Disposable Soma Theory of Aging The disposable soma

Disposable Soma Theory of Aging • The disposable soma theory is one of those based on the idea (Medawar's and Williams' earlier modifications to Darwin's survival-ofthe-fittest idea) that the evolutionary value of additional life declines following the age at which an organism achieves reproductive capability. http: //www. programmed-aging. org/theories/disposable_soma. html • The theory that ageing is caused by the body having increasingly fewer resources to allocate towards repairing wear and damage to tissues. http: //www. thefreedictionary. com/disposa It is based on the idea that maintenance and repair take up valuable metabolic energy that evolutionarily speaking is better allocated towards increasing reproduction early in life (Partridge and Gems, 2006). http: //awarnach. mathstat. dal. ca/~joeb/biol 3046/projects/AGE 2/Disposab le%20 Soma%20 Theory. htm •

Explain how It influences an individual. • They may have difficulties recovering from illnesses, resulting in poor health. • Individuals are likely to have a lower immunity, meaning they are more prone to infection. • An individual may disengage from daily life activities, as they have less energy to do so, due to it being consumed by the disposable soma.

Explain how theory could influence Health and Social Care practice. • Rehabilitation and therapy can be provided by Health and Social Care professionals to assist with the recovery of an individual. Rather than depending on the individuals body to recover itself, they can assist by providing alternative ways to repair. • To reduce the risk of infection, local GP’S provide flu vaccinations and other forms of medication that can help to prevent the infection from occurring. • GP’s can provide services which provide assistance for daily life activities. For example, they can prescribe medication that enhance energy levels to ensure the individual is able to have a reasonable amount of energy. Carers can also provide their services, such as home care assistance. For example, they can help with cooking, cleaning, shopping and personal hygiene.

Genetically programmed ‘The genetic theory of aging states that lifespan is largely determined by the genes we inherit. ’ www. verywell. com Someone’s life primarily determined at the moment of conception, and is reliant on our parents and their genes. The basis behind this theory is that sections of DNA that occur at the end of chromosomes, called telomeres, determine the lifespan of a cell. Telomeres are pieces of "junk" DNA at the end of chromosomes which become shorter every time a cell divides. They eventually cannot divide without losing important pieces of DNA. Programmed aging theories view aging as an intentional process, controlled in a way that can be likened to other phases of life such as puberty.

How it influences an individual 1. the existence of genetic diseases that only cause problems during late life suggests that genetic programming continues to change into late life. 2. Old age is determined – it will happen

How it could influence health and social care practice 2. HSC provision can predict and prepare for old age • • What Can You Do to Reduce the "Genetic" Aging of Your Cells? We are taught to eat a healthy diet and be active and these lifestyle factors are likely just as important no matter how much our genetics are involved in aging. It can make a difference to: Exercise - Studies have found that physical activity not only helps your heart and lung function well, but exercise lengthens telomeres. Eat a healthy diet - A diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with greater telomerase activity (in effect, less shortening of the telomeres in your cells). A diet high in omega-3 -fatty acids is associated with longer telomeres but a diet high in omega-6 -fatty acids is the opposite and associated with shorter telomeres. In addition, soda pop intake is linked with shorter telomeres. Reservatrol, the ingredient responsible for the excitement over drinking red wine (but also found in non-alcoholic red grape juice) appears to activate the longevity protein SIRT Reduce stress Avoid carcinogens Maintain a healthy weight - Not only is obesity linked with some of the genetic mechanisms associated with aging noted above (such as increased shortening of telomeres), but repeated studies have found longevity benefits associated with caloric restriction. The first principle in the cancer prevention lifestyle put forth by the American Institute for Research on Cancer—be as lean as possible without being underweight—might play a role in longevity as well as cancer prevention and the prevention of cancer recurrence. • http: //study. com/academy/lesson/theories-ofaging-and-death-programmed-theories-vs-damage-theories. html

Bibliography • https: //www. verywell. com/the-genetic-theory -of-aging-2224222 • http: //study. com/academy/lesson/theories-of -aging-and-death-programmed-theories-vsdamage-theories. html

Gender Differences Biological Theories of Gender- Sex refers to biological differences between males and females. For example, chromosomes (female XX, male XY), reproductive organs (ovaries, testes), hormones (oestrogen, testosterone). Gender refers to the cultural differences expected (by society / culture) of men and women according to their sex. A person’s sex does not change from birth, but their gender can.

How does it influence an individual? Men are more likely to age earlier than women, as evidenced by their higher mortality rates and shorter average life spans. Females begin to exhibit signs of physiological decline earlier than males, and that higher mortality figures are not necessarily correlated with the rate at which we age. There is also the physiological cost of testosterone, which suppresses the immune system and results in higher death rates among males due to infectious diseases and cancer.

How could theory influence Health and Social Care Practice? This may mean that there are more elderly females in hospitals, care homes or living on their own. This may mean that more female carers are required to look after females as it is usually the case to women would prefer another female to care for them if it involves personal care such as washing. As men are more likely to die earlier than females, research should be carried out to look at how males can live a longer life.

