Final answer:
Senescence is the term used to describe the age-related processes that increase risk of disability, disease, and death, which includes both biological changes and the effects of lifestyle factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term used to describe the age-related processes that increase risk of disability, disease, and death is senescence. Senescence encompasses the biological, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual changes that occur as individuals age. Concerns like loss of independence, diminished physical ability, and age discrimination are intertwined with the aging process. Several theories, including modernization theory and selective optimization with compensation theory, address various aspects of aging. Additionally, the distinction between primary aging, which is due to inherent biological changes, and secondary aging, which is influenced by lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet, is crucial in understanding the complexity of the aging process. As part of aging studies, terms such as thanatology, which is the study of death and dying, and social gerontology, which examines the social aspects of aging, are also significant. The "graying of the United States" refers to the increase in the proportion of the population over sixty-five, highlighting demographic shifts and the challenges societies face in responding to an aging population.