Page 47 - Rachel Delaney

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What is aging ? Brief

At the bioogical level, aging results from the impact of the accumulation of a wide varitey of
moleular and cellular damage over time. This leads to a gradual decrease in physical and Common conditions amoung older

mental capacity, a growing risk of disease, and ultimateyl, death. But these changes are neihter people include, hearing loss, cataracts,
back and neck pain, osteoarthritis,
linear nor consistent, and they only loosely associate with a person’s age in years. While diabetes, depression, and dementia,

some 70 year-olds enjoy extremely good health and functioning, other 70 year-olds are frail however they are more likly to experince
and require significant help from others. (Source: Wolrd Health Orginsation) several conditionsat the same time

Aging also poses other challenges beond the biological level: Altough in older demographics in Inital research

higher income countries are experincing
a drop in severe disabiliy rates, mild
to moderate disability rates have not
RIP

Moving to more Death and

appropriate housing loss Retirement Ageism

Negative sterotypes and ageism, have Scoping and User Reseach
negative e ects on older people ability,
both physical and mental

How can people enagaing with healthy aging?

As we age it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to engage in healthy aging. This includes

physical health and emotional health. Things such as strength training to maintain muscle mass,
a good nutritional diet and keeping in touch with family, friends and the community.
People with positive attudies towards
aging actually live longer and healthier lifes
It is also important to provide supportive environments for people facing the effects of aging,

to make sure they can actively engage with the community. This involves safe and accessible
public spaces, such as building and transport, that are easy to navigate and allow all kinds of Design proposal

people access

Source: Wolrd Health Orginsation, Older adults' favorite activities are resoundingly active: Findings from the NHATS study, Macrotrends, The Contributions of the Over 70s to Irish Society, Eurostat statistics-explained