Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Chapter 17- part 1: Late Adulthood Module 8 Physical Development in Late Adulthood

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. PHYSCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN LATE ADULTHOOD

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. What is old age?

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. GERONTOLOGISTS Specialists who study aging –Late adulthood as a period of considerable diversity in which people change –Growth in some areas, decline in others 424

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. How is old age divided? Some researchers divide aging people into three groups: –Young old are healthy and active –Old old have some health problems and difficulties –Oldest old are frail and need care 424

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Demographics of Aging 425

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Who are the oldest old? Fastest growing segment of the population People who are 85 or older Group's size has nearly doubled in the last 20 years Trend is occurring in every developed country in the world 424

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Ageism Prejudice and discrimination directed at older people is manifested in several ways –Negative attitudes about older people, especially about competence and attractiveness –Job discrimination 425

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Discrimination Identical behavior by an older person and a younger person is interpreted differently People talk baby talk to persons in nursing homes Most negative views are based on misinformation 425

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Physical Transitions Primary Aging Universal & irreversable changes- largely genetic Secondary Aging Changes in physical and cognitive functioning due to habits, illness, and other nongenetic or biological reasons 427

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. You know you are aging when… Grey and white hair; thinner Wrinkles Diminishing height 427

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Osteoporosis Bones become brittle, fragile, and thin, often brought about by a lack of calcium in the diet –25 percent of women over 60 have osteoporosis Largely preventable with sufficient calcium and exercise 428

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Double Standard Women, especially in Western cultures, suffer from the double standard for appearance Women who show signs of aging are judged more harshly than are men Women are more likely to dye their hair Women are more likely to have plastic surgery 427

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Changes in Internal Function Brain becomes smaller and lighter with age –Reduction of blood flow to the brain –Space between the skull and the brain doubles from age 20 to 70 –Number of neurons, or brain cells, declines 428

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. All Systems Go…or Gone? 75-year-old's heart pumps less than three- quarters of the blood it pumped during early adulthood Efficiency of the respiratory system declines with age Digestive system produces less digestive juice and is less efficient in pushing food through the system 428

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Peripheral Slowing Hypothesis Older adults’ reaction time slows significantly –Suggests that overall processing speed declines in peripheral nervous system (spinal cord and brain) 429

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Generalized Slowing Hypothesis Processing in all parts of the nervous system, including the brain, is less efficient –Older people have more accidents –Decision process is slowed down 429

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Senses Old age brings a distinct declining in the sense organs of the body Vision –Lens becomes less transparent and the pupils shrink –Optic nerve becomes less efficient –Distant objects become less acute 430

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. The Eyes Have It! Cataracts –Cloudy or opaque areas of the lens of eye that interfere with passing light, frequently develop –Cataracts can be surgically removed Intraocular lens implants 430

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Glaucoma Pressure in the fluid of the eye Glaucoma can be corrected with drugs or surgery Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) –Affects the macula

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Hearing 30 percent of adults between 65 and 74 have some hearing loss 50 percent of adults over 75 have hearing loss High frequencies are the hardest to hear 430

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Hearing Aids Hearing aids would be helpful 75 percent of the time –Only 20 percent of people wear them –Are imperfect and amplify all sounds so it is difficult to discern conversations There is a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid Because they cannot hear, some people withdraw from society because they feel left out and lonely 431

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Taste and Smell Both senses become less discriminating in old age –Due to decline in taste buds on tongue –Olfactory bulbs in the brain shrink and reduce the ability to smell People eat less and get poor nutrition Older people may over-salt their food and develop hypertension, or high blood pressure 431

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Review and Apply REVIEW Older people are often the victims of ageism— prejudice and discrimination against people based on their age. Old age brings many physical transitions, internal changes, and changes in sensory perception. Many of the changes associated with aging can cause social and psychological difficulties for older people. 431

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Review and Apply APPLY Should older people be subject to strict examinations to renew their drivers’ licenses? Should such tests cover more than eyesight (e.g. response time, mental abilities)? What issues should be taken into consideration? 431

