Essay on Age-Related Deterioration: Understanding Aging Theories to Promote Quality Services for Older Adults

Aging theories play an important role in promoting high quality services and programs for older adults. According to Fulop et al. (2018), age-related deterioration is impacting on an ever-growing populace of older adults. Even though aging is a process that cannot be avoided, it is imperative to comprehend the entire chain of the chronological event (Ewald, 2018). Aging theories, therefore, are essential aspects of understanding the aging process. The theories give society different methods to understand how and why aging occurs, even though not all of the theories are accurate. Moreover, understanding theories of aging enable physiotherapists to positively influence the aspects that engender better health and wellness as people become older. Aging theories are essential in understanding ameliorating symptoms and the treatment of common conditions associated with aging. Most theories of aging have some research that backs them, unlike personal experiences or educated guesses (Ewald, 2018). Theories of aging change the perception of adults and aging by giving human beings an understanding of the process of aging. If people can better understand how aging occurs and why it happens, the entire society is more likely to accept the process as well as enhance care for the elders. Theories of aging are relevant to those who work with older adults because they can help workers focus on specific aspects of aging to increase care.

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In this assignment, I will analyze the Immunological Aging Theory. The theory postulates that the process of aging is a slow but general nature of a long autoimmune process (Ritzel et al., 2018). In a nutshell, the theory asserts that the elevated mutation of cells at older ages will finally result in failure of cell identification and the breakdown of some physiological mechanisms, which finally causes autoimmune reactions such as acute inflammation (Fulop et al., 2018). As people grow old, they experience changes to all physiological functions (Ewald, 2018). Other studies have shown that immune activity decreases according to age resulting in age-related health issues. The proponents of this theory believe that changes in the immune system have a direct effect on an individual's length of life. The immune system protects the body against viruses and bacteria; however, it weakens with age. The theory hypothesizes that human immunity is a highly regulated and coordinated process; also, the immune system provides defense against pathogens (Fulop et al., 2018). Moreover, immunity helps in identifying and removing cancerous cells and toxins. However, with age, the potential for the elements to cause body damage increases. This is because, as one age, important cells (lymphocytes) in the immune system reduce in number and become less functional; the theory points out that people of age 65 years and above are highly affected by a decline in the immune system (Fulop et al., 2018). Those below this age gap may still have strong immunities. Among many older persons, immunosenescence is synonymous with the decrease in resistance to infectious ailments and reduced immunity against cancer; because of this, the danger of death is literally more at old age (Ritzel et al., 2018).

One of the research studies that supports the tenets of the theory was conducted by Ewald (2018). The author studied the relationship between immunity and aging; specifically, the Duox function of enzymes, which is tightly monitored and cellular controlled. He found that within the period of a person's life, the body cells regenerate the tissues. The ability to reproduce tissues and organs reduces as people grow old (Ewald, 2018). Adult stem cells are critical because they enhance the health of human tissues by replacing old and worn-out cells that accumulate with time. This is caused by the shortening of telomeres at their ends. According to Ewald (2018), this occurs when telomeres worn-out cells die, and no new cells are produced. The research found that aging occurs as a result of the short duration of the degeneration of cells. The decreasing number of stem cells also results in several age-related diseases. Even though Duox power at the surface of the cell is well-founded, current studies on the same functionality also posit an important function of Duoxs in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane to manage redox signaling. This process is started by ROS in an NADPH oxidase. These processes are very critical in understanding aging. Appropriately managing NADPH reaction power for basic and physiological redox indicators to control cell homeostasis may be a therapeutic means to enhance healthy aging (Ewald, 2018).

The immunological theory has some limitations. First, up to date, the immunological theory faces a number of open questions that many researchers have posed. Notably, there are no clear agreements on the principal cause of the immune system senescence (Ritzel et al., 2018). Also, even though the function of the immune system during the aging processes is indicated, a pure immune process of aging faces significant doubts (Ritzel et al., 2018). Also, the immunological theory is dependent on other theories; it combines with neuroendocrine and free radical aging theories in its assertions of how the immune system causes aging and its related signs and symptoms.

I will use the immunological theory to understand the prevalence of chronic conditions in older people. According to Fulop et al. (2018), to date, infections such as pneumonia, influenza, nephritis, and sepsis are among the leading causes of death amongst people over 65 of age. Understanding the theory will be valuable in enhancing proper diagnosis for sick, elderly patients. According to Ritzel et al. (2018), aging should be graceful; however, many older adults experience many health-related conditions. Moreover, understanding this theory would also be important in coming up with therapies that have the potential of delaying aging, for example, appropriate diet and physical activities, which have the potential to boost one's immunity.

References

Ewald, C. Y. (2018). Redox signalling of NADPH oxidasesregulates oxidative stress responses, immunity and ageing. Antioxidants, 7(10), 130. Doi.org/10.3390/antiox7100130

Fulop, T., Larbi, A., Dupuis, G., Le Page, A., Frost, E. H., Cohen, A. A.,& Franceschi, C. (2018). Immunosenescence and inflamm-aging as two sides of the same coin: friends or foes? Frontiers in immunology, 8, 1960.Doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.01960

Ritzel, R. M., Lai, Y. J., Crapser, J. D., Patel, A. R., Schrecengost, A., Grenier, J. M., ... & Venna, V. R. (2018). Aging alters the immunological response to ischemic stroke. Acta neuropathologica, 136(1), 89-110. Doi.org/10.1007/s00401-018-1859-2