Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood Chapter 15 Physical and Cognitive Development in Middle Adulthood

Physical Development Physical development in middle adulthood is a continuation of the gradual changes underway in early adulthood In older adults, the hair begins to turn grey and thins out, and new lines appear on the face There is a change in time orientation from years since birth to years left to live These factors lead to a revised self-image Prominent concerns of 40 to 65 year olds include getting a fatal disease, being too ill to maintain independence and losing mental capacities

Vision Changes in Middle Adulthood Presbyopia: what we refer to as “old eyes” Inability to adjust focus to varying distances Pupil shrinks, lens yellows, vitreous changes: poor vision in dim light decline in color discrimination There is a risk for glaucoma

Hearing Changes in Middle Adulthood Presbycusis: “old hearing”: initially, decline in sensitivity to high frequencies gender, cultural differences: men show earlier, more rapid decline hearing aids, modifications to listening environment, communication can help

Skin Changes in Middle Adulthood Wrinkles: forehead: starting in thirties crow’s feet appear around the eyes in the forties Sagging: face, arms, legs Age spots: after age 50 Faster with sun exposure, and for women

Muscle–Fat Makeup in Middle Adulthood Middle-age spread is common: adults gain fat in torso For men the fat appears in the upper abdomen and back For women fat appears at the waist and upper arms There is a decrease in muscle functioning Can be avoided by having a low-fat diet, and exercising,

Anti-Aging Effects of Calorie Restriction Restricted diet benefits diverse non-primate species: longer life reduced incidence of disease In primates and humans, more years of healthy life, not longer life

Skeletal Changes in Middle Adulthood Bones broaden but become more porous: loss in bone density women at greater risk Loss in bone strength: disks collapse, height shrinks bones fracture more easily, heal more slowly Healthy lifestyle can slow bone loss

Reproductive Changes in Women Drop in estrogen: monthly cycles shorten, eventually stop can cause difficulties: complaints about sexual functioning decreased skin elasticity, loss of bone mass Gradual end of fertility: menopause occurs This occurs between the age range: late thirties to late fifties earlier in non-childbearing women, and smokers

Menopausal Symptoms Linked to menopause hot flashes/night sweats sexual difficulties Not linked to menopause, other causes should be investigated irritability sleep difficulties depression

Menopause Symptoms Around the World Stop and think! Why is it that there is a high percentage of women in African experiencing hot flashes?

Hormone Therapy for Menopause Benefits reduces hot flashes, vaginal dryness some protection against bone loss Risks heart attack, stroke, blood clots cancer gallbladder disease Alzheimer’s and other dementias Alternatives gabapentin, antidepressants, black cohosh for hot flashes medications to prevent bone loss

Reactions to Menopause 60% of those whose periods had ceased feel very relieved Most women do not want children and are thankful that they do not have to worry about birth control Highly educated women usually have more positive attitudes towards menopause than women with less education Research shows that African American women experienced less irritability and moodiness than Caucasian Americans

Reproductive Changes in Men Decrease in sperm volume, Gradual decline in testosterone: sexual activity stimulates production Erection difficulties: frequent problems may be linked to anxiety, disease, injury, loss of sexual interest Viagra and other drugs offer temporary relief

Health in Middle Age 85% rate as excellent or good, a decline from early adulthood More chronic diseases than in early adulthood

Sexuality in Middle Adulthood Slight drop in frequency among married couples: stability of sexual activity is typical best predictor is marital happiness Intensity of response declines: slower arousal occurs Sex still important, enjoyable to most

Leading Causes of Death in Midlife, United States Turn and Share When you think about these statistics do you have any personal histories that may confirm these statistics? (40 – 65 years old)

Cancer in Middle Adulthood Cancer is about one third of all midlife deaths in the United States Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both males and females worldwide Cancer occurs when a cell’s genetic program is disrupted. This leads to uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells that crowd out normal tissues and organs. For cancers that affect both sexes, men are generally more vulnerable than women The difference may be to genetic makeup, exposure to cancer causing agents as a result of lifestyle or occupation, and men’s greater tendency to delay going to the doctor.

