Old Age: What it is, Characteristic Signs and Motor Activity

, injuries and illnesses generally compared to younger adults.

The organic aging process is called senescence, its medical study is called gerontology, while the branch of diseases that afflict the elderly is called geriatrics. In old age, in addition to an unfavorable physical condition, it is necessary to deal with other social problems concerning retirement, loneliness and all that entails the corresponding social role.

However, old age is not a well-defined biological phase, since the chronological age indicated as such varies both culturally and historically.

Did you know that ...

In 2011, the United Nations organized a human rights convention with the aim of protecting the elderly population.

Statistical notes on old age

"Aging is a privilege and a goal of society. But it is also a challenge, which will have an impact on all aspects of 21st century society." This is one of the messages proposed by the WHO (WHO, 2005) on the issue of the health of the elderly, a topic that is increasingly important in a society, ours, which is experiencing a kind of demographic revolution. In fact, in 2000, in the world there were about 550/600 million people over 60 years old; in 2025 there will be 1.2 billion until reaching 2 billion in 2050 (the UN expects a total of 9.1 billion people in the middle of this century) with a women-men ratio of 2 to 1 in the very old population.

As of 1 January 2019, in Italy, there are 13.8 million over-65s (representing 22.8% of the total population) - ISTAT data. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic which took place between the end of the same year and the beginning of 2020, the statistical trend of growth of the elderly population in the world has undergone a slight decrease.

at 55 years old. At the same time it was stressed that emancipated populations define old age not on the basis of years, but on the basis of the acquisition of new roles, the loss of previous ones or the inability to actively contribute to society.

Definitions of subgroups

In developed countries, most people between the ages of 60 and 70 are still fit, active and self-sufficient. However, after age 75 they become increasingly fragile, a condition characterized by severe mental and physical debility.

Therefore, rather than grouping all the people who have been defined as such, some gerontologists have recognized the diversity of old age by defining some subgroups. One study distinguishes young old (60 to 69), medium old (70 to 79) and very old (80+). Another: 65-74.7 5-84 and +85. One third: 65–74, 74–84 and +85. Describing the subgroups in the population aged> 65 allows for a more accurate representation of significant changes.

Two British scholars, Paul Higgs and Chris Gilleard, have added a "fourth age" subgroup. The "third age" would be "the period of active retirement life after middle age". Higgs and Gilleard describe fourth age as "an inactive, unhealthy, unproductive and ultimately unsuccessful age of aging".

Dimensions of old age

In social gerontology, the key concepts recognize four dimensions:

• chronological
• biological
• psychological
• social.

Wattis and Curran add a fifth dimension: evolutionary.

Chronological age can differ considerably from a person's functional age. The hallmarks of old age normally occur in all five dimensions, at different times and entities depending on the case. In addition to the chronological age, people can be considered elderly due to other dimensions of old age, such as the acquisition of the title of grandfather or the entry into retirement.

and joints: "thinning and shortening" - with loss of stature of about 5 cm at the age of 80 - curved posture and greater susceptibility to bone and joint diseases such as arthrosis and osteoporosis;

Chronic diseases: Almost all older people have at least one chronic condition and many more conditions. In the 2007-2009 period, the most frequent conditions among older people in the United States were uncontrolled hypertension (34%), diagnosed arthritis (50%) and heart disease (32%);

Chronic mucus hypersecretion (CMH): defined as cough and increased sputum, it is a common respiratory symptom in the elderly;

Dental problems: insufficient salivation and oral hygiene skills, which increases the possibility of tooth decay and infections;

Digestive system: in about 40% of cases, old age is characterized by digestive disorders such as difficulty in chewing and swallowing (dysphagia), inability to eat and absorb enough, constipation and bleeding;

Essential tremor (ET): This is an uncontrollable tremor in one part of the upper body. It is more common in the elderly and symptoms worsen with age;

Sight: Presbyopia can occur at the age of 50 and hinders reading especially of small print in low light conditions. The speed with which an individual reads and the ability to locate objects can also be compromised. At the age of 80 years, over half of all Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery;

Accidental falls and injuries; falls which, in a young adult would leave no damage, instead injure the elderly. Each year, about one third of 65-year-olds and over half of 80-year-olds fall. Accidental falls are the leading cause of injury and death for the elderly;

Change of pace; some aspects of gait change with age. Gait speed slows after age 70. Double plantar support time (ie time spent with both feet on the ground) also increases. Due to the change in gait, older people sometimes seem to "walk on ice" ;

Hair usually becomes grayer and thinner: as a rule, around 50% of Europeans have 50% gray hair. Many men are affected by baldness;

Women enter menopause;

Hearing: From the age of 75, 48% of men and 37% of women have hearing problems. Of the 26.7 million people aged> 50 with hearing problems, only one in seven uses a hearing aid. In the age group 70-79 years, the incidence of partial hearing loss affecting communication rises to 65%, predominantly among low-income males.

Less efficient heart with consequent loss of resistance: moreover, atherosclerosis can restrict blood flow;

Immune function: a less efficient immune function (immununescence) is a typical sign of old age;

Less effective lung expansion: they provide less oxygen;

Loss of mobility: Impairment affects 14% of those aged 65 to 74, but half of those over 85. Loss of mobility is common in the elderly. This inability to move has serious social, psychological and physical consequences.

