Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Chapter 15

Physical Development Changing Midlife More people lead healthier lifestyles Medical discoveries help to slow down the aging process "60 is the new 40" Midlife serves as an important preparation for late adulthood Average life expectancy is 78 12% of US is older than 65

Physical Development Defining Middle Adulthood Begins about and extends to about Balancing work and relationships while dealing with physical and psychological changes associated with aging

Physical Development Some biological functioning declines in middle adulthood Sociocultural supports such as education, career, and relationships may peak

Physical Development Physical Changes Changes are mostly gradual Genes and lifestyle play important roles in chronic disease and when it will appear Most visible signs involve physical appearance Wrinkles, age spots, hair thinner and grayer, nails may have ridges Often looking for ways slow down the aging process

Physical Development May lose height (may be due to bone loss in vertebrae) May gain weight (increasing other health risks) Some age related loss of muscle mass and strength (Sarcopenia) Weight management and resistance training - best strategies to slow down the decline of muscles Women lose bone mass twice as fast as men do

Physical Development Difficulty viewing close objects Hearing may start to decline by age 40 High blood pressure and high cholesterol may appear Exercise, weight control and diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can often help with cardiovascular problems Advances in drug medication factor in reducing deaths to cardiovascular disease

Physical Development Metabolic Syndrome A condition characterized by hypertension, obesity, and insulin resistance Often leads to onset of diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Physical Development Lungs Little change in Lung capacity (exercise helps) Research-Low cognitive ability in early adulthood is linked to reduced lung functioning in middle age

Physical Development Sleep Average US adult gets under 7 hours of sleep is needed for optimal performance next day Habitual sleep deprivation is linked to morbidity, especially if they also have cardiovascular disease Wakeful periods are more frequent at night Sleep-disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome may increase Sleep less than 6 hours is associated with stroke symptoms Sleep deprivation associated with less effective immune system

Physical Development Frequency of accidents decline Less colds and allergies Less disease or persistent health problems But....

Physical Development Chronic disorders Disorders that are characterized by slow onset and long duration Rare in early adulthood Increasing during middle adulthood Become common in late adulthood

Physical Development Stress and Disease Cumulative effect of stress can take a toll Physical and mental health Immune systems and memory function Aerobic fitness was related to presence of a lower level Having a 'sense of control' linked to delaying the onset of diseases

Physical Development Mortality Rates Chronic diseases now the main causes of death Oftentimes caused by a single, readily identifiable condition Cancer, followed by heart disease Men have higher mortality rates than women for all of the leading causes of death

Physical Development Sexuality Climacteric-Term that is used to describe the midlife transition when fertility declines Menopause-cessation of woman's menstrual periods, usually during the late forties or early fifties

Physical Development Perimenopause Transitional period from menstrual periods to no menstrual periods May cause depressed feelings, headaches, moodiness, and palpitations

Physical Development Menopause Estrogen produced by ovaries declines Producing 'hot flashes', nausea, fatigue and rapid heartbeat HRT-Hormone Replacement Therapy Augments the declining levels of reproductive hormone production by ovaries Usually helpful for other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, quality of life and lung cancer

Physical Development Hormonal Changes in Middle Aged Men Decline in sexual hormone level and activity But many still can father children Testosterone production declines slowly TRT - Testosterone Replacement Therapy-may improve sexual function, muscle strength and bone health, mood, memory

Physical Development Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Inability to adequately achieve and maintain an erection to attain satisfactory sexual performance Affects approximately 50% of men Low testosterone level can contribute to ED Smoking, diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol level, obesity, lack of exercise, also associated to ED Viagra, Levitra, Cialis- treatment for ED, but not focused onTRT Viagra increases blood flow into the penis 60-85% success rate

Physical Development Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Ability to function sexually shows little decline Sexual activity occurs less frequently Middle-aged men want sex, think about it more, and masturbate more often than women Living with a spouse or partner impacts frequency Health is a key factor

Cognitive Development Crystallized Intelligence Accumulated information and verbal skills, which increase in middle adulthood Fluid intelligence The Ability to reason abstractly, begins to decline

Cognitive Development Information Processing Perceptual speed and reaction time, begins decline, but is not dramatic Memory decline is minimal, but does occur in the latter part of middle age Some slowdown in learning new information Working memory-where one manipulates information when making decisions, solving problems, and comprehending written and spoken language Capacity for working memory may be limited Declining memory may be caused by information overload and ineffective memory strategies, such as organization and imagery

Cognitive Development Expertise- often shows up more in middle adulthood (because it takes longer to attain) Practical Problem Solving- may improve No significant changes in everyday cognition, may be helped with accumulated knowledge as they grow older

Cognitive Development Work in Midlife The role of work is central, and peaks in position and earnings But can be saddled with multiple financial burdens Demands of work associated with poor health Declines occur in some occupations, but no differences in most

Cognitive Development Middle age is a time of evaluation, assessment and reflection of.... What they are doing now... And what they want to do in the future Thoughts of planning retirement Economic downturn and recession- can cause premature retirement, insufficient financial resources

Cognitive Development Career Challenges Globalization of work Development in information technology Downsizing of organizations Early retirement Concerns about pensions Concerns about healthcare

Cognitive Development Leisure The pleasant times after work when individuals are free to pursue activities and interests of their own choosing Adults need to learn to relax Helps with health Assist with retirement preparation and transition from work to retirement can be less stressful.

Cognitive Development Religion An organized set of beliefs, practices, rituals, and symbols....that increases an individual's connection to a sacred or transcendent other. God, higher power, or higher truth

Cognitive Development Religiousness The degree to which an individual is affiliated with an organized religion Participates in prescribed rituals and practices Feels a sense of connection with its beliefs And is involved in a community of believers

Cognitive Development Spirituality Experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner and living in a way that benefits others and society Study: More than 70% of US middle-aged adults described themselves as religious and spirituality was a major part of their lives Women have shown a stronger interest in religion and spirituality than men

Cognitive Development Religion/spirituality Some cults and religious sects encourage behaviors that can be damaging to health,such as ignoring sound medical advice But for mainstream... It is linked to health... Blood pressure, hypertension, mortality, longevity,coping with stress

Cognitive Development Meaning in Life "Man's Search for Meaning", Viktor Frankl Says most distinct human qualities are spirituality, freedom, and responsibility In middle adulthood one begins to be faced with death more often, and faced with less time in their life

Cognitive Development Baumeister and Vohs A quest for meaningful life involves fulfilling four main needs: Purpose Values Efficacy Self-worth