Final Entry

1. What is your personal definition of succesful aging? How has this definition changed from the beginning of the semester?


My personal definition of successful aging is being able to maintain your daily routine (ADLs), independently. Successful aging is being able to function well both physically and mentally. This means free of health ailments such as diabetes, dementia, alzheimers, etc. 


This changes from my previous definition because I felt healthy aging resulted from mostly healthy habits. However, there is a great deal of genetic factors that also plays a role in how we age. Also, there is no direct link to foods that make us live longer, healthier lives. As we found throughout the semester, centenarians across the world eat different foods and have different lifestyles. 


2. What was one topic or fact that you found to be the most interesting throughout the semester?


In the Georgia Centenarian video, I found it interesting that there could be a gene that is correlated with life expectancy. 


3. What is one aspect of successful aging that you would like to continue learning about?


I'm interested in what can be done to prevent loss of mental function. I have always been very interested in alzheimers. I would like to continue to learn about what can be done to prevent this, or how this could be identified early. I am also curious as to what trial treatments are being conducted now and how successful they are.  

4. Has any of the information that we've discussed in class change your perspective about successful aging?  (i.e. Are there any behaviors that you will or will not do as a result of learning about aging?)


One topic that I have never thought about, previous to this class, was financial aging. If I am to live into my 100s, how am I going to pay for it? It's hard to even imagine saving money when I'm still borrowing it. But, after doing the financial aging exercise I realize just how important it is to start saving as soon as possible. 

Aging in the News

The article in the news I found was written in April of last year (2010). The topic of the article was the world's largest family to experience Alzheimer's disease. The family shares a common altered protein on the presenilin 1 gene on chromosome 14: the Paisa mutation. What makes this an interesting topic is that because of the family's single location, large size, and similar lifestyles it enables scientists to search for a scientific evidence that can be more accurate due to the lack of variables. By studying this family, scientists hope to be able to have treatments that can be given before the on-set of the disease in order to slow the progression or prevent the symptoms from occurring at all. This trial is set to begin this year, but does have some challenges due to the uneducated population. Also, the trial is estimated to cost $50 million dollars. Here's the article link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/02/health/02alzheimers.html?_r=1

I find this article to be intriguing because I work as a CNA, in a facility, with Alzheimer's patients. I find it intriguing how the disease progresses and the rate at which it progresses. I have seen not only how it affects the individual, but how it affects an entire family. I believe that research in this area is very important because it is affects so many people.

Financial Aging

This is definitely a topic that has not come to mind. When it asked what savings I currently had for retirement, it made me think I don't even have savings in general anymore. It is hard to imagine putting money aside for retirement when I have school loans to pay for. I think setting money aside for retirement is important though. While this calculator is not accurate, it does really put perspective on just how much it would take to reach the projected savings needed. It was sort of depressing to think of putting away 10.1% of my income towards money for retirement, or $796 a month ($9,552 a year). To think that I need $3,527,140 for retirement is crazy. I can't even imagine having that kind of money! 

When reflecting on the data provided by the calculator it made me think how comfortable would I be living with that amount of money? Would that money provide me with lots of "play room," for example vacationing? I put that I would retire 30 years before my projected life expectancy of 93. So, at 63 I'm wondering exactly how much am I going to be able to do? Will I be able to travel? What would I use this money for other than the thought that I may end up in a nursing home facility? This calculator definitely brings about some questions that I have never thought of. 

Georgia Centenarian Study

The information presented in the film connects with what we have read. The film talks about the possibility of a gene that could be correlated with life expectancy; this is something we read about. Also, previous to this class I have read that those who are more optimistic about life tend to live longer than those who are pessimistic. Many of the people in this study showed a positive outlook on their situation. 


After watching the Georgia Centenarian Study, it made me realize that I need to try to look at things in a more positive manner. I like to believe I'm a realist, but being a realist is pretty much being a pessimist because reality isn't always positive. I also took away from this that there isn't one way of living that can result in living a long, healthy life. There are many circumstances and in a way it's sort of out of your control. 


When watching the video, I was very interested in the brain dissection. Working in a facility with many Alzheimer's residents, the power of the brain continually amazes me. I thought it was interesting to see the differences in the brain from those who lived to be centenarian. Personally, I think a lot of information about aging lies within the brain. I would be more interested in other studies in this area. 

Calculating My Life Expectancy

When using the Life Expectancy Calculator at the following website: http://www.livingto100.com/, my life expectancy was calculated to be 93 years. I feel that this age does make sense because I great-grandmother lived to be 93. It was interesting to see which areas I could improve to add years to my life. There were some obvious factors like I need to manage my stress level better. It was interesting to me that it suggested taking aspirin everyday. I'm wondering if that was something meant for someone my age?

I thought all the questions asked were asked with good reason. When determining how a person ages it is important to be aware of nutrition status, exercise status and lifestyle choices such as smoking, etc. I thought it was strange to ask what my parents current age and status is.

Is Aging Genetic?

