Exploring Somatic DNA Damage and Activity Theory in Elderly Care

This essay explores the care of older adults, focusing on somatic DNA damage theory and the activity theory of aging. It discusses how somatic DNA damage, characterized by unrepaired cell mutations, contributes to age-related diseases such as hypertension, glaucoma, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer, as seen in a case scenario involving a 94-year-old mother and a 95-year-old father. The essay also highlights the importance of the activity theory, which suggests that remaining active and socially engaged can improve the quality of life and delay the aging process. It emphasizes the need for nurses to avoid ageist stereotypes and provide care based on accurate information and relevant theories, promoting wellness in older adults. The essay concludes that integrating these theories can lead to more effective and compassionate geriatric care.

Running head: CARE FOR OLDER PERSON 1
Care of Older Person
Name
Institution

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Somatic DNA Damage
Somatic DNA damage is a theory which argues that aging is caused by a naturally occurring
unrepaired accumulation of DNA damages. Damage, in this case, is defined as an alteration of
the DNA structure to form an abnormal structure (Larsson, 2010). The somatic DNA damage is
supported by an aging theory that argues that an important part of aging is caused by gene
mutation. The body cells undergo mutation and some cells are destroyed while others remain.
Over a long period, the mutated cells copy themselves and cause aging-related problems.
From the provided case scenario, my mother who is 94 years old has hypertension, glaucoma,
type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and is moderately obese. Old age is one of the main risk factors of
age-related diseases. These age-related diseases may include hypertension, CVD, osteoarthritis,
type 2 diabetes, glaucoma, and lung disease among others. Somatic DNA damage that is
associated with aging makes an individual more vulnerable to age-related diseases (Larsson,
2010). Additionally, it is stated that my father, who is 95 years old also has hypertension,
osteoarthritis, and has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He has a hearing
impairment while my mother is visually impaired. Impaired visions and hearing are some of the
problems associated with aging. Somatic DNA damage is characterized by unrepaired cell
mutations that replicate themselves in multiple numbers. These cells have abnormal growths and
structures which may cause tumors if not destroyed by the body (Mateo et al., 2015). The tumors
eventually lead to cancer like in the case of my father in the provided case scenario.
My mother argues that at her age she does not necessarily need to follow her diet. She believes
that it is only old age that will take her. With somatic DNA damage, a lot of cells are damaged
with old age. The elderly, therefore, become more vulnerable to diabetes. They should, therefore,
plan their meals to help in managing blood sugar. The elderly should therefore plan and eat right.

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My mother thus has to avoid the consumption of donuts to prevent an increase in blood sugar.
However, in as much as the prevalence of diabetes increases with aging, research has revealed
that the risk of type 2 diabetes increases with being overweight and inactive. Thus old age does
not conclusively explain the prevalence of diabetes in individuals.
It is also important to note that somatic DNA damage can lead to abnormal growth of cells that
may lead to cancerous tumors like prostate cancer like is the case with my father (Mateo et al.,
2015). He acknowledges the fact that he has prostate cancer. The aging may not help with the
medication required to get rid of the cancerous cells. The biological theory, however, does not
mention its relationship with cancer. Therefore, it cannot be conclusively stated whether somatic
DNA damage is directly linked to cancer.
DNA damage as a result of aging may cause a decline in muscle mass. This leads to an inability
to take part in frequent physical exercises due to general body weakness. Somatic DNA damage
also has an impact on brain activity. Old age may be accompanied by memory loss thus affecting
intellectual stimulation and social interaction. Emotional growth is also affected with this
condition thus an individual may not be emotionally aware. Like in the case of the provided case
scenario, my mother does not care about her diabetes and argues that taking only two donuts will
not do her any harm.
According to the activity theory of aging, human beings at all age groups are actively aging and
therefore, the levels of activity they engage in may determine how long they live. The theory,
also known as the implicit theory of aging argues that individuals successfully age when they
remain active and continue with social interaction (Brajša-Žganec, Merkaš & Šverko, 2011). The
quality of life massively improves and the process of aging delayed when adults engage in more
activities. From the provided case scenario, my mother and father are 94 and 95 years old

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respectively. At this age, they are already experiencing some age-related diseases. The best way
to ensure that they still can enjoy life is by engaging them in light activities to improve their
quality of life. The several community services from where they get a lot of help have ensured
that they get reminders on taking part in activities of living.
As a nurse, it is important that we avoid ageist stereotypes. This requires that a nurse examines
their attitudes towards aging (Miller, 2009). In doing so, they ensure that nursing care for older
adults is based on accurate information that is based on relevant theories.

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References
Brajša-Žganec, A., Merkaš, M., & Šverko, I. (2011). Quality of life and leisure activities: How
do leisure activities contribute to subjective well-being?. Social Indicators
Research, 102(1), 81-91.
Larsson, N. G. (2010). Somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations in mammalian aging. Annual
review of biochemistry, 79, 683-706.
Mateo, J., Carreira, S., Sandhu, S., Miranda, S., Mossop, H., Perez-Lopez, R., ... & Boysen, G.
(2015). DNA-repair defects and olaparib in metastatic prostate cancer. New England
Journal of Medicine, 373(18), 1697-1708.
Miller, C. A. (2009). Nursing for wellness in older adults. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.