1. Chapter 12
Middle Adulthood

2. Middle Adulthood The period from mid 40s to early 60s Goals
Establishing and adjusting to new family roles
Securing economic stability
Maintaining a positive self-image
Evaluating or redesigning career options
Maintaining health

3. Physical Characteristics
Height and weight
Muscle and bone development
Dentition
Development of other body systems

4. Vital Signs
No significant changes in the healthy middle-aged adult’s vital signs as compared with those of a younger adult

5. Developmental Milestones
Sexual development
Change of life
Menopause
Climacteric

6. Psychosocial Development
Erikson’s stage of generativity
Establishing and adjusting to new family roles
Securing economic stability
Maintaining a positive self-image
Evaluating or redesigning career options
Maintaining health

7. Cognitive Development
Mental ability and memory at peak performance
Think in a concrete, pragmatic manner
Many seek further education to fulfill personal interests

8. Moral Development Address personal values and beliefs
Spirituality becomes important to some
Committed to improving the welfare of others
Achieve a balance between personal needs, moral duties, and society’s demands

9. Nutrition Maintain healthy eating patterns
Limit intake of sodium, caffeine, and fats
Metabolism slows and weight is redistributed
Maintain adequate calcium intake to ensure bone mass, muscle contraction, and blood pressure

10. Sleep and Rest May need less sleep than at earlier stages
Sleep problems may be related to
Stress
Health problems
Lack of physical activity

11. Exercise and Leisure Maintain regular aerobic exercise Walking
Swimming
Bicycling
Engaging in hobbies of interest

12. Safety
Accident prevention
Identify safety issues

13. Health Promotion Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Healthy diet and weight management
Regular exercise
Regular physical exams

14. Common Health Concerns
High cholesterol
Obesity
Hypertension
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Fibrocystic breast disease
Benign prostatic hypertrophy

15. Chapter Challenge
Explain the term generativity and how it applies to this stage
List common signs of menopause
Explain the empty nest syndrome