Late Adulthood: Body and Mind PDF

Chapter Fourteen Late Adulthood: Body and Mind 1 Overview Chapter 14: Late Adulthood – Body and Mind Characteristics of Late Adulthood Theories and Systems Neurocognitive Disorders Cognition in Late Adulthood 2 Continuing to Grow Older Late Ad...

Chapter Fourteen Late Adulthood: Body and Mind 1 Overview Chapter 14: Late Adulthood – Body and Mind Characteristics of Late Adulthood Theories and Systems Neurocognitive Disorders Cognition in Late Adulthood 2 Continuing to Grow Older Late Adulthood Covers the ages of 65 years old and above. Similar theme as adulthood Continues to examine senescence The effects of aging are typically now evident! 3 1  Demography Many countries are are seeing a big demographic shift. Resulting in a higher proportion of elderly persons. Elders make up 17% of the US population (that’s 1 in 6 people are currently over the age of 65) Average life expectancy has increased: – 1950: 65 – 2020: 81 4 What Kind of Old? Developmental researchers describe three types of late adulthood experiences: Young-old: few health problems, 74% Old-old: moderate health issues, 20% Oldest-old: serious health problems 6% 5 Prejudice towards older adults… There are many common misconceptions about the late adulthood period. Due to ageism many people believe that elderly people are: – Helpless – Not as smart – Weak – Unable to care for themselves This is not the case for most people during the majority of their late adulthood years! 6 2  Prejudice towards older adults… Ageism can lead too… – Elderspeak can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy. Loss of independence. Quicker aging. 7 New Understanding of Aging Sleep Exercise Sleep patterns change, Movement of any kind is better circadian rhythm makes than sitting still! elderly people sleepy in Become ill less often. the evening, and alert in Associated with longer life- the morning. spans. Other changes: take longer to fall asleep and wake frequently. 8 Theories and Systems Theories of Aging: Wear and Tear Theory Genetic Theory Cellular Aging Theory 9 3  Why do we age? Wear and Tear Theory Body parts and organs wear out over time Organ reserve and healing/repairs processes can’t keep up with demand. Evidence: calorie restriction studies Problem with this theory: moderate exercise 10 Why do we age? Genetic Theory Species have maximum life spans – Theorized to be 122 years old for humans – Controlled by our biological clocks – Evolutionarily it is a way to allow our offspring to thrive Different from average life expectancy – Has been increasing steadily, but maximum life span remains mostly the same. Evidence: Genes that control for aging have been found. 11 Why do we age? Cellular Aging Theory Theory focuses on ways molecules and cells are affected by aging Suggests that DNA can only be replicated only so many times! – Controlled by Telomeres 12 4  Sensory Deficits Sensory loss due to aging is natural and happens to everyone Some older adults may decline treatment in order to feel ‘younger’ – May lead to social isolation – Increase in senescence 13 Sensory Deficits: Vision Only 10% of people over age 65 see well without glasses Visual problems – Cataracts – Glaucoma – Macular degeneration 14 Sensory Deficits: Hearing Auditory problems Hearing loss gradually occurs during the aging process. 1 in 3 people aged 65-74 have a hearing loss that requires treatment 1 in 2 people aged 75+ have a hearing loss that requires treatment 15 5  Cognition in Late Adulthood Neurocognitive Disorders Cognitive slowdown (reaction time) Memories Wisdom 16 Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD) Most older adults will think and remember quite well, however the chances for a NCD increase with age. NCD: Neurocognitive Disorder 9% of adults over 65 have some form of NCD Result in loss of brain function, including problems with memory/recall, thinking, ability to perform daily tasks. Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Disease are the two most common causes of NCD. 17 Cognition in Late Adulthood There is a cognitive decline that occurs during late adulthood. Brain slowdown Why the slowdown? Longer processing times Less neurotransmitters to understand and react Less brain fluid for the Brain shrinks, about 1% a NTs to travel in. year after age 60 Breakdown in myelination Organ reserves protects us from most cognitive declines 18 6  Cognition in Late Adulthood Reaction time Increases as we age (takes us longer to react) More noticeable with age. How would this affect an elderly driver? Loss of reaction time is attributed to higher chance of a car accident when comparing 65+ to 35-64 HOWEVER Drivers aged 65+ have less crashes per year compared to drivers aged 16-29! 19 Cognition in Late Adulthood: Memory Explicit memory shows more loss than implicit. Examples of memory problems that increase with age: – Source amnesia – Prospective memory errors Stereotype threat: If older people suspect their memories are fading, anxiety itself impairs memory. 20 Cognition in Late Adulthood: Memory Not all types of memory decline with age. Vocabulary tends to increase during late adulthood years. In the absence of severe NCD, older adults will retain their long-term memories of important life events, like: – Wedding day – Birth of a child 21 7  Cognition in Late Adulthood: Creativity Creativity does not decline with age. Many accomplished artists/writers continue to produce great works into their 80s and 90s. Age related changes in cognition tend to not affect abilities related to art and music. This is the Guggenheim, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who was in his 90s: 22 Cognition in Late Adulthood: Wisdom Wisdom does not necessarily increase with age. An elder is likely to be perceived by their community as ‘wise’ if they have the following characteristics: 1. Integrity 2. Learned from their past experiences 3. Put aside’s their personal needs 23 8