CHAPTER 19 Global Health of the Older Adult

Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand…. --Robert Browning (from “Rabbi Ben Ezra,” 1864)

Who is the older adult? Is it a person who is elderly? When does one become old? When does aging begin? Gerontology (meaning “old man”) is defined as the scientific study of aging. The field of gerontology studies older populations starting at age 65

Number of Older Adults in the US in the Twentieth Century (in Millions)

Chronological age is still the best marker available for making global comparisons of aging phenomena Population Aging is the process by which older individuals come to form a proportionately larger share of the total population

Older Adults as a Percentage of Total US Population in the Twentieth Century

Mortality and Morbidity Statistics “Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that happen to a man” »--Leon Trotsky (Diary in Exile, entry for May 8, 1935) Life expectancy increased – more people living to older ages Maximum life span record 122 years Has not changed

Older Adults (60+) as a Percentage of Total World Population

Changes in Mean Life Expectancy, US,

Percent of People Surviving to Certain Ages for Selected years in the US

Population Pyramids Demonstrating the Changes in Structure of Age Groups in the US

Population Pyramids Demonstrating the Changes in Structure of Age Groups in the US

Population Pyramids Comparing Less Versus More Developed Countries (Data from 1950 and 1990 with Projections for 2030)

Percent of the Population Aged 65 and Older in Various Regions (2000, projected for the year 2030)

Disability Adjusted Life Expectancy Oldest-Old >85 Centenarians >100 Supercentenarians > 110 Gender Differences

Different Numbers of Males and Females as a Function of Age

Countries with the Greatest Percentage of Older Population

Research and Technology Goal of “successful aging” (Fernández-Ballesteros et al., 2010; Rowe & Kahn, 1998). Computer technologies and communication Ability to order goods, others, obtain information Work online from home (e.g. teach online classes) SeniorNet Social sites, better contact with family and friends Telemedicine Home robots/smart homes/aware homes

Legal and Ethical Issues Ethics of Aging Research 1974 National Research Act National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research “Concern for the interests of the subject must always prevail over the interests of science and society ” Older adults not considered vulnerable unless impaired

Legal and Ethical Issues “Everybody has got to die, but I have always believed an exception would be made in my case. Now what?” William Saroyan, final statement published after his death at age 72 Euthanasia Assisted Suicide

Influences of Politics, Economics, Culture and Religion Ageism Elder Abuse Culture Family Support for the Elderly Respect and Status Cognitive Neuroscience and Aging Aging Phenomena in South America Religious lifestyle in Israel

Old age is not a disease and cannot be cured. By: Elie Metchnikoff, biologist