16 Older Adulthood

Older Adulthood Physical and Cognitive Development PSYC290 Dr. Debi Smith Azusa Pacific University

Aging Today Ageism and Stereotypes Cultural context influences how people experience growing old. In the United States, ageism—negative stereotypes of older adults —is common. In Asian nations, older people are honored—filial piety.

Population Pyramid for Selected Nations

Four Decades of Later Life Percentage of population over age 65 is increasing. By 2030, one out of every five persons in the United States will be 65 or older. Categories of older adulthood: Young old: 60 to 69 Middle-age-old: 70 to 79 (septuagenarians) Old-old: 80 to 89 (octogenarians) Very old-old: 90 to 99

Aging in Perspective There is wide diversity in the people belonging to each age group of older adults. Most older adults adapt to age-related difficulties. Physical aspects of aging are challenges to be met.

Physical Aspects of Aging Most physical changes are the result of pathological aging — the cumulative effects of aging from earlier events and lifestyle choice. Changing Body Appearance: noticeable in skin (wrinkles, warts, broken blood vessels, age spots) Muscle, Bones, and Mobility Muscles become weaker Bone mass declines – osteoporosis Vestibular system declines with age, often leading to falls

Changing Body (continued) Internal organs Most organ systems decline in function. Immune system, heart, and respiratory system Bodily reserves decline with age. Sleep Problems Half of those over 65 have sleep problems Older adults often sleep less, and have less time in deep sleep. Sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia may develop.

Changing Body (continued) The Senses become less sensitive sense of taste may decline, leading to use of more salt in food which, in turn, may lead to hypertension hearing and visual impairments common cataract glaucoma visual acuity decreases

Changing Body (continued) Brain and Nervous System brain declines in weight lateralization of functions decline central nervous system slows neurological deficiencies may develop Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease dementia may develop and involves: impaired learning and memory deterioration of language and motor functions inability to recognize familiar people and objects frequent confusion personality changes

Health, Disease, and Nutrition Chronic health problems, most common: Hypertension Arthritis Heart disease Sensory impairments Type 2 Diabetes Obesity Atherosclerosis (related to excess fats in diets) Misuse of medications leads to drug interactions or changes in metabolism.

People in United States Age 65 and Over Who Are Obese

U.S. Life Expectancies by Gender and Ethnicity, 1900–2002

The Causes of Aging Theories of Aging Senescence: normal, biological processes associated with aging, excluding disease Stochastic theories: aging is the result of wear and tear based on assaults from internal and external environments Biological clock: the pace of aging is genetically programmed At present, aging theories are not well understood, though we know more about age-related diseases like cancer, viruses, and neurological degeneration.

Cognitive Changes in Advanced Age Understanding various aspects of cognition Speed of cognition cognitive processing speed declines; slower on memory tasks; problem solving takes longer Memory affected by aging sensory memory declines speed of working memory decreases may take longer to organize, rehearse, and encode information long-term memory may decline But, overall, age-related declines in memory are gradual and nonconsequential, unless disease processes (like Alzheimer’s disease) are involved.

Cognitive Changes Wisdom – expert knowledge system that involves excellent judgment and advice on critical and practical life issues Wisdom focuses on things like the meaning of life. Wisdom requires superior levels of knowledge, judgment, and advice. Wisdom is based on depth and breadth of knowledge. Wisdom combines mind and virtue. Wisdom is easily recognized by most people. Not all older adults are wise, but fewer younger adults are.

Cognitive Decline Dementia chronic confusion, forgetfulness, and accompanying personality change serious and life-altering General causes of cognitive decline poor general health, nonstimulating environment, taking many prescription drugs Specific causes of cognitive decline strokes atherosclerosis Alzheimer’s disease

Compensating for an Aging Mind Most adults effectively compensate for age-related cognitive declines. Higher education and overall activity level are linked with less cognitive decline.

Summary Older adults experience a life much more full and rich than younger people often imagine, in spite of stereotypes about aging. How people grow old is heavily dependent on their culture. The percentage of the population over age 65 is increasing rapidly. Old age can be divided into three periods: young-old, middle-aged-old, and old-old.

Summary Physically, the cumulative effects of aging result from earlier life events more than advancing age. The body undergoes declines in most major systems. The senses become less sensitive, the brain deteriorates in certain aspects, and chronic-long-term conditions become more apparent. Older adults have slower metabolism and obesity becomes common.

