The Results Of Aging

Actually it's a report which was completed for OAC English Excellent

THE RESULTS OF AGING

Prepared for

Ms. Ferguson

by

Mark Trolley

Abstract

This report presents several aspects of aging. The report looks at a number of theories of why we

age, the physical and mental changes we undergo as we age, and several ways of caring for the

elderly.

March 7, 1997

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.....iii

INTRODUCTION..............1

THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE....2

Genetics.............2

Cellular.............2

Physiological........2

PHYSICAL CHANGES..........2

MENTAL CHANGES............5

Alzheimer's Disease..5

Senile Dementia......5

CARING FOR THE OLD........6

Retirement Communities..6

Life-care Facilities....6

House Sharing...........6

Group Homes.............7

Low-cost, Government Subsidized Housing..7

Foster Care..............................7

Nursing Homes............................7

CONCLUSIONS...............9

WORKS ....................10

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Tables

1. The results of aging.....................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this report is to discuss several aspects of aging.

Several theories of why we age, based on genetic research, cellular research, and

physiological research will be examined, along with physical and mental changes that are the result

of aging.

English: Histopathogic image of senile plaques see...

English: PET scan of a human brain with Alzheimer'...

Dementia is not a natural part of growing old

Specific mental changes that will be explored are Alzheimer's Disease and Senile

Dementia. The final aspect to be looked at will be the care of the elderly in retirement

communities, life-care facilities, house sharing, group homes, low-cost government subsidized

housing, foster care, and nursing homes.

THEORIES OF WHY WE AGE

Since research into aging is not guided by any one universally accepted theory, genetic,

cellular, and physiological studies have yielded several hypotheses.

Genetics

The most popular genetic theory, the Error Theory, assumes that aging is the result of the

accumulation of random genetic damage, or from small errors in the flow of genetic information.

The damage or errors would reduce or prevent proper cell function.

Cellular

The best known theory of aging in cellular research is called the Hayflick Effect, which is

named after the American microbiologist...