Aging is an unavoidable consequence. Aging (getting old) is a process of slowly disappearing the ability of the tissue to repair itself/replace and maintain its normal function so that it cannot survive infection and repair the damage suffered (Constantindes, 1994).
The aging process is not a disease, but a period or stage of human life, namely; infants, children, adults and the elderly. People die not because of old age but because of a disease, or also a disability. However, the aging process can lead to reduced body resistance in the face of stimuli from within and from outside the body. However, it must be admitted that there are various diseases that often afflict the elderly.
The aging process has started since a person reaches adulthood. For example, by the occurrence of tissue loss in muscles, nervous system, and other tissues so that the body dies little by little. Actually there is no clear limit, at what age a person's appearance begins to decline. In each person, the physiological functions of the organs of the body are very different, both in terms of peak achievement and decline.
Aging is a process that can be seen as a continuum of events from birth to death (Ignatificus, Workman, Mishler, 1999).
The aging process can be viewed from biological, social and psychological aspects. Social and functional biological theories have been found to explain and support various definitions of the aging process.
Biological theories attempt to explain the physical processes of aging,
including changes in function and structure, development, longevity and
death. Changes in the body include molecular and cellular changes in
major organ systems and the body's ability to function adequately and
fight disease.
Psychosocial theory focuses on the changes in
attitudes and behavior that accompany increasing age, as opposed to the
biological implications of anatomical damage. For the purposes of this
discussion, sociological or non-physical changes are combined with
psychological changes.
A multi-disciplinary approach to the theory of aging, nurses must have the ability to synthesize various theories and apply them totally to the care environment of elderly clients including physical, mental / emotional and social aspects. Thus the eclectic approach will produce a good basis when planning a quality nursing care for elderly clients.