Here’s 10 ways you can tell if you’re over the hill: 1.Happy hour is a nap. 2. Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service. 3. You have to cross your legs before you can laugh at something funny. 4. You get propositioned by AARP. 5. You have a party and the neighbors don't even realize it. 6. You begin every other sentence with, "Nowadays..." 7. People are constantly putting a mirror under your nose to see if you’re breathing. 8. You take a metal detector to the beach. 9. Flowers scare you. 10. Getting lucky means you find your car in the parking lot. Sources:

The Personal Context of Later Life Chapter 14

Let’s do the activity on the first page of your chapter………………. Let’s do the activity on the first page of your chapter………………. Take out a piece of paper and write down all the adjectives you can think of that describe aging and older adults, as well as the “facts” about aging that you know.

What is it like to be old? What is it like to be old?

The population of older adults in industrialized nations has been increasing rapidly in the 20th century. The population of older adults in industrialized nations has been increasing rapidly in the 20th century. Their research predicts that in the year 2030 the number of people over 65 will equal the number in other age groups. Their research predicts that in the year 2030 the number of people over 65 will equal the number in other age groups. (MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP) (MORE THAN ANY OTHER GROUP)

As studied by demographers! The US is unprepared for this shift!

Older women outnumber older men in all ethnic groups in the U.S. Older women outnumber older men in all ethnic groups in the U.S. The number of older people in ethnic minority groups in the U.S. is increasing faster than in European Americans. The number of older people in ethnic minority groups in the U.S. is increasing faster than in European Americans. Currently, 50% of people over 65 have high school diplomas and 10% have college degrees. By 2030, 75% will have college degrees. Currently, 50% of people over 65 have high school diplomas and 10% have college degrees. By 2030, 75% will have college degrees.

Longevity – the number of years a person can expect to life Longevity – the number of years a person can expect to life Determined by genetics AND environment Determined by genetics AND environment Average life expectancy – the age at which half of the people born in a particular year will have died Average life expectancy – the age at which half of the people born in a particular year will have died The average life expectancy for people in the United States has increased steadily during the 20 th century The average life expectancy for people in the United States has increased steadily during the 20 th century

Three types of longevity. Three types of longevity. Average life expectancy is the age at which half the people born in a particular year will have died. Average life expectancy is the age at which half the people born in a particular year will have died. Useful life expectancy is the number of years a person is free from debilitating chronic disease. Useful life expectancy is the number of years a person is free from debilitating chronic disease. Maximum life expectancy is the oldest age to which any person lives. Maximum life expectancy is the oldest age to which any person lives.

Genetics programs in a period of time that you are likely to live but……. Genetics programs in a period of time that you are likely to live but……. Environment impacts how long you actually live. Environment impacts how long you actually live. Social class is among the greatest influence Social class is among the greatest influence Health insurance Health insurance Diet Diet Job exposures Job exposures

The Third-Fourth Age Distinction Third Age adults are between the ages of 60 to 80. (young-old) Third Age adults are between the ages of 60 to 80. (young-old) Many advances in knowledge and technology have contributed to the better quality of life for this group. Many advances in knowledge and technology have contributed to the better quality of life for this group. Fourth Age adults are over 80. (old-old) Fourth Age adults are over 80. (old-old) Few interventions have been developed to hold back cognitive and physiological declines in this group. Few interventions have been developed to hold back cognitive and physiological declines in this group.

Why do we age?

Biological Theories Biological Theories Wear-and-Tear Theory Wear-and-Tear Theory Years of use causes deterioration Years of use causes deterioration Cellular Theory Cellular Theory There is a set number of times cells can divide before dying (Hayflick’s Number) There is a set number of times cells can divide before dying (Hayflick’s Number) Free Radicals cause cellular damage Free Radicals cause cellular damage Metabolic theories Metabolic theories Decreased caloric intake increases life expectancy Decreased caloric intake increases life expectancy Hormonal regulatory system decreases ability to respond to stress Hormonal regulatory system decreases ability to respond to stress Programmed cell death Programmed cell death Aging is genetically programmed or prewired Aging is genetically programmed or prewired

Physiological Changes Neurons: The fibers in the axon form spiral-shaped masses called neurofibrillary tangles, which interfere with transmission of signals. The fibers in the axon form spiral-shaped masses called neurofibrillary tangles, which interfere with transmission of signals. Damaged or defective neurons collect and form neuritic plaques, which interferes with other, healthy neurons. Damaged or defective neurons collect and form neuritic plaques, which interferes with other, healthy neurons. Structural and functional imaging show age-related changes in the brain associated with cognitive processes. Structural and functional imaging show age-related changes in the brain associated with cognitive processes. The number of neurotransmitters decline The number of neurotransmitters decline Responsible for many behavior changes! Responsible for many behavior changes!

Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Cardiovascular diseases increase dramatically with advancing age. Cardiovascular diseases increase dramatically with advancing age. By young adulthood collection of fat in the arteries and in and around the heart decrease the efficiency of the circulatory system. By young adulthood collection of fat in the arteries and in and around the heart decrease the efficiency of the circulatory system. These changes increase the chances of cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), which results in hemorrhage. These changes increase the chances of cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), which results in hemorrhage. Vascular Dementia (from strokes, heart attacks, hemorrages, etc.) Vascular Dementia (from strokes, heart attacks, hemorrages, etc.) The most common respiratory disease in older adults is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema caused by smoking. The most common respiratory disease in older adults is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as emphysema caused by smoking.

Strokes are of major concern in older adults Strokes are of major concern in older adults Recovery depends on many factors Recovery depends on many factors Amount of loss Amount of loss Abilities other areas can compensate with Abilities other areas can compensate with Personal motivation Personal motivation

Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s Disease Caused by deterioration of neurons in the midbrain that produce dopamine Caused by deterioration of neurons in the midbrain that produce dopamine 30 to 50% involve severe cognitive deficits 30 to 50% involve severe cognitive deficits That other 70 to 50% have NO decline in Mental Capacity!!!! That other 70 to 50% have NO decline in Mental Capacity!!!! Estimated that approximately 1% of the population over age 60 has PD Estimated that approximately 1% of the population over age 60 has PD Treated with L-Dopa to raise dopamine Treated with L-Dopa to raise dopamine

Sensory Changes Sensory Changes Need for more light to do tasks such as reading increases Need for more light to do tasks such as reading increases Decline in ability to adjust to illumination Decline in ability to adjust to illumination Cataracts may develop Cataracts may develop Glaucoma is common Glaucoma is common Macular degeneration – progressive destruction of receptors Macular degeneration – progressive destruction of receptors

Hearing loss is the most common normative change with age Hearing loss is the most common normative change with age Taste, touch, temperature, and pain sensitivity do not decline as significantly in older years. Taste, touch, temperature, and pain sensitivity do not decline as significantly in older years. The ability to detect and distinguish smells declines after the age of 70 in many people. The ability to detect and distinguish smells declines after the age of 70 in many people. Older people fall more often due to changes in the sense of balance. Older people fall more often due to changes in the sense of balance.

Health Issues Health Issues Older adults have more trouble sleeping Older adults have more trouble sleeping Older adults have slower metabolisms, yet consume the same amount of food Older adults have slower metabolisms, yet consume the same amount of food Deficits in necessary nutritional needs Deficits in necessary nutritional needs Chances of getting cancer increases with age Chances of getting cancer increases with age

Cognitive Processes Three main components of attention Three main components of attention Vigilance – maintaining attention over time Vigilance – maintaining attention over time Difference with age is uncertain, but visual cues decrease impact of age Difference with age is uncertain, but visual cues decrease impact of age Selection – separating relevant from irrelevant Selection – separating relevant from irrelevant Young adults have more selective attention, but older adults do well if searching for target information or have practice Young adults have more selective attention, but older adults do well if searching for target information or have practice Control – ability to focus, switch, and/or divide atteintion Control – ability to focus, switch, and/or divide atteintion Cues make this easier with age Cues make this easier with age

Psychomotor speed (reaction time) Psychomotor speed (reaction time) The speed at which a person can make a specific motor response may slow with advancing age. The speed at which a person can make a specific motor response may slow with advancing age. This finding may be due to taking longer to decide what response to make, especially when faced with an ambiguous situation. This finding may be due to taking longer to decide what response to make, especially when faced with an ambiguous situation. These changes make driving with advancing age a controversial issue. These changes make driving with advancing age a controversial issue. SHOULD OLDER ADULTS HAVE TO PASS A DRIVING TEST LATER IN LIFE?