Pain: affects 25% of the elderly, increasing with age up to 80% for those in nursing homes. Most of the pains are rheumatological;

Sexuality: remains important throughout life and the sexual expression of healthy older people is a relatively neglected research topic. Sexual attitudes and identity are established in early adulthood and change minimally throughout life. However, sexual desire in men and women may decrease with age. That said, there is a growing body of research on the sexual behaviors and desires of older people that oppose the "asexual" image of the elderly. People between the ages of 75 and 102 continue to experience sensuality and sexual pleasure. Other known sexual behaviors in the older age groups include sexual thoughts, erotic fantasies and dreams, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal intercourse, and anal intercourse;

Loss of skin elasticity and hydration, and the appearance of wrinkles;

Increased time to heal from injuries, making it more likely to leave permanent scars;

Sleep disturbances: with a chronic prevalence of over 50%, causing daytime sleepiness. In a study of 9,000 people with an "average age of 74, only 12% reported having no complaints about sleep. By age 65, deep sleep drops to about 5%;"

Decreased taste buds: by the age of 80, the taste buds drop to 50% of normal. Food becomes less attractive;

Reduction in the perception of thirst: 41% of the elderly do not drink enough;

Urinary incontinence: very frequent;

Voice. In old age, the vocal cords weaken and vibrate more slowly. This results in a weak, labored voice.

Mental signs of old age

Mental signs of old age include the following:

• Adaptability: Despite the stress of old age, most seniors are described as "agreeable" and "accepting". However, the condition causes feelings of incompetence and worthlessness;
• Caution: it derives from the fact that, by taking risks, the elderly have "less to gain and more to lose" than young people;
• Depressed mood: According to Cox, Abramson, Devine, and Hollon, old age is a risk factor for depression caused by prejudice. When people are biased towards the elderly and then get older, their anti-elderly biases turn inward, causing depression. People with stereotypes will likely have higher rates of depression as they get older. This results in more stereotypes. high suicide rate (> 65 years);
• Fear of crime: Especially among frail people, it sometimes outweighs concerns about finances or health and limits normal activities. The fear persists despite the fact that the elderly are victims of crime less often than the young;
• Growing fear of health loss;
• Mental disorders: According to estimates by the World Health Organization, they affect about 15% of people aged> 60. Another survey conducted in 15 countries reported that mental disorders in adults interfered with their daily activities more than physical problems;
• Reduced mental and cognitive capacity: memory loss causes a decrease in the speed of coding, storing and retrieving information. It takes longer to learn the same amount of new information. Dementia is a general term used to refer to the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Its prevalence increases in old age from about 10% at 65 years to about 50% at 85 years. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50-80% of dementia cases. Demented behavior can include wandering, physical aggression, verbal outbursts, depression and psychosis;
• "Old" mentality: A study of over 400 distinguished men and women in old age found a "preference for routine".

, with speed or thanks to agility, but with wisdom, experience and teaching. These are the qualities of which old age not only does not lack, but usually becomes more fruitful.

Did you know that ...

By keeping the body and mind exercised, commendable feats can be accomplished. Sebastiano Caboto, over eighty, organized an expedition in search of unknown countries and lands; Elizabeth I of England, at more than 70 years of age, carried out the duties of the Court, granting - always standing! - several hearings throughout the day. Robert Koch - the discoverer of the tuberculosis bacterium - at the age of 72 traveled to Africa to study the so-called sleeping sickness; Sigmund Freud at the age of 83 published the essay "Moses and the monotheistic religion"; Michelangelo Buonarroti at the age of almost 90 devoted himself fervently to the "Pietà Rondanini" and the great painter Tiziano Vecellio worked diligently until the ripe old age of ninety-nine!

The attention of sports facilities, therefore, has shifted towards the needs of this population, as it represents a catchment area of ​​certain growth, and the goal in the years to come will be precisely the involvement of the so-called Third Age, without a shadow of a doubt the most skeptical and the most difficult to involve due to fears, prejudices, beliefs and difficulties in understanding the value of physical motor activity.

In this phase of life, fitness is beneficial not only physically, but also psychologically. Maintain a general level of higher wellness and counteract the classic ailments help to raise the mood tone and to stay alive and dynamic. It is also scientifically proven that BDNF (Brain Neurotrophic Factor) is increased thanks to muscle and metabolic exercise, while also preserving cognitive functions .

For the organism of an elderly person, physical activity is really of considerable importance. It is essential to dedicate time to physical exercise, a real opportunity to regain awareness of one's life, as a moment of socialization and integration with other people.

It will be very important to practice a medium-light physical activity or sport - even better if in the open air - and to attend group or individual gymnastics courses for adults or the elderly, guided and followed by qualified teachers and personal trainers who know how to correct the errors of execution, suggesting the most suitable exercises on the basis of individual skills and personal needs.

Old age is not itself a disease, as the ancient Romans claimed ("Senectus ipsa morbus" - Terentius), and as many still believe today. Fitness may be the right way to disprove this dated and yellowed claim. But the "isolation of" over sixty-five "often depends on the environment in which we live. Physical decay - with which the elderly confront and identify themselves - is feared by today's society to the advantage of a logic of consumption, production and efficiency that excludes and devalues ​​those who cannot achieve certain performances.

Let us therefore think of Cicero who, a couple of millennia ago, in De Senectute had the opportunity to explain his philosophy, highlighting how old age can be a happy phase for those who have been able to operate in the course of life with wisdom and with marked justice, as well as for those people who know how to appreciate and value this moment of existence.

Aware that we are all destined, sooner or later, to no longer be completely efficient, we almost always tend not to want to recognize these problems by avoiding direct confrontation with the elderly, instead of appreciating their value and respecting the experience they bring.

Fitness and a good personal trainer can really help the elderly. To maintain muscular efficiency, to get out of loneliness, to ward off dangerous depressive tendencies. Physical activity can turn into a profound moment of contact and beneficial interaction between different generations, bringing psychological benefits to everyone.

For further information: Fitness for the Elderly