Understanding adulthood! Adulthood: the lifespan stage from age 18 onwards, and a time of continuing physical, social, emotional and intellectual change. →→ There is an expectation that, as an adult, a person takes on roles, responsibilities and requirements associated with becoming an adult. That we as a person has ‘grown up’. (Thoughts?????)

Early adulthood (18-39 yrs) The transition from youth and the establishment of an independent identity. Finishes growth cycles – the body enters maintenance phase. No longer produces cells for growth as in previous life stages. Your basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is the minimum calorific requirement needed to sustain life in a resting individual. It can be looked at as being the amount of energy (measured in calories) expended by the body to remain in bed asleep all day! This DECREASES during adulthood. WHY?

Middle adulthood (40-64 yrs) Seen as a time of consolidation and reflection of ones life. Peak in careers, followed by retirement. Retrenchment from work can cause emotional stress and impact –vely on self esteem. Work towards gaining optimal health to ensure good health in old age, to enjoy things like family and travel. THINK PAIR SHARE – PG 293

Later adulthood (65+ yrs) A number of changes occur that have a +ve impact on health and development. Definite retirement involves major life transition: cessation of full time work, community involvement, organised sport, new friendships. -ve impacts include: loss of memory, reduction in ability to perform tasks, death of a spouse, may not be able to live independently causing frustration, grief and loneliness.

Characteristics of physical development. (Early adulthood) Peak physical fitness, vision, touch, smell and hearing. Growth cycle completes and goes to maintenance phase. Maximum bone mass, height and bone growth ends. Energy requirements reduce.

Characteristics of physical development. (Middle adulthood) Body continues maintenance phase Signs of ageing start: greying hair, increase in wrinkles. Body starts gradual decline: vision and other senses. Gradual decline in height and reflex speed. Men: Reduction in sperm count for men, Balding occurs, Muscles weaken and fat moves to the abdominal region. Women: commence menopause (the cessation of menstruation) women in this stage are more than likely to develop breast cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Characteristics of physical development. (Later adulthood) The body’s ability to function efficiently continues to decline. The changes seen in middle adulthood continue. It is more common for individuals to suffer from illness or disability such as arthritis, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoporosis or heart conditions. Senses continue to decrease By late adulthood the body is comprised of a greater portion of fat than muscle. Reflexes continue to decline as does the speed of the nervous system.

Characteristics of social, emotional and intellectual development. Social: there is a transition from independence to interdependence with the introduction of life long partners. Early: move away from family, choose life partner, start family, establish a career, financial independence. Middle: peak career, increased community involvement, raise children. Later: becoming grandparents, may not be able to live independently, free time to enjoy knew activities.

Characteristics of social, emotional and intellectual development Emotional: the most significant change is forming intimate relationships. Early: intimate sexual relationships, choose life parnter, increased sense of identity, parenting children and increased feelings of love. Middle: increased feelings of self-worth and identity as career and family continue to develop. Coping with ageing parents, coping with changes in relationships and loss, increased feeling of security. Later: coping with grief and loss, coping with physical changes through ageing, adjusting to new self identity with children seeking their own independence and becoming grandparents.

Characteristics of social, emotional and intellectual development Intellectual: a time for further development, with regard to skills and careers. Early: learning knew skills Middle: Knowledge and skills continue to develop Later: reaction time and info processing speeds slow down. Decline in intellectual capacity with many adults experiencing memory loss.