Old age
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Old age (also referred to as one's eld) consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage) and the elderly. As occurs with almost any definable group of humanity, some people will hold a prejudice against others — in this case, against old people. This is one form of ageism.
Old people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness than other adults. For the biology of ageing, see senescence. The medical study of the aging process is gerontology, and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.
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Physical changes
There is often a general physical decline, and people become less active. Old age can cause, amongst other things:
- Wrinkles and liver spots on the skin
- Change of hair color to gray or white
- Hair loss
- Lessened hearing
- Diminished eyesight
- Slower reaction times and agility
- Reduced ability to think clearly
- Difficulty recalling memories
- Lessening or cessation of sex, sometimes because of physical symptoms such as erectile dysfunction in men, but often simply a decline in libido
- Greater susceptibility to bone diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Demographic changes
In the industrialized countries, life expectancy has increased consistently over the last decades.[1] In the United States the proportion of people aged 65 or older increased from 4% in 1900 to about 12% in 2000[2]. In 1900, only about 3 million of the nation's citizens had reached 65. By 2000, the number of senior citizens had increased to about 35 million.[citation needed] Population experts estimate[citation needed] that more than 50 million Americans — about 17 percent of the population — will be 65 or older in 2020. The number of old people is growing around the world chiefly because of the post-war 'baby boom', and increases in the provision and standards of health care.
Life expectancy
In most parts of the world, women live, on average, longer than men; even so, the disparities vary between 9 years or more in countries such as Sweden and the United States to no difference or higher life expectancy for men in countries such as Zimbabwe and Uganda.[3]
Psychosocial aspects
According to Erik Erikson’s "Eight Stages of Life" theory, the human personality is developed in a series of eight stages that take place from the time of birth and continue on throughout an individual’s complete life. He characterises old age as a period of "Integrity vs. Despair", during which a person focuses on reflecting back on their life. Those who are unsuccessful during this phase will feel that their life has been wasted and will experience many regrets. The individual will be left with feelings of bitterness and despair. Those who feel proud of their accomplishments will feel a sense of integrity. Successfully completing this phase means looking back with few regrets and a general feeling of satisfaction. These individuals will attain wisdom, even when confronting death.[4][5][6]
Individuals who became famous in their old age
- Harry Bernstein, author who published his first book, The Invisible Wall, at 96 in 2007
- Eugénie Blanchard, oldest living person since 2 May 2010
- Jeanne Calment, longest confirmed lifespan
- Ann Nixon Cooper, who at age 106 made national news during the 2008 US presidential election for voting for Barack Obama. She was mentioned in Obama's victory speech.
- Granny D, political activist who ran for public office at the age of 94
- James Fisher, blacksmith who returned from retirement to become the first person over the age of 100 to achieve the ACA qualification.
- Enrico Dandolo, who led the infamous Fourth Crusade in his 80s
- Sadie and Bessie Delany, civil rights activists
- Ruth Ellis, 101-year-old African-American LGBT activist
- Florence Holway, rape survivor and activist
- Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, Irish-American labor organizer
- Maggie Kuhn, activist and founder of the Gray Panthers
- Mae Laborde, actress who began acting in her 90s
- Buster Martin, said to be the oldest worker in the UK at age 103
- Grandma Moses, American folk artist
- Narses, who became a successful general at 74
- Peter Oakley, aka geriatric1927, British senior famous for his YouTube videos
- Nola Ochs, became the oldest college graduate ever at age 98
- Clara Peller, Wendy's spokeswoman, famous for her "Where's the Beef?" catch-phrase
- Emily Perry, actress who played the role of Madge Allsop
- Mary Jane Rathbun, nurse and activist who was arrested for serving marijuana brownies to AIDS patients
- Malvina Reynolds, folk singer and political activist
- Olive Riley, blogger who started blogging at 107
- Arthur Winston, who at age 100 retired from his job working for the Los Angeles Metro after 72 years missing only one day, that being for his wife's funeral in 1988.
See also
- Aging in dogs
- Aging in place
- Centenarian
- Elderly care
- Geriatric care management
- Oldest people
- Pensioner
- Respect for the Aged Day
- Silver Alert
- Supercentenarian
References
- ^ "Table 26: Life expectancy at birth, at 65 years of age, and at 75 years of age by race and sex: Unted States, selected years, 1900 - 2005" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
- ^ Meyer, Julie (2001). ""Census 2000 Brief, C2KBR/01-12, U.S."" (PDF). "Washington, DC": "Census Bureau". Retrieved 2009-03-17.
- ^ de Blij, Harm. The power of place. Geography, Destiny, and Globalization's Rough Landscape. Oxford University Press. London:2009. p161ff
- ^ Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton.
- ^ Erikson, E.H. (1963). Childhood and Society. (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
- ^ Carver, C.S. & Scheir, M.F. (2000). Perspectives on Personality. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon
External links
- International Federation on Aging — informs and promotes positive change for old people globally
- Age UK - UK charity supporting those in old age in the UK and in developing countries