Working Memory Working Memory Processes and structures that hold information in the mind and simultaneously use it to solve a problem, make a decision, perform some function, or learn new information Processes and structures that hold information in the mind and simultaneously use it to solve a problem, make a decision, perform some function, or learn new information Working memory and psychomotor speed together predict cognitive performance! Working memory and psychomotor speed together predict cognitive performance! Ambiguous questions – older adults take longer to process and answer Ambiguous questions – older adults take longer to process and answer

MEMORY Two types Two types Explicit - remembering learned information and specific times Explicit - remembering learned information and specific times Episodic - recollection of times and events Episodic - recollection of times and events Semantic – meaning of words or concepts Semantic – meaning of words or concepts Implicit – unconscious remembering of information learned some earlier time Implicit – unconscious remembering of information learned some earlier time Few declines in semantic memory Few declines in semantic memory Older adults perform worse on tests of episodic memory Older adults perform worse on tests of episodic memory

The Impact of Beliefs About Memory Aging The Impact of Beliefs About Memory Aging Stereotypes about older people and memory loss impacts what elderly people believe about their own abilities, affecting their strategies for remembering. Stereotypes about older people and memory loss impacts what elderly people believe about their own abilities, affecting their strategies for remembering.

The E-I-E-I-O method The E-I-E-I-O method Utilizes two types of memory Utilizes two types of memory External aids (environmental) External aids (environmental) Internal aids (imagery and mental processes) Internal aids (imagery and mental processes) Then the Oh, I remember! ( O ) Then the Oh, I remember! ( O ) Help’s older Help’s older adults maintain adults maintain independence! independence!

Creativity and Wisdom Creativity – ability to produce work that is novel, high in demand, and task appropriate Creativity – ability to produce work that is novel, high in demand, and task appropriate Number of creative ideas a person has tends to increase through one’s 20s plateau in one’s 30s and decline thereafter

Wisdom Wisdom Orchestration of mind and virtue Orchestration of mind and virtue Postformal thinking Postformal thinking Action-oriented knowledge acquired without direct help from others Action-oriented knowledge acquired without direct help from others Four characteristics (Baltes & Staudinger) Four characteristics (Baltes & Staudinger) Important/difficult matters of life and the human condition Important/difficult matters of life and the human condition Truly “superior” knowledge, judgment, and advice Truly “superior” knowledge, judgment, and advice Knowledge with extraordinary scope, depth, and balance Knowledge with extraordinary scope, depth, and balance When used, well intended and combines mind and virtue When used, well intended and combines mind and virtue

No association between age and wisdom No association between age and wisdom Dependent on life experiences Dependent on life experiences Integrates thinking feeling, and acting into a coherent approach to a problem Integrates thinking feeling, and acting into a coherent approach to a problem Empathy and compassion are important characteristics of wisdom!! Empathy and compassion are important characteristics of wisdom!!

Mental Health and Intervention Depression Depression The rate of severe depression declines from young adulthood to old age The rate of severe depression declines from young adulthood to old age Higher in Latino/a older adults Higher in Latino/a older adults Older adults describe depression as “feeling helpless” or “feeling tired” Older adults describe depression as “feeling helpless” or “feeling tired” Causes Causes Biological/physiological Biological/physiological Psychosocial Psychosocial Gatz (2000) comprehensive view that depression depends on balance between biological, stress, and protective. As you age, biological increases as stress decreases. Coping skills increase……explaining a decrease with age. Gatz (2000) comprehensive view that depression depends on balance between biological, stress, and protective. As you age, biological increases as stress decreases. Coping skills increase……explaining a decrease with age.

Dementia : Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia : Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia – family of diseases involving serious impairment of behavioral and cognitive functioning Dementia – family of diseases involving serious impairment of behavioral and cognitive functioning Incident of AD increases with age (from low rate in 50s to almost 25% in those 85) Incident of AD increases with age (from low rate in 50s to almost 25% in those 85) Decline varies from one patient to the next Decline varies from one patient to the next No way to diagnose AD until death No way to diagnose AD until death

Don’t know for sure what causes AD Don’t know for sure what causes AD Genetic link Genetic link Estrogen levels in women Estrogen levels in women Neuritic plaques Neuritic plaques Apolipoprotein E Apolipoprotein E Current drugs being developed to stall the progression of AD Current drugs being developed to stall the progression of AD