Biology of ageing

What can I expect from this event?

We'll provide health care professionals and the interested public with an understanding of the ageing process, the impact of ageing on health, and the presentation of diseases in that age group. 

More about the event topic

Older people now represent a large segment of the population and are particularly vulnerable to a number of diseases. Often, the human body is much less efficient in older age; the ageing process is associated with a number of physiological changes that increase vulnerability and interfere with physical capabilities as well as cognitive functions.  

Older people face two major hurdles: first, the changes intrinsic to the ageing process, and second, a number of diseases that affect them. A major difference between the impact of diseases affecting young people and those affecting older people is that in young people there is usually only one disease at a time, as opposed to the multiple pathologies seen in older patients. Unless treated appropriately in a timely manner, the impact of such diseases may be significant, long-lasting, and change the status of the older person from physical, mental, and social independence and well-being to a status of physical, cognitive, and emotional dependence and disability.  

Clinicians providing healthcare to older people should be aware of the intrinsic normal physiological changes associated with the ageing process, and should be able to differentiate them from disease-associated changes. Being aware of the limitations imposed by the ageing process will allow clinicians to be in a better position to develop a management strategy tailored to an individual’s needs and

What will I learn?

• You'll get an overview of the normal physiological changes associated with the ageing process 
• Recognise the differences between the ageing process and diseases common in old age
• Appreciate that age-associated changes increase the vulnerability to certain diseases and may affect their presentations 
• Differentiate between age-associated cognitive changes, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia  
• Understand the concept of frailty