological events.”
DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY
Erikson theorized that person’s life consists of eight stages.

Each stage represents a crucial turning point in life

stretching from birth to death, with its own developmental
conflicts to be resolved.
GERIATRIC NURSE
A geriatric nurse, or gerontological nurse, is a type of
nurse that helps care for aging and elderly individuals.
Nurses working in senior care perform traditional nursing
duties and have special skills to understand many older
adults’ special needs better.