Bibliography • Simply Psychologyhttp: //www. simplypsychology. org/genderbiology. html • World Healthhttp: //www. worldhealth. net/news/gender_d ifferences_in_aging_reassessed/

The Activity Theory Shawn Lopez

The activity theory proposes that successful ageing occurs when older adults stay active and maintain social interactions. Bromley (1966) stated that although disengagement would happen, older people needed to focus on ‘activities’ then he stated that this would prevent older people from stagnation and a loss of mental and physical skills. The activity theory of ageing proposes that older adults are happiest when they stay active and maintain social interactions. Havighurst (1961) These activities, especially when meaningful, help the elderly to replace lost life roles after retirement and, therefore, resist the social pressures that limit an older person's world. The theory assumes a positive relationship between activity and life satisfaction. The activity theory occurs when individuals engage in a full day of activities and maintain a level of productivity to age successfully. The activity theory basically says: the more you do, the better you will age. It makes a certain kind of sense, too. People who remain active and engaged tend to be happier, healthier, and more in touch with what is going on around them. Same goes for people of any age.

How the Activity theory influences an individual The activity theory positively influences an individual as this encourages them to maintain interests in certain activities which enables them to maintain good health and well-being and prevent them from stagnation. This also enables them to maintain a good physical and mental skills instead of deterioration. Moreover, this enables older people to have positive relationships with activities enabling them to become more satisfied, positively affecting their emotional wellbeing by being in touch with what is going on around them.

How Activity theory can influence Health and Social Care Practice The activity theory can positively influence health and social care practitioners by encouraging older adults to remain active. In order to do that, they will need to provide facilities which can easily be accessed and are appropriate for their physical and cognitive ability. This has implications for funding.

Bibliography • Source: Boundless. “Activity Theory. ” Boundless Sociology Boundless, 12 Jul. 2016. Retrieved 16 Jan. 2017 from https: //www. boundless. com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociologytextbook/aging-18/the-functionalist-perspective-on-aging-128/activity-theory -722 -9146/ • Source: Study. com “Activity Theory. ” http: //study. com/academy/lesson/psychosocial-theories-of-aging-activitytheory-continuity-theory-disengagement-theory. html

Social creation of dependency http: //eprints. lse. ac. uk/309/1/J_Soc_Pol_26 -3. pdf A Postmodernism Approach to Structured Dependency Theory

The physical, mental, and social features of ageing were seen as natural, or as largely inevitable. Instead of asking what brought about the modern phenomenon of retirement and accentuated social dependency and the chances of isolation and extreme deprivation in old age, or what explained the mainly custodial and impersonal forms of institutional care for the elderly and the large-scale use to which they were put, many scientists, scholars and practitioners have asked only how can people adjust to retirement, or how can the burden for relatives or the state be lightened, or how can the administration of institutional care be made more efficient? Accessed from https: //www. cambridge. org/core/services/aop-cambridgecore/content/view/S 0144686 X 81000020

The social construction of elders is based on ageist notions of elders as decrepit, dependent and feeble. This construction assumes that the age of 65 marks inevitable bodily and mental decline and a consequent need for health and medical care. The elder body is constructed as a social problem which society can resolve through (bio)medical management. https: //arizona. openrepository. com/arizona/bitstream/10150/110216/1/azu_gn 1_a 7 85_n 13_101_107_w-ocr. pdf This theory may influence Health and Social Care practice because inevitable changes to the body suggest that older individuals will need healthcare. In order to cope and manage the changes that are happening to the individuals they will need to use medication.

Definition of the disengagement theory “Disengagement theory outlines a process of disengagement from social life that people experience as they age and become elderly. ” http: //sociology. about. com/od/D_Index/g/Disengagement. Theory. htm The disengagement theory states that aging is inevitable and that withdrawal or disengagement with society results in decreased interaction between the aging individual and others. The theory claims that it is natural and acceptable for older adults to withdraw from society. Cumming and Henry (1961) said that it’s inevitable when an individual reaches older adulthood they will disengage with society, as did Bromley (1974).

The disengagement theory can influence older adults to disengage from the things and people around them as they age. For example, an elderly person may disengage due to the growth in modern technology, which is something that they are unfamiliar with. This can lead to confusion and reclusive behaviour. With older age, there are various physical problems that can lead to disengagement such as walking difficulties. This means that the elderly individual may have to stay in their home for long periods of time without engaging with anyone.

As people age and reach older adulthood, it is likely that they will eventually disengage. In the likely event that this happens, this will mean that there is a increase in loneliness amongst elderly people who have disengaged from things or people around them. This loneliness could be detrimental to their emotional well-being. This will mean that in relation to Health and Social Care practice, practitioners will need to offer general or mental health support, to ensure that the elderly enjoy older age. If in the event, when aging, an adult suffers with physical difficulties such as walking, walking aids are available either through the NHS or for purchase which will enable an elderly person to leave the house from time to time.

Bibliography / References http: //sociology. about. com/od/D_Index/g/Disengagement. Theory. htm Unit 4; P 4 M 2 Power. Point presentation