The life expectancy today is higher than its ever been throu

The life expectancy today is higher than it’s ever been throughout history. Explain this in terms of primary vs. secondary aging, selective optimization with compensation, and other factors (vaccines, sanitation, etc. ) that can contribute to a longer life.

Pretend you have a friend who is concerned that their elderly parent is developing Alzheimer Disease. What would you tell your friend about potential causes, development of the disorder, as well as other types of dementia? What are possible prevention and treatments?

Solution

I am not sure whether the both questions should be combined to give the answer or it is two different questions. Anyhow both the questions deal with the same concept. I will answer one by one.

Yes as explained life expectancy today is much higher than it’s ever been throughout history. There are many reasons for that. The first point to be mentioned is the intellectual and physical evolution of the human beings.

The average life expectancy during Iron and Bronze Age were only 26 years and now it has reached up to 70 -75years .Ageing is a gradual process in which people lose their ability to survive by losing vision, hearing, memory loss, less tolerance to infections etc. We can explain this in terms of primary ageing and secondary ageing. Primary ageing is the gradual process of bodily deterioration throughout the life span. While secondary ageing is the result of other external factors like diseases, unhealthy living habits. Earlier the secondary ageing factors such as diseases like polio, measles and other contagious diseases had taken the death toll high and peoples who have surpassed these challenges have gone through a slow natural death through ageing.

Due to that average life expectancy of people altogether was low during old ages. In modern era due to development in science and medicine the people are aware of causes of secondary ageing. Vaccines are available for many of the communicable diseases. Children’s are vaccinated according to the immunization schedule which helps in the prevention of diseases. World health organization has taken initiative to eradicate many diseases from world. Thus helps to increase the life expectancy of under privileged people. Improved sanitation have prevented infections due to parasites and helps in prevention of many diseases especially eradication of guniea worm.

Life style associated secondary ageing causes are smoking, drinking, no exercise etc. Even though people are aware of all these it is seen that because of busy day to day life many tend to ignore this. It is still a concern in modern era. Technological advances have tied up humans to computer and social media website and techies lacking a social life, no exercise are a matter of concern. It is sure that studies are underway on the effect in the enhancement of this on secondary ageing process.

Selective optimization and compensation is explained as a strategy for improving wellbeing of older adults. When people are getting older due to primary aging it is possible that they can lose some of their abilities like vision, hearing etc. So it is recommended to select the best abilities and nature them in order to compensate the lost abilities. This helps in mental and social wellbeing of the senior citizens. Many clubs, old age homes and no profitable organization helps in giving counselling to cope up in old age.

Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder .In its early stages there is short term memory losses but as the disease advances the person can develop problem with language, loss of motivation, mood swing, ,behavioural issues .As and when the person discover all these by themselves there is a tendency of person from withdrawing from society and family.

Causes are unknown, many people believe that it is age onset and genetic. Other causes are brain injury, hypertension, busy life schedule, lack of exercise, depression etc.

The diagnosis is made by brain imaging and symptoms. There is no treatment for reversal of symptoms. But affected person can be supported by counselling, care and support from family, physical exercise etc.