3^rd Geriatrics and Healthcare Conference: For a better Aging Care December 09-09, 2021 Singapore City, Singapore

Track 1:  Gerontology

The study of the physical aspects of aging and other adults is Gerontology. It is the multidisciplinary study, which includes social, cognitive, cultural, mental, biology, psychology, sociology and biological factors of aging. Gerontology is the field, which is the branch of medicine, distinguished from geriatrics that concentrates in the treatment of existing diseases in older adults. The person, who studies the problems of aging from the broader perspective, is Gerontologist. For example, a Gerontologist might study the relationship between the loneliness and how genetic risks can change with age, and the way of elders using technology. Some symptoms of Gerontology:

• Increased susceptibility to infection
• Risk of heat stroke
• Slight decrease in height
• Bones break more easily
• Joint changes
• Severe arthritis

Track 2:  Theories of Aging

Aging is nothing but the process of becoming older. It represents the accumulation of changes in a human being over time, biological, psychological, physical and social changes. There are some theories of aging, in which each theory of aging provides to understand about aging from different perspectives. Theories of aging offer varying degrees of reliability, universality and validity. Damage-Accumulation theory is one of the oldest theories. The theories of aging are-

• Activity theory
• Developmental theory
• Biological theory
• Psychosocial theory

Track 3:  Geriatric Rehabilitation

Geriatric Rehabilitation is also known as Geriatric Physical Therapy, which is the branch of medicine that studies about the physical therapy issues and Rehabilitation in elder people. With the increase in age, elder people often face many changes physically and emotionally, which can affect mental, physical and social well-being. Rehabilitation is used to overcome these affects in the elderly. Geriatric Rehabilitation had a very large influence on the growth of Life Expectancy around the Globe. Patients Rehabilitation goals and outcomes can be affected by Cognitive Impairment, such as Delirium and Dementia. Some chronic diseases of Geriatric problems are-

• Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Impact on the mental health of older adults

Track 4:  Aging Disorders

Disorders, which are appeared in elder people with aging are most likely said to be Aging Disorders. Aging Disorders doesn’t mean childhood Diseases, like Chicken pox. It refers to the disorders in elders. Some common Health conditions in aged people are cataract, neck and back pain, hearing loss, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Refractive errors, diabetes depression, and osteoarthritis. Some signs of aging are Wrinkles, fine lines, Dullness of skin, Dry skin, visible pores, uneven skin tone and rough skin texture. With the increase in age, the disease burden also gradually increases. Some common diseases in aged people are-

• Dementia (Including Alzheimer's Disease)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease

Track 5: Osteoporosis

A condition in which bones become brittle and weak is said to be Osteoporosis. The word Osteoporosis means porous bone. For aged people with this disease is said to be having a great risk of unexpected and sudden bone fracture. Usually, people having less strength and bone mass suffer with Osteoporosis. Until they have a bone fracture, many people have no symptoms but people may experience some common symptoms like loss of height or bone fracture. Treatment for this disease includes a healthy diet, weight bearing exercises to prevent bone loss, and medication. Osteoporosis is sometimes a fatal condition and may also leads to hip fractures. Some foods to avoid when a person is suffering from Osteoporosis-

• Red meat
• Soda
• Salt
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Liver and fish liver oil
• Wheat bran

Track 6: Aging and Mental Health

Some natural body changes, associated with aging, leads to Anxiety and risk of depression in aged people.  Aging and Mental Health studies about the social, biological and psychological aspects of aging, associated with Mental Health. People with better health care, physical fitness, and proper diet can maintain both physical and mental health. It makes a point that, the therapies, services and strategies may control the impact of aging which causes physical and mental illness in elder people. Some mental disorders, which get worse in elder people, are schizoid, obsessive compulsive, narcissistic, dependent, avoidant, paranoid, histrionic, and schizotypal. Some ways to improve psychological health in elder people are-

• Calm your mind and body
• Help others, help yourself
• Be physically active each day
• Build social supports
• Try counselling or talk therapy

Track 7: Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the most common disease seen in aged people. Cardiovascular means that the heart and the network of blood vessels. Changes which happen with the increase in the age of a person, also increases the risk of heart diseases. The major cause of the heart disease is that, the storage of fatty deposits around the walls of arteries over many years. To reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in elderly patients, they can do some things like maintaining normal body weight with proper diet, doing some physical activities, smoking cessation, getting enough sleep. Doing these also controls high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Some common cardiovascular diseases are-

• Peripheral arterial disease
• Coronary heart disease
• Aortic disease
• Strokes and TIAs

Track 8: Cataract

Another common result of aging, which occurs most frequently in older people are cataracts. Cataracts are the darkening and clouding of the eye lens, which blocks the vision. When cataracts are small, eye glass adjustments and stronger lighting helps the eye. Most cataracts are developed due to aging and it is caused as the fibres and proteins in the lens begin to breakdown which makes the vision to become cloudy and hazy. Some of the genetic disorders that are caused due to the other health problems can increase the risk of cataracts. The solution to cure these cataracts is the Cataract surgery. Cataracts eventually cause total blindness, if it is left untreated. Some types of cataracts are-

