As people age, their bodies experience a wealth of physical and psychological changes. In fact, the aging process is so complex that there is a field of science called gerontology that is devoted entirely to the study of aging. In particular, gerontologists examine the relationship between chronological aging, anatomical aging, and psychological aging, as well as the roles that heredity and lifestyle play in the aging process. Closely linked to gerontology is the science of geriatrics, which focuses on the role of health care for the aged population.
The aging process begins when a person is born and continues until a person’s death. When most people discuss the aging process, they use chronological years as units of measurement. Weeks and months are also used to measure age, particularly during the first two years of life to describe the age neonates or infants.
The age-related changes that take place between birth and adolescence are very pronounced, as a person is experiencing very rapid physical growth and cognitive development. By the time a person has entered early adulthood, physical and cognitive development have usually reached their peak. Following middle adulthood, a person’s bodily functions gradually begin to slow down, with an accelerated decline of faculties occurring among many members of the aged population.
One of the primary facets of aging is anatomical aging, which refers to the development and condition of the organs and other components of the body. As a person ages, there is a number of anatomical changes that occur. For instance, skin elasticity and smoothness begin to erode, producing an increasing number of wrinkles. Also, many older adults begin to experience a loss of hearing or decline in visual acuity. Bones begin to change in shape and can become more brittle, and hardening of the arteries can occur.
Another key consideration in the aging process is a person’s psychological aging. A person’s psychological age is determined by that person’s mental and emotional status. As people grow older, their ability to process information often slows due to a decline in the functioning of their brains. The ability to make decisions and solve problems becomes more and more limited as brain functionality continues to deteriorate. This decline of mental faculties typically begins in late adulthood and affects many members of the aged population.
It is important to note that heredity and lifestyle can play important roles in the aging process. Women have longer average lifespans than men, and the children of parents who live to be 100 years of age are more likely to reach 100 years of age than children of parents who did not reach 100 years of age. Factors such as diet, smoking, and exercise can also have an impact on the aging process. People who smoke, for instance, are more likely to die prematurely than those who do not smoke. Additionally, people who exercise regularly and who consume a healthful, low-fat diet typically have a longer lifespan than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle and consume fatty foods on a regular basis.