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Old age

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"Old people" redirects here. For the Khmer Rouge term, see New People.
For the song by Nirvana, see With the Lights Out.

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File:Dedeler.jpg
Elders from Turkey, 2010

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.

Definition

Old Woman Dozing by Nicolaes Maes (1656). Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels
A gray-haired old woman from the United Kingdom
A smiling old man from Chile
85 year old woman from Zinapécuaro, Michoacán, Mexico
Elderly homeless man, Tokyo
Population aged at least 65 years in 2005
Harry Patch, known as "the Last Tommy", was a British supercentenarian, and the last surviving soldier to have fought in the trenches of the First World War.

The boundary between middle age and old age cannot be defined exactly because it does not have the same meaning in all societies. People can be considered old because of certain changes in their activities or social roles. Examples: people may be considered old when they become grandparents, or when they begin to do less or different work—retirement.

The 1800s was the start of old age pensions, beginning in Germany, where the fixed retirement age at that time was 70. The fixed retirement age of 70 was the first attempt at defining the start of old age. In the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, the age of 65 was traditionally considered the beginning of the senior years because, until recently, United States and British people became eligible to retire at this age with full Social Security benefits. In 2003, the age at which a US citizen became eligible for full Social Security benefits began to increase gradually, and will continue to do so until it reaches 67 in 2027. As of 2011, the age is 66.[1]

Physical changes

There is often a general physical decline, and people become less active. Old age can cause, amongst other things:

Demographic changes

In the industrialized countries, life expectancy has increased consistently over the last decades.[2] In the United States the proportion of people aged 65 or older increased from 4% in 1900 to about 12% in 2000.[3] 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–World War II 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.[4]

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.[5][6][7]

Individuals who became famous in their old age

See also

References

  1. ^ "Age To Receive Full Social Security Retirement Benefits". U.S. Social Security Administration. Retrieved 06 June 2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "Table 26: Life expectancy at birth, at 65 years of age, and at 75 years of age by race and sex: United States, selected years, 1900 - 2005" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 26 August 2010.
  3. ^ Meyer, Julie (2001). "Census 2000 Brief, C2KBR/01-12, U.S." (PDF). "Washington, DC": "Census Bureau". Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  4. ^ de Blij, Harm. The power of place. Geography, Destiny, and Globalization's Rough Landscape. Oxford University Press. London:2009. p161ff
  5. ^ Erikson, E.H. (1968). Identity: Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton.
  6. ^ Erikson, E.H. (1963). Childhood and Society. (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.
  7. ^ Carver, C.S. & Scheir, M.F. (2000). Perspectives on Personality. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon
  8. ^ Archive.org
  9. ^ Soilandhealth.org
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Preceded by Stages of human development
Old age 		Succeeded by
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