::Old age
::concepts
People::their Aging::accessed First::years Death::older Health::about Journal::frailty
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Old age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the life expectancy of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. Euphemisms and terms for old people include, old people (worldwide usage), seniors (American usage), senior citizens (British and American usage), older adults (in the social sciences<ref>Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition (American Psychological Association, 2009) ISBN 1433805618{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||$N=Page needed |date=__DATE__ |$B= {{#invoke:Category handler|main}}{{#invoke:Category handler|main}}[page needed] }}</ref>), the elderly, and elders (in many cultures —including the cultures of aboriginal people).
Old people often have limited regenerative abilities and are more susceptible to disease, syndromes, and sickness than younger adults. The organic process of ageing is called senescence,<ref>http://www.thefreedictionary.com/senescence</ref> the medical study of the aging process is gerontology,<ref>http://www.thefreedictionary.com/gerontology{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||$N=Full |date=__DATE__ |$B= {{#invoke:Category handler|main}}[full citation needed] }}</ref> and the study of diseases that afflict the elderly is geriatrics.<ref>http://www.thefreedictionary.com/geriatrics{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||$N=Full |date=__DATE__ |$B= {{#invoke:Category handler|main}}[full citation needed] }}</ref> The elderly also face other social issues such as retirement, loneliness, and ageism.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24572231{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||$N=Full |date=__DATE__ |$B= {{#invoke:Category handler|main}}[full citation needed] }}</ref>
The chronological age denoted as "old age" varies culturally and historically. Thus, old age is "a social construct" rather than a definite "biological stage".<ref>Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine, s.v. "old age". Online at http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198568506.001.0001/acref-9780198568506-e-4834?rskey=7F4W2c&result=4834. Accessed December 05, 2013.</ref>
Old age sections
Intro Definitions Marks of old age Perceptions of old age Old age frailty Religiosity in old age Demographic changes Psychosocial aspects Life expectancy Old age benefits Assistance: devices and personal See also References External links
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