Furthermore, as Baltes makes clear, there are some events that are generally going to impact people at various stages in their lives. For example, an East European Jew who survived World War II would probably have a historical influence that changed other age-expectations, which could impact other longevity factors. Time in a concentration camp, which would be normative for the Jewish cohort in that place and time period, would also likely impact the age of marriage, parenthood, and other culturally normative behaviors that might impact health and longevity in one's old age. While that might seem to be a dramatic example, the reality is that most generations are going to have cohorts impacted by at least one event of similar magnitude. For the practitioner working with geriatric clients, knowing the historical events that are most likely to have impacted the client and how those are likely to interact with the other two factors is important.

For many years, significant physical decline was seen as an inevitable part of the aging process. Frailty and illness were simply believed to be part of getting older. However, this is no longer considered the norm. Instead, while primary aging will impact all people to some degree, secondary aging is largely within the control of the individual. Furthermore, if someone makes significant...

For example, Type II diabetes, which is a disease that frequently onsets in late-middle or old-age, can be reversed through diet and exercise. By focusing on how lifestyle changes can help alleviate some of the deterioration and frailty that frequently accompanies old-age, professionals can help change the reality of what it means to be elderly.
References

Anstey, K., Stankov, L., & Lord, S. (1993). Primary aging, secondary aging, and intelligence.

Psychology of Aging, 8(4), 562-70.

Bee, H.L., & Bjorklund, B. (2010). Journey of adulthood, 7th Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ:

Prentice Hall.

Colbourne, F. (2012). What simple concept clears away the confusion about aging, the aging process and anti-aging strategies. Retrieved February 26, 2012 from Combat-aging website: http://www.combat-aging.com/aging-process.html

Rhodes, L.C. (2001). The complete idiot's guide to caring for aging parents. Indianapolis:

Penguin Groups, Inc.

Woolf, L. (1998). Theoretical perspectives relevant to developmental psychology. Retrieved February 27, 2012 from Webster University website:

http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/designs.html