23 - Late Adulthood: Biosocial Development 23 - Late Adulthood: Biosocial Development Age 65 +

Prejudice and predictions Ageism ◦ Judging people only on the basis of their chronological age  Any age  Can become a self-fulfilling prophecy Elderspeak ◦ Demeaning way of speaking to older adults

Gerontology and Geriatrics Gerontology ◦ Scientific study of old age Geriatrics ◦ Medical specialty

Demography Study of population

Demographic shift More older people & fewer younger people Centenarians ◦ 100 years or more ◦ Fastest-growing age group Demographic pyramid (age-sex pyramid) ◦ Changing from triangle to rectangle or square  People are living longer  Fewer babies being born

Aging and disease

Primary and secondary aging Primary ◦ Universal and irreversible physical changes ◦ No specific physical illness, body just wears out Secondary aging ◦ Specific physical illness ◦ Become more common with aging

High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease ◦ Leading cause of death in men and women Six risk factors for cardiovascular disease: ◦ Diabetes ◦ Smoking ◦ Abdominal fat ◦ High blood pressure ◦ Lack of exercise ◦ High cholesterol High blood pressure is also effected by ◦ Age and genes

Compensating for age More sleep ◦ More sleep difficulties  Take longer to fall asleep Drive more slowly, not at night, or not at all

Compression of morbidity People are ill before dying a shorter period of time ◦ Better lifestyle, medicine, and technological aids

Osteoporosis “Fragile bones” Bones become more porous

How are senses affected? Taste, smell, touch, and hearing are impaired Technology helps ◦ Visual problems  Brighter lights, glasses ◦ Hearing problems  Hearing aids

Theories of aging

Wear and tear Body just wears out

Genetic clock Changes in DNA that regulates aging, cellular reproduction and repair

Cellular aging May be caused by loss if ability of cells to duplicate perfectly Free radicals ◦ Electrons that have become detached (freed) from their nuclei Oxygen free radicals ◦ Oxygen atom with unpaired electron ◦ Can cause cancer, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis Antioxidants ◦ E.g. Vitamins A,C, & E ◦ Nullify free radicals  Form bond with unattached oxygen electron ◦ May not reduce aging

Immune system B Cells (Bone) ◦ Immune cells – create antibodies destroying bacteria and viruses T cells (Thymus gland) ◦ Immune cells – attack infected cells in the body

Cell replication problems Hayflick limit ◦ Every species have a limited number of times cells will duplicate before they die.  Humans = 50 times or less  Related to errors in duplication (copying)

Telomeres On ends of chromosomes Shorten with each replication When gone, duplication stops & creature dies Telomerase ◦ Enzyme that increases length of telomeres ◦ May slow down aging

Calorie restriction 1,000 calories a day May slow down aging Reduces sex drive Temporary infertility

The centenarians 122 years = maximum human life span Diet: Little meat or fat & more fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. Work throughout life Family & community (social activity) Exercise and relaxation