The article I found on genetics and aging was from MSNBC. It is titled, "Living to 100? Researchers Close in on Genetic Factors." Here is the link for you to check out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38041947/ns/health-aging/. The article describes a study that looked at the genetic markers of those who lived over 100. From the study, a number of genetic variances were found to be similar. To test the accuracy of the genetic variances in predicting life expectancy, researchers looked at 1,055 genomes of caucasians. The researchers were able to predict with 77% accuracy the people who were over 100 years old. It was found that the centenarians have genes that help them to live longer by protecting them from obtaining certain diseases. It was also found that centenarians that lived to be over 110 years old had three genetic variants in common.

I think this article portrays how prevalent genetics is in determining our life expectancy. Some of us, depending on our medical history may be more susceptible to diseases than others. This would cause us to not live as long. I think it is very interesting that our life expectancy may be predicted by looking at our genome, however, if this is something everyone could do I people would forget the essentials of staying healthy such as exercising and eating right. If someone said you will live to be over 100, I don't think many people will think they are doing anything wrong.

Why We Age: What Processes Cause Aging?

I think that the role of mitochondria in aging is interesting. I was not aware that damage to the mitochondria may be involved with Alzheimer's disease. I have heard the theory of damaging free radicals, or oxidants, in past classes. I agree that oxidants are a component of aging. It is because of this theory that I do my best to incorporate antioxidants into my diet. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods that can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. Antioxidants do this by preventing or repairing damage done by free radicals. Some common foods, high in antioxidants are: carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and oranges. Red wine is also known for its antioxidant properties.

Why we age...

I think there are many facets that contribute to aging. I find all three causal theories of aging, "the good-of-the species theory, the rate-of-living theory, and the evolutionary aging theory," to be very intriguing. The book makes a great point about why each can be justified and disproved.  I have always felt that cell division plays a dominate role in aging. I feel this way because cancer is predominate in the world and it is a disease that results from mutations that cause uncontrolled division of cells. The risk of cancer increases as we get older in age. 


In Why We Age, on page 65, it talks about how some research suggests that "limited cell division may inhibit healing in arterial regions that have been damaged by being bombarded with blood. Also our immune system needs rapid, plentiful cell division to operate effectively." If cells don't divide properly, or target foreign cells (viruses) as quickly, it causes us to be ill longer and puts a lot of stress on the organs. I think that stress on the body can really age a person. This is seen often in people who hold stressful positions or undergo stress times in life, such as a parent dying. 


While this doesn't support my belief of aging, it is a very different explanation as to why we age. If you have never been on TED: Ideas Worth Spreading, you should check it out (www.ted.com). It's a website that has talks and performances from "remarkable" people all over the world. One lecture that is particularly interesting is a lecture that was given by Cambridge researcher, Aubrey de Grey. He argues that aging is a disease that can be cured. This is quite a statement and he has quite an extreme argument. Check it out at: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/aubrey_de_grey_says_we_can_avoid_aging.html.

What is Healthy Aging?

What would you define as healthy aging?


I would define healthy aging as taking care of one's self in every aspect possible. To age healthily, I imagine someone who has ate well-balanced meals, exercised at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes, and who has control of the stress in their life. While these traits to me encompass healthy aging, I am well aware that in doing these it does not ultimately lead to a long, healthy life. However, by taking care of oneself, the chances of leading a healthy life are significantly higher than those who choose to lead an unhealthy lifestyle. Some examples of choices that would lead to unhealthy aging would be smoking, not exercising, eating a diet hight in fat and cholesterol, and having a stressful career. 


At what point in the lifespan does aging happen?


I think that aging is continuously happening. From the moment we are born we are aging. Our cells are multiplying and dividing.


How would you measure this?  Can it be applied to everyone?


Having taken many cell biology and nutrition courses, I have been informed of the Hayflick Limit (cells have a limited potential for cell division) and of the possibility that changes in mitochondria cause aging. While there are many physiological things that can measure aging, I think simply looking at a person can really define how well they are aging. People who take care of their bodies tend to age better than those who smoke or drink excessively, etc. 


An interesting link....


One interesting link I wanted to add for everyone to check out is the Progeria Research Foundation website. For those of you who do not know what Progeria is, it is a rare and fatal condition that causes accelerated aging in children. It is caused by a mutation in LMNA gene. The LMNA gene is responsible for holding the nucleus of a cell together. The nuclear instability is believed to be the cause of the premature aging. 


http://www.progeriaresearch.org/

Why this topic interests me

The topic of Healthy Development and Aging: A Life-Span Perspective is very interesting to me. This topic is intriguing to me not only because I, personally, want to know how to pursue developing and aging healthily, but also because I am very interested in the field of health. The past two years I have worked at Bickford Assisted Living of Ames as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Here I have been given the opportunity to see first hand how having healthy habits when younger can really determine how your quality of life will be when your older. I have also seen the effects of many diseases both physically and mentally. I look forward to this class and reading The Blue Zones, to see the habits of those who have lived a long, healthy life.