The 3 phases of old age: physical and psychological changes

What is old age? What three phases of old age do we find and what characterizes them? According to Orosa (2014), cited in an article by Martínez et al. (2018), old age is an abstract concept, considered a stage of life. On the other hand, authors such as María del Carmen Amaro (2016) have considered it a socio-anthropological construction.

Broadly speaking, we can say that old age, also called third age, It is the last period of life, which follows maturity. At this stage we are already advanced in age and, although some abilities decrease, full psychological maturity is also consolidated.

The 3 phases of old age

We find three phases of old age: old age, old age itself and old age. We are going to know what changes occur in each of these three phases, on a physical and psychological level.

We are talking, however, about general changes, which do not always have to occur in the same way (or at the same exact age) in all people.

Phase 1: old age

The first phase of old age is called pre-old age, and ranges from approximately 55 to 65 years of age. In women, this phase usually arrives with the last period.that is, with the arrival of menopause.

This is the phase prior to old age itself, in which bodily and mental functions gradually decline.

Physical

On a physical level, sleep disturbances may appear. Sleep hours decrease and fat retention may also appear. Digestion becomes slower and heavier, and muscle mass atrophies.

Psychological

On a psychological level Melancholy can appear remembering moments from one’s own life. It is common to compare the present with the past. On the other hand, if you have children, you also experience empty nest syndrome (when your children leave home).

Moments of loneliness may also appear at this stage. and boredom, especially if the person retires early or is widowed.

Phase 2: old age itself

The second phase of old age goes, approximately, from 65 to 79 years. It is “pure” old age, where the weakening of biological functions is consolidated. It is also common to review the past and re-experience memories.

Physical

On a physical level, all kinds of changes appear. The bones weaken, postural and muscular problems arise that cause pain… And making great efforts is usually no longer possible. Digestion problems also appear, and the risk of suffering from some types of cancer increases.

The senses also suffer, especially vision (for example, with cataracts) and hearing (deafness). This can contribute to a greater evil: isolation.

Psychological

In the psychological field, at this stage the decline of mental processes is usually consolidated, just as in the body. Crystallized intelligence is at its maximum capacity (everything learned); On the other hand, fluid intelligence, related to mental agility, is usually at its lowest moment.

Furthermore, at this stage is when the risk of dementia begins to be more likely (from 65 years old). Specifically, in the case of Alzheimer’s, one of the most common dementias, we know that it increases dramatically with age.

According to the DSM-5 (APA, 2013), at age 65 the prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia is 0.6% in men and 0.8% in women; at 85, 11% vs. 14%, and at 90, 21% vs. 25%.

Phase 3: old age

In this last stage, from the age of 80 and onwards, the qualitative change on a physical and psychological level is important.

Physical

Fragility of bones and joints predominates; This, added to other physical changes, can reduce the person’s autonomy.

Elderly people at this stage can sometimes continue living alone, and at other times it is very complicated. Other health problems also appear that make the person more sensitive in this phase.

Psychological

Finally, on a psychological level, mental health problems may arise more likely in old age, such as depression, due to loneliness and other factors.

There is also a greater risk of social isolationdue to two reasons: friendships that are reduced due to the death of friends and the lack of autonomy that makes leaving home difficult.

Two great ways to age

Although each person ages in their own way, in each of these three phases of old age that we have seen we find two great ways of aging: naturally, or physiologically, and pathologically. What does each shape consist of?

Physiological aging

In this case, degenerative processes or diseases do not prevent the person from adapting to your environment. These changes are part of its natural evolution.

Thus, the person ages in a “positive” way, despite the changes they may experience. In short: he adapts little by little to his situation.

Pathological aging

On the other hand, pathological aging is what occurs when degenerative processes and diseases make it difficult for the person to adapt to their environment. More serious and disabling diseases also appear.

Final reflection on old age

Did you know that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the planet’s inhabitants over 60 years of age will double? Thus, over the course of this half century, we will go from 605 million to 2 billion people of this age or older.

As we have seen, third age or old age encompasses different phases that people go through. Old age is a vital stage and also a physiological process where physiological, social and psychological changes appear.

Aging is a gradual process, which occurs naturally and dynamically, and that we cannot avoid. There are people who experience a better quality of life in old age, and this depends on several factors: social support, personality, personal resources, social resources, presence or absence of psychological disorders, etc.

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