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Age and physical functioning

from Psychology, health and illness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2014

By
Gail M. Williamson  and
David R. Shaffer
Edited by
Susan Ayers ,
Andrew Baum ,
Chris McManus ,
Stanton Newman ,
Kenneth Wallston ,
John Weinman  and
Robert West
Gail M. Williamson
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
David R. Shaffer
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
Susan Ayers
Affiliation:
University of Sussex
Andrew Baum
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
Chris McManus
Affiliation:
St Mary's Hospital Medical School
Stanton Newman
Affiliation:
University College and Middlesex School of Medicine
Kenneth Wallston
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
John Weinman
Affiliation:
United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas's
Robert West
Affiliation:
St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London
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Summary

Over the life span, the human body increasingly functions less efficiently. Skin wrinkles and sags; hair thins and turns grey; muscle mass and strength are more difficult to maintain; joints deteriorate; aerobic capacity and cardiac output decrease; the immune system becomes less responsive; visual and auditory acuity decline – and this is just a partial list. Faced with these changes, it is not surprising that many people dread growing old because they believe ageing portends losses in functional capacities and the enjoyable aspects of life. This chapter highlights the demographic realities of an ageing population, debunks some of the myths about age and physical functioning and summarizes research on the factors that promote successful ageing.

There is no doubt that the population of many western countries is ‘greying’. Average life expectancy in the US in 1900 was 47 years; today, it is closer to 76 years. Over two-thirds of people now live to at least age 65 (a three-fold increase from 1900). Furthermore, the fastest growing segment of the population is in the category over age 85 – 4% in 1900 to more than 10% today (e.g. US Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1992; Volz, 2000).

Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Psychology, Health and Medicine , pp. 10 - 14
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2007

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