Cancer in Middle Adulthood Lung and stomach cancers are linked to low socioeconomic status Prostrate cancers are linked with higher socioeconomic status Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer in women, followed by colon and rectal cancer.

Cardiovascular Disease Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 25% of middle- aged deaths “Silent killers”: high blood pressure, cholesterol atherosclerosis Symptoms: heart attack (blockage) arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) angina pectoris (chest pain)

Osteoporosis Severe bone loss, fragile bones Causes: normal aging: with age, bones become more porous, loss of bone mass There is a decline in estrogen which is associated with menopause Heredity plays an important role. A family of osteoporosis increases risk Identical twins are more likely than fraternal twins to share this disorder lifestyle—diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use can cause this disorder Women develop osteoporosis earlier

Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis Diet rich in vitamin D and calcium Weight-bearing exercise ie. walking Strength training Bone-strengthening medications Early prevention

Mini-Research and Tip Sheets for Staying Healthy Cancer in Midlife http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/preventi on/midlife.htm Cardiovascular Disease https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/ Osteoporosis http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/home/ovc-20207808 Presbyopia https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/presbyopia Nutrition https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK51837/ *Hint this is a BIG link. Scroll through with your group and read for the facts you think are the most interesting for your peers to know about given our readings. Presbycusis https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/age-related-hearing-loss Share & Post your tip sheet online in the discussion board thread!!!

Hostility and Health Expressed hostility: Type A behavior pattern: That is extreme competitiveness, ambition, impatience, hostility, angry outbursts, and a sense of time pressure are prone to heart disease and other health problems Expressed hostility: angry outbursts, rudeness, criticism, contempt predicts various cardiovascular problems

Managing Stress Reevaluate the situation. Focus on events you can control. View life as fluid. Consider alternatives. Set reasonable goals. Exercise regularly. Use relaxation techniques. Constructively reduce anger. Seek social support.

Coping Styles Problem-Centered Coping Emotion-Centered Coping Identify and appraise problems Choose and implement potential solutions Emotion-Centered Coping Internal, private Control distress when the situation can’t be changed

Exercise in Midlife Physical and psychological benefits: stress management reduces disease risk Barriers to beginning in middle age: time, energy, health, convenience, lack of facilities Self-efficacy promotes exercise and is augmented by it Activities that fit personal characteristics Interventions to reach low-SES adults

Three Personal Qualities Control It is important to know that most experiences as controllable Commitment Find interest and meaning in daily activities Challenge View as normal part of life, chance for growth

Double Standard of Aging Women have negative attitudes of aging compared to aging men who have more positive attitudes Influenced by media, social messages Double standards appears to be declining, with new, positive view of middle age

Fluid and Crystallized Intelligence Depends on basic information-processing skills: detecting relationships among stimuli speed of analyzing information working memory Crystallized Skills that depend on accumulated knowledge experience good judgment mastery of social conventions Valued by person’s culture

Age-Related Slowing of Information Processing Neural Network View Neurons in brain die, breaking neural connections Brain forms new but less efficient connections Information-Loss View Information lost at each step through cognitive system Whole system slows down to inspect, interpret information

Attention in Middle Adulthood More difficulties in multitasking focusing on relevant information switching attention combining visual information into meaningful patterns inhibition May be due to decline in processing speed Experience, practice, training help adults compensate

Memory in Middle Adulthood Working memory declines from twenties to sixties: reduced use of memory strategies slower processing, attention difficulties Adults can compensate: self-paced tasks training in strategies Few changes in factual knowledge procedural knowledge metacognitive knowledge

Practical Problem Solving and Expertise evaluate real-world situations analyze how best to achieve goals that have high uncertainty get help from the experts Expertise: extensive, highly organized knowledge base provides efficient, effective approaches to solving problems result of years of experience

Changes in Creativity More deliberate, thoughtful Less spontaneous, intensely emotional Sum up or integrate ideas Less focus on new ideas Goals more altruistic

Becoming a Student in Midlife 39% of U.S. college students are over age 25; 60% of them are women Reasons are diverse: job changes, seeking better income life transitions personal achievement, self-enrichment Concerns: academic abilities: aging and gender stereotypes role overload

Sources of Support for Midlife College Students Partner and children Extended family Friends Educational institution Workplace