• Traumatic cataract
• Radiation cataract
• Paediatric cataract
• Secondary cataract

Track 9: Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the treatment of mental and emotional problems. Acupuncture means inserting thin needles into the body to treat various diseases. This method of treatment has many benefits to elderly and it is meant to give treatment without using any medications. Acupuncture is the best alternative way of treating aged people, who are suffering from aches and pains. Acupuncture points can be seen in the places where, muscles, connective tissue and nerves can be stimulated. The stimulation triggers the body’s natural pain killers, while at the same time, it increases the blood flow. Uses of Acupuncture are, it relieves

• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Lower back pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Headache and migraine

Track 10: Nutrition and Healthy Aging

Healthy aging is a continuous process, which is to improve and maintain mental and physical health, quality of life and being independent throughout the life. Healthy aging helps to reduce the pressure on the health care and active aging takes part in healthy aging, which means that maintaining positive well-being, good mental, social and physical health. Good Nutrition is important for elder people, which helps to prevent some diseases such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and certain cancers. Nutrition means that maintaining a healthy and balanced diet so that our body gets required nutrients. Nutrients are the substances in the food, which helps our bodies for the growth and functioning. Some of the nutrients are-

• Fats
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water
• Proteins
• Carbohydrates

Track 11: Angioplasty and Atherectomy

There are several devices which can be threaded through the blood vessels to the site of a blockage or narrowing. Angioplasty and Atherectomy are one of the methods that can be used to open arteries, without any surgery. An Atherectomy is a procedure, performed under local anaesthesia, where, with a sharp blade on the end, a catheter helps to remove plaque from a blood vessel. This catheter is inserted into the artery through a small puncture. The process of Angioplasty increases the blood flow through the narrowed or blocked artery. Types of Angioplasty-

• Cerebral angioplasty
• Laser angioplasty
• Carotid artery angioplasty
• Coronary artery stent
• Balloon angioplasty

Track 12: Genetics of Aging

The genetics of aging states that, the lifespan is determined by the genes we inherit. This theory says that our longevity is determined by the reliant on our parents and their genes, where, it claims that aging is related to the accumulation of the genetic mutations that are not repaired and is related to the mutations that are related to long term survival. Another theory, called pleiotropic antagonism, which is related to the late effects of certain genes. Types of genetic disorders-

• Mitochondrial inheritance
• Single gene inheritance
• Chromosome abnormalities
• Multifactorial inheritance

Track 13: Aging-Immune System

Immune system does not work as you grow older; changes may occur and also becomes slower to respond. This gradually increases the risk of getting sick. The effects of aging on the immune system includes diminished function of mature lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid tissues and reduced production of B and T cells in bone marrow and thymus. As a result of this, elders cannot respond to the immune challenge as the young. The immune system helps to protect the body from environmental risk and other harmful pathogens. Some signs of weak immune system are skin infections, digestive problems, fatigue, frequent cold, delayed growth, infections, organ problem, blood disorder, delayed wound healing and autoimmune diseases. Some points to strengthen the immune system-

• Eat healthy diet
• Lower your stress level
• Get plenty of sleep
• Get active
• Maintain healthy weight

Track 14: Anti-Aging Strategies

Certain Anti-Aging Strategies are evolved, for the sake of health and well-being in the human beings. But, aging is a biological process, which can be unavoidable. Retinol causes less skin irritation, compared to tretinoin. Retinol is the substance, which is used most often as an anti-aging compound. There are many anti-aging strategies such as intermittent fasting, physical exercise, stem cell therapy, elimination of senescent cells, antioxidant intake, augmentation of autophagy, and enhancement of adult neurogenesis and transfusion of plasma from young blood.  Some Anti-Aging Strategies are-

• Clean your skin gently
• Apply self-tanner to avoid tanning
• Protect your skin from the sun
• Eat a healthy with balanced diet
• Stop smoking
• Drink less alcohol

Track 15: The Future of Aging

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of people of age 60 and over is projected to be leap from about 900 million people in 2015 to 2 billion people by 2050, globally. Older minds tend to understand the weight of each decision, as they know the value of their energy, time and happiness. Aging is usually caused by combination of reasons. Some theories say that aging is due to predetermined life span of cells. While other theories claim that aging is due to biochemical, evolution or genetic reactions. Other theories say that aging is caused by error and damage. Researchers, Technologists and scientists are giving great efforts of exploring what becoming old is meant to be and helping us to find the ways to live healthy. The things, which get better with age are-

• Happiness and well-being
• Decision-making
• Empathy
• Stress(less)
• Self confidence
• Wisdom
• Positive mind-set