Understanding the ageing process

The term ‘ageing’ conjures a range of perceptions and misconceptions in the minds of people of all ages. This chapter provides an overview of existing knowledge about ageing and the ageing process. Contemporary issues impacting on the older person in Australia are introduced and sequentially explored to allow insight into the lives of everyday ageing Australians, the challenges they encounter as they age and how nurses may positively influence their lives. The chapter begins with a brief account of our understanding of ageing. An overview of the demographic characteristics of the ageing population in Australia is then profiled, enabling a broader picture to emerge of the ageing community we serve. The impact of ageing at an individual, community and national level is then presented through the examination of contemporary attitudes towards ageing. Ageing theories are then introduced, presenting background information about the biological and psychosocial perspectives as to why and how we age. Moving from the 'big picture' of ageing, we present the physical changes and processes that may occur within the various body systems as we age. Myriad psychosocial changes may also be encountered with ageing and these are described and discussed. Everyone will experience physical and psychosocial changes as they grow older. The impact of these changes on each individual and their engagement with the activities of daily life is unique