Summary The main theories of aging are senescence, the stochastic theory, and the biological clock theory. Mental skills remain intact as we age, but the speed of cognition and reaction time slows. Aging affects the memory processes, but dementia is not a normal part of aging. Dementia results from poor general health, side effects of medication, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Most adults effectively compensate for age-related cognitive decline.

Older Adulthood Personality and Sociocultural Development

Personality and Aging Developmental Tasks in Older Adulthood Emotional Development in Older Adulthood Continuity and Change in Older Adulthood Successful Aging

Personality and Aging Developmental Tasks in Older Adulthood Erikson’s last stage: Integrity versus Despair Maintaining Identity Piaget’s Adaptation: Assimilation and Accommodation Emotional Development in Older Adulthood generally positive, even though they confront loss

Personality and Aging Continuity and Change in Older Adulthood stages of change or continuity: changes, but not abrupt Continuity and Change in Personality coping styles change gender differences in coping styles Magical mastery —more men— using projection and distortion Women may become more aggressive. Both are liberated from parental imperative .

Six Components of Well-Being in Adulthood Dimensions of well-being: self-acceptance positive relations with others autonomy environmental mastery purpose in life personal growth

Personality and Aging Successful Aging: majority of older Americans perceive themselves to be healthy have positive attitude toward aging Social comparison plays a crucial role in perceptions of how well they are doing. Health, money, social class, marital status, adequacy of housing, and amount of social interaction are all factors that influence self-satisfaction.

Retirement: A Major Change in Status Adjusting to retirement depends on: attitude toward work economic status health status

Retirement Option Complete withdrawal from workforce at about age 65 Fifty percent of those over 65 still work today, often out of financial necessity. Only one third of retirees report improvement in mental and physical health after retirement. Retirement maturity is how well a person is prepared to retire.

Family and Friends: Interpersonal Contexts When parenting is over Caring for an ill spouse Widows and widowers

Family and Friends When parenting is over Some couples have trouble with the empty nest syndrome. Others adapt well and continue to have happy marriages. Relationship with children and grandchildren Grandparenthood is one of the more satisfying roles of older adulthood. Today, many grandparents are actively involved in helping to raise their grandchildren.

Family and Friends Caring for an ill spouse a taxing experience, especially if a terminal illness or permanent disability Alzheimer’s disease creates a horrific strain on family and other caregivers.

Widows and Widowers Living arrangements Women more often live alone; by age 85, 80% of women are widows and 80% live alone. Social support Widows have more social support than widowers. Both widows and widowers depend most heavily on their children. Siblings may help each other as they age. Friends are important, but not reliable for long-term care.

Living Arrangements of U.S. Population Age 65 and Over

U.S. Social Policy and Older Adulthood Demographics of Aging In 2003, 1 in 8 people in the United States are over 65. In 2050, 1 in 5 will be over 65. Social Security and Medicare Social Security – U.S. government pension program of forced savings Medicare – U.S. government program that provides basic health-care for older adults

American’s Current Health Care Expenditures

U.S. Social Policy and Older Adulthood Lifestyle Options for Older Adults Nursing Homes Day-Care Centers for Older Adults Other Options Goals for Care of Older Adults respond to needs of diverse groups American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides political leadership

Rate of Nursing Home Residence, Age 65 and Over, United States

Summary Issues in personality and sociocultural development in older adulthood focus on retirement, family and personal relationships, and the impact of government policies. Older adulthood is unique as it typically involves many kinds of losses. Erikson viewed the final developmental task as achieving integrity versus despair. Maintaining a sense of secure identity requires adjustment to major events that cannot be assimilated into one’s existing self-concept.

Summary Older adults typically have more positive than negative emotions. Older adults are more well-adjusted and often happier and more satisfied than they were earlier in life. Coping styles become more mature with age and experience. As women age, they may become more aggressive and domineering. Seventy-three percent of older adults report their health and well-being as being good to excellent. Health, more than age, is more closely related to satisfaction.

Summary Retirement is an important developmental task for older adults, although one-third of older adults work after retirement. Changes in Social Security and pension regulations will require more adults to continue working. Staying connected with children and grandchildren is important in older adulthood. Caring for an ill spouse can be taxing. Older women are more likely to live alone than are older men. By age 85, 80% of women are widows.

Summary Older adults are becoming a larger percentage of the population. As a result, government programs like Social Security and Medicare are strained. Most older adults live at home; very few live in nursing homes. Day-care centers are options for older adults who need assistance. Organizations like the AARP push for social policy change and produce a good self-image for aging adults.

16 Older Adulthood

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16 Older Adulthood