Educational Resources for Students Professor David J. Demko, PhD AgeVenture News Service Return to STUDENT RESOURCES HOME PAGE. AgeVenture Glossary of Key Terms in Aging Age a statistic used to determine an individual's relative position between birth and death. Age-Audit created by gerontologist, Dr. David J. Demko, the Age-Audit refers to the concept of assessing the integrity of a system to withstand the challenges presented by the aging process. On a personal level, the Age-Audit is used to assess an individual's life-expectancy based on genetic and lifestyle factors. On an institutional level, the Age-Audit assesses the degree to which the physical and social environment of a facility or business establishment are compatiable with the age-related needs of consumers. Age Phobia anxiety about growing older based on physical appearance, health status, mental ability, dependency, feelings of abandonment, or debilitating chronic disease. Aging the normal, developmental (physical, physiological, psychological, sociological) process of growth and decline culminating in death. Alzheimer's Disease a clinical term given to late-onset, organic brain syndrome progressing in three stages of degeneration and increasing dependency: (mild episodes of memory lapse), senile dementia, followed by senile psychosis, and culminating death. See "organic brain syndrome", "senile dementia", and "senile psychosis". Anti-Aging a pop culture phenomenon of a youth-oriented society in which individuals engage in and advocate real and pseudo regimens designed to slow or reverse the human aging process resulting in youthful appearance, energy, and behavior. Boomer refers to the 78 million born between Post World War II Baby Boom 1946 - 1964, and who share a common social, cultural, political, and economic history. Centenarian an individual, who by accident, luck, or design has reached the chronological age of 100 years. Generation X refers to the 46 million born between 1965 - 1980, and who share a common social, cultural, political, and economic history. Generation Y (WHY?) refers to the 76 million born between 1981 - 1999, and who share a common social, cultural, political, and economic history. Geron originating from the Greek (500 BC) literally meaning "old one". Gerontology the study of older people (old ones) as individuals and in groups. Gerontologist an individual gainfully employed in a licensed profession associated with aging or the aged; as in gerontological social work, academic gerontology (research and teaching), retirement planner, etc. Gerontocracy rule by the "old ones" or elders. Power and privilege allocated based on chronological age. Geriatrics the study of diseases, chronic illness, and health concerns of late maturity. Geriatrician a licensed medical doctor board-certified in the diagnosis and treatment of aged patients. Gerontophobia anxiety associated with interaction among individuals of advanced age. Gerontrepreneurs coined by gerontologist, Dr. David J. Demko, this term refers to individuals who create business ventures designed to meet the health, leisure, entertainment, support service, and related needs driven by the demographics of Aging America. Life-Expectancy the amount of time (years or months) an individual is expected to live beyond their current chronological age. In the U.S., life-expectancy at birth is estimated at 77 years, and the life-expectancy of a 65 year old is estimated at 18 years. Life-Extension initiating a self-prescribed program designed to extend one's life in years beyond the current life-expectancy of 77 years. Life-Span the maximum number of years that it is humanly possible to live. The life-expectancy of Americans at birth is 77 years, but the life-span of a human is estimated to be 120 years. Longevity refers to the likelihood of living beyond one's life-expectancy (77 years), and reaching a chronological age closer to the human life-span (120 years). Pro-longevity refers to healthy behavior that supports one's longevity. Medicare the section of the Social Security Act which authorizes federal funds to provide and regulate health care for those 65-plus, disabled, or blind. Medicare is intended to provide rehabilitative or restorative care provided on an out-patient (Medicare A) or institutional (Medicare B) basis. Medicaid the section of the Social Security Act which authorizes the allocation of federal funds to the states for distribution to the indigent and medically needy. Organic Brain Syndrome late-onset brain dysfunction originating from the deterioration of brain tissue, neuro-fibral tangles, senile plaque (beta amyloid), and disruption of glucose and oxygen supply necessary for normal brain cell function. Progeria a rare condition in which an individual's process of aging is extremely accelerated for reasons that are not clear. An individual with a chronological age of 11 may physically appear to be age 80 with age-associated chronic disease such as congestive heart failure, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Retirement an event and a life stage. As an event, retirement refers to the cessation of a major life role such as one's career, which may or may not result in the adoption of new life roles. As a stage, retirement refers to that segment of one's life in which it is both socially and personally acceptable to live according to one's personal desires; such as continuing to work, voluntary service, pursuing a life of leisure, or opportunity for reflection. Senile used to connote "late-onset" such as development of a senile cataract or senile psychosis. Senile Dementia late-onset cognitive dysfunction such as memory and learning difficulties, often associated with disruption in the supply of oxygen and/or glucose necessary for normal brain cell function. Senile Psychosis late-onset disturbances in mood and personality interfering with the activities of daily living (ADL) such as eating, bathing, and dressing. Senior Citizen an elusive, ambiguous label used by public agencies and private sector industries to bestow special rights and privileges onto individuals based on chronological age. The Social Security Act defines "senior citizen" as 62 or 65 years of age. The Older Americans Act uses age 60. AARP recruits those age 50 and older. Various industries such as restaurants, movie theaters, insurance companies, and fast food vendors offer "senior discounts" to those either 45, 50, 55, 60, or 65 years of age. Supplements a catch-all term for Over-The-Counter, dietary supplements claiming the ability to enhance one's health, libido, or longevity based on real (scientific evidence in peer reviewed journals) or imagined (market hype) benefits. This unregulated industry makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between valid and unsubstantiated product claims. Youth'n coined by gerontologist, Dr. David J. Demko, Youth'n is an anti-aging strategy consisting of twelve life-extension formulas targeting the physical, emotional, mental, social, and dietary factors associated with longevity. Zoomers coined by gerontologist, Dr. David J. Demko, this term refers to trend-setting baby boomers who serve as active and adventurous role-models for their age-peers. RETURN TO TOP OF THIS PAGE