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Chapter 17:

Chapter 17:. Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood. In This Chapter. Variability in Late Adulthood Centenarians (100 years old or more). Fastest growing population segment Currently 60,000 centenarians in the U.S. Over 800,000 American centenarians by 2050.

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Chapter 17:

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  1. Chapter 17: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

  2. In This Chapter

  3. Variability in Late AdulthoodCentenarians (100 years old or more) Fastest growing population segment Currently 60,000 centenarians in the U.S. Over 800,000 American centenarians by 2050

  4. Variability in Late AdulthoodCharacteristics of the Elderly Population Gerontology: Scientific study of aging Life expectancy Ethnic differences Subgroups

  5. Figure 17.1

  6. Variability in Late AdulthoodSelf-Rated Health Overview of Results • Most rate health as good • Despite health challenges, elders remain emotionally resilient • Adults with cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s Disease show earlier declines in mental abilities

  7. Variability in Late AdulthoodRacial and Ethnic Health Differences Among ethnic minorities: High level of variability Good to excellent health ratings Some difference: arthritis Health habits and health status correlated

  8. Variability in Late AdulthoodLimitations on Activities Disability: Limitations on someone’s ability to perform certain roles and tasks, especially self-help tasks Incidence by age and rate Common types Gender differences Categories of daily tasks

  9. Variability in Late AdulthoodIndividual Heredity Twin studies Family history of longevity Long life and rates of chronic illnesses

  10. Variability in Late AdulthoodHealth Habits Does health matter? Health habits that predict longevity change very little with age Most crucial variable = physical exercise Eating patterns

  11. Physical Changes Brain and Nervous System Four Main Changes

  12. Physical ChangesThe Senses and Other Bodily Organs Vision Presbyopia (farsightedness) increases “Blind spot” and reduction of vision field Night vision Cataracts Glaucoma Macular degeneration

  13. Physical ChangesThe Senses and Other Bodily Organs Hearing Gradual hearing loss Sex differences Word discrimination decreases Tinnitus

  14. Physical ChangesThe Senses and Other Bodily Organs Taste, Smell, and Touch Ability to taste four basic flavors does not seem to decline with age Sense of smell deteriorates with age Skin of elderly adults less responsive to heat and cold

  15. Figure 17.3 Age-related Declines in Sense of Smell

  16. ? ? Questions To Ponder How long do you want to live? Will improvements in lifestyle and medicine improve the quality of your elder years so that they are enjoyable? Why or why not? Other than vision, which loss of senses would affect the quality of your life the most? Which could you tolerate the best if it were lost? Why?

  17. Stop and Think If you were asked to give a presentation on the causes of physical aging, what would be your main points?

  18. Theories of Biological AgingLongevity Maximum human lifespan is 110 – 120 years Hayflick limit Genetic Limits Argument

  19. Theories of Biological AgingMore Theories to Consider Genetically programmed senescence

  20. Theories of Biological AgingMore Theories to Consider Repair of genetic material and cross-linking Accumulation of unrepaired breaks in DNA results in loss of cellular function over time Cross-linking occurs when undesirable chemical bonds form between proteins or fats Molecules fail to assume correct shape for proper functioning

  21. Theories of Biological AgingMore Theories to Consider Free radicals Molecules or atoms posses an unpaired electron that may cause irreparable cellular damage that accumulates with age Occurs more frequently in older adults because of age-related deterioration of mitochondria

  22. Theories of Biological AgingMore Theories to Consider Terminal drop hypothesis Significant declines occur within few years of death Lead to significant drops in functioning before death BUT only changes in cognitive functions support terminal drop hypothesis

  23. Physical ChangesBehavioral Effects of Physical Changes General slowing Dendrite loss Loss of muscle elasticity Decline in speed of nerve impulses Changes in temperature sensitivity

  24. Physical ChangesSleeping and Eating Patterns

  25. Physical ChangesMotor Functions Reduction in stamina, dexterity, and balance Loss of balance associated with higher risk of falling More problems with fine-motor control

  26. Stop and Think Do old people have sex?

  27. Physical ChangesSexual Activity Decreases in sexual activity has many causes 70% of young old and about half of old old continue to have sexual activity Decline in testosterone Certain medications or physical pain

  28. Mental HealthAlzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease: Very severe form of dementia • Early stages become evident very slowly • As the disease progresses, more serious declines and changes appear • Rate of decline related to age at onset

  29. Mental HealthAlzheimer’s Disease Diagnostic issues Diagnosis difficult because 80% of elderly complain of memory problems On autopsy, presence of neurofibrilar tangles and plaque deposits Mild cognitive impairment syndrome

  30. Mental HealthAlzheimer’s Disease Treatment Galantamine Use of anti-inflammatory medication Training in memory strategies and tasks

  31. Mental HealthHeredity and Alzheimer’s Disease Genetic factors appear in some but not all individuals; no gene acts alone Age of onset highly variable Wide variations in severity of behavioral effects of disease

  32. True or False? Dementia is a symptom, not a disease. It involves a different process than does Alzheimer’s Disease.

  33. Mental HealthOther Types of Dementia Dementia can have many causes • Multi-infarct dementia may appear after multiple small strokes • Many forms involve irreparable brain damage • Different forms of therapy may improve functioning

  34. Mental HealthDepression Prevalence and demographics Older adults at greater risk 14% of 65-69 year olds and 19% of 85+ year olds suffer from depression More common among less-educated adults regardless of other factors, such as ethnicity

  35. Mental HealthDepression Risk Factors

  36. Mental HealthDepression Ethnic and Cultural Differences

  37. Mental HealthSuicide Risks Gender differences Incidence increase and age Death of spouse Poor health

  38. Figure 17.4 Gender and Elder Suicide Rates

  39. Cognitive Changes Memory Memory and Aging

  40. Figure 17.5 Percentage of Older Adults with Moderate to Severe Memory Impairment UPDATE

  41. Cognitive ChangesEveryday Memory So WHERE are those car keys? Everyday memory tasks decline among older adults compared to younger adults Prior knowledge critical factor in memory functioning Loss of speed is key aspect of the process of memory decline

  42. Figure 17.7 Strategic Learning in Later Adulthood What does this tell us about older adult strategic learning?

  43. Wisdom and Creativity Factual knowledge only ONE part of wisdom Baltes measured wisdom using major life decision stories • Wisdom central to solving practical life problems • Complex answers rated as being higher in wisdom

  44. Cognitive ChangesWisdom and Creativity Gene Cohen stage theory of mid- to late-life creativity

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