1. The Aging Process
Adulthood

2. Stages of Adulthood
Social Clock: culturally based timing of life events
Ex. College 18-25, Work 20-30, Family 20-35, etc.
Three stages of Adulthood
Early adulthood (20-35)
Transitions (school, work, family/marriage, etc.)
Middle adulthood (36-64)
Establishing self (esteem, success, security)
Late adulthood (65+)
Health and well-being (retirement, physical/mental health)

3. Physical & Mental Changes of Adulthood
Mental Function – peaks in early adulthood (mid 30’s – late 40’s)
Decline in mental abilities
Loss of nerve cells, decrease in neurochemicals (ex. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.)
Need to eat for mental health
Getting older doesn’t mean getting dumber!!
Number of successful people of advancing age
Personality stays constant (even if filter changes)
Experience is a valuable teacher (elder led societies)
Senile dementia – loss of mental abilities
Typically caused by disease
ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s
Physical Changes
Nutrition & sleep patterns
Body begins to breakdown

4. Writing prompts Describe the “typical” old person to you.
What struggles do you think that old people face?

5. Concerns of late adulthood
Retirement
Financial preparation (quality of life)
Healthcare
Rising cost of living
Isolation
Dying – spouse dies & close friends become less
Women live longer than men
Institutionalizing
Removed from family, society, physical contact, mental interaction
Achievement
People still achieve
Legacy? How will I be remembered?

6. Thanatology – study of death
How does media portray dying?
Concerns of those who are dying:
Caring for self
Isolation from loved ones
Being replaced (not being remembered)
Kubler-Ross’s Stages of Dying
Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Peaceful acceptance
Death is an individual process
No right or wrong way to do
There are stages but also real feelings

7. Writing prompts
If you were terminally ill what are five things you would do, in order from most important to least important?
Why is death so difficult to discuss if it is something that every experiences?
What do we do in American society to help people deal with dying?