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN LATE ADULTHOOD

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Physical Disorders Common physical disorders –Leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer, and stroke. –Higher incidence of infectious disease –Arthritis –Hypertension 432

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Psychological and Mental Disorders Common Psychological Disorders Major depression Drug-induced psychological disorders Dementia 432

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Alzheimer’s Disease Progressive brain disorder Produces loss of memory and confusion Incidence and projection 433

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease Develop gradually Start with forgetfulness Affect recent memories first and then older memories fade. Causes total confusion, inability to speak intelligibly or recognize closest family members Loss of voluntary control of muscles occurs 433

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. The Biology of Alzheimer’s Disease Production of the protein beta amyloid precursor protein goes awry Produces large clumps of cells that trigger inflammation and deterioration of nerve cell Brain shrinks Neuron death leads to shortage of various neurotransmitters 433

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. What about a genetic link? Inherited disorder Nongenetic factors such as high blood pressure or diet may increase susceptibility Cross-cultural influences 433

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Treatment and Cure No cure Treatment deals only with the symptoms Drugs effective in only half of Alzheimer’s patients Many end in nursing homes 434

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Becoming an Informed Consumer of Development Caring for People with Alzheimer’s Disease Make patients feel secure Provide labels for everyday objects Keep clothing simple Put bathing on a schedule Prevent people with the disease from driving Monitor the use of the telephone Provide opportunities for exercise Take care of caregiver! 434

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Relationship Between Aging and Illness Certain diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, have clear genetic component Economic well-being also plays role Psychological factors play important role in determining people’s susceptibility to illness—and ultimately likelihood of death 434

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Chronic Illness Most older people have at least one chronic, long-term condition –Arthritis Inflammation of one or more joints, is common, striking around half of older people –Hypertension High blood pressure, striking about one-third of older people 435

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Psychological Illness 15 to 25 percent of those over age 65 show some symptoms of psychological malady –Depression –Dementia 435

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Can well-being improve? People can do specific things to enhance their physical and psychological well-being and their longevity – their active life spans -- during old age –Eat a proper diet –Exercise –Avoid threats to health, such as smoking 435

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Sex in Old Age: Use It or Lose It Related to physical and mental health and previous sexual activity Evidence suggests that people are sexually active well into their 80s and 90s Previous sexual activity increases the desire for sex 435

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Approaches to Aging GENETIC PREPROGRAMMING THEORIES OF AGING WEAR-AND-TEAR THEORIES OF AGING LIFE EXPECTANCY 436

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Reconciling Theories of Aging Each is supported by some research Each seems to explain certain aspects of aging Why the body begins to deteriorate and die remains something of a mystery 436

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. How long will YOU live?

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Living to Age

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Diversity in Aging Lifespan averages –Caucasian in the U.S. is likely to live 76 years –African American is likely to live 71 years –Japanese is likely to live 79 years –Gambian is likely to live less than 45 years Gender averages –Male born in the U.S. is most likely to live 73 years –Female born in the U.S. is most likely to live 80 years 438

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Finding the Fountain of Youth Telomere therapy Unlocking longevity gene Reducing free radicals through antioxidant drugs Reducing calories Bionic solution: Replacing worn-out organs 437

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Review and Apply REVIEW Proper diet, exercise, and avoidance of health risks can lead to prolonged wellness during old age, and sexuality can continue throughout the life span in healthy adults. Whether death is caused by genetic programming or by general physical wear and tear is an unresolved question. Life expectancy, which has risen for centuries, varies with gender, race, and ethnicity. New approaches to increasing life expectancy include telomere therapy, reducing free radicals through antioxidant drugs, restricting caloric intake, and replacing worn-out organs. 440

Discovering the Lifespan - Robert S. Feldman Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ All rights reserved. Review and Apply APPLY In what ways is socioeconomic status related to wellness in old age and to life expectancy? 440