Chapters 23, and 24
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Today, 7% of the world’s population is over 65, compared with only 2% 100 years ago
Ageism – A term that refers to prejudice against old people because of their age.
Gerontology – The study of old age. One of the fastest-growing specialty fields in the social sciences
Geriatrics – The medical study specifically devoted to aging.
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Dependency Ratio – the ratio of self-sufficient, productive adults, compared to dependents (children & the elderly)
Currently in US, it is 2 to 1. In other countries, it is closer to 1 to 1. Economic implications.
Book mentions that there is no need to worry about this ratio. Society will adapt to the new demographics.
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Three types of old people:
Young-old – Healthy, active adults (usually under 75)
Old-old – Older adults (usually over 75) who suffer from some type of disability
Oldest-old – Elderly adults (usually over 85) who are dependent on others for almost everything
Age, however, is not an accurate predictor of what type of "old" person you are
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Anti-Aging Measures – find the Fountain of Youth – as seen on TV
As we age, we need less calories – so diet becomes essential.
However, the diet must be balanced to get necessary vitamins, minerals, & nutrients to keep the body going.
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Aging in adulthood
Primary & secondary aging – Primary is biological whereas secondary is a combination of environment & genetics
Skin becomes drier and less elastic – age spots
Hair – Thins out, becomes grey
Body – body fat gets redistributed and the body gets smaller
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Dulling of the senses – A very high percentage of older adults (over 85) have significant losses in vision, hearing, taste, & smell
Vision problems
Cataracts – a disease in which the lens thickens and can cause distorted vision in font treated
Glaucoma – a disease that involves hardening of the eyeball due to a fluid buildup within the eye
Macular degeneration – a deterioration of the retina
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Auditory problems – 40% of those 65 have difficulty hearing normal conversation
Technology has improved the rate at which "normal" sensory functions can be maintained in the elderly.
Older adults are 200 more times as likely to die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cancer, than a 25-34 year old.
33 more times likely to die than a 25 – 34 year old.
Problems with sleeping increase dramatically as we age
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Theories of Aging
Wear & tear theory – The human body wears out because of the passage of time & exposure to environmental stressors
Who is more likely to live longer – a 4 time a week walker or one who gets little to no exercise over their life?
How long can we live?
Maximum life span – The oldest age to which a member of a species can be expected to live, under ideal circumstances. For humans – about 120 years.
Chapter 23 – Late Adulthood – Biosocial Development
Average life expectancy – The number of years the average newborn of a particular population group is likely to live. In humans, has increased over time.
74 for men – 80 for women.
Those already 65, can expect the following:
81 – men 84 for women
For those 100, the rate of those reaching 100 is doubling every 10 years.
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Intellectual functioning begins a subtle decline after age 60.
Certain subskills stay the same – vocabulary remains unchanged until about 80
Short-term memory gets weaker with age
Memory for certain events remains strong throughout one’s life
Older adults are less likely to use formal information processing techniques to answer questions. They are more likely to use what had worked in the past.
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Due to an inability to use all of one’s faculties, on-demand memory (explicit memory) is weak.
Implicit memory – memory stored in habits, emotional responses, & routine procedures. (can demonstrate how to ride a bike, but would have trouble telling someone how to do it)
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Processing speed slows down as we get older. (inability to inhibit distractions, …)
That is one of the main casualties of aging – we think much slower
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Dementia – Irreversible loss of cognitive functioning caused by organic brain damage or disease
Dementia becomes more common with age, but it is NOT a normal part of the aging process.
Often misdiagnosed
More than 70 diseases can cause dementia
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Alzheimer's Disease – Most common form of dementia. Characterized by gradual deterioration of memory and personality. Marked by plaques of a B-amloyid protein and tangles in the brain.
Risks for developing Alzheimer’s:
Age – older one gets, greater the risk
Female
Live in North America or Europe
Chromosomal abnormality
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Stages of Alzheimer’s
Stage 1 – absentmindedness, failure to recall common words
Stage 2 – Generalized confusion, deficits in speech, short-term memory, & concentration
Stage 3 – Dangerous memory loss
Stage 4 – Need full time care
Stage 5 – Non-verbal and flat affect
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Strokes are the 2nd most type of dementia
Strokes are caused by repeated, temporary obstructions of a sufficient amount of blood reaching the brain
Primary cause is hardening of the arteries
Subcortical Dementia’s
Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis
Start off a motor problems, then develop secondary cognitive problems as a result of the disease
Chapter 24 – Late Adulthood – Cognitive Development
Brain damage is permanent – once a function is lost due to brain damage, it is lost
Older adults have wisdom – that needs to shared with others.
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Self-theories – integrity versus despair – the final stage of Erikson’s theory
Pride in what one has accomplished in life or bitter over the failures
Older adults tend to have high self-esteem as they take a look back on their life story
Some find the energy to keep going and contributing – others stop caring
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Disengagement theory – An aging person’s social sphere becomes smaller and smaller as their social, vocational, and family links slowly disappear.
Theory is adults begin to anticipate a bleak existence and begin to limit interactions with others, eventually leading to isolation.
Disengagement theory is very controversial
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Dynamic theories – Emphasize change & readjustment as we get older.
Continuity theory – Theory that each person experiences the changes of late adulthood & behaves toward others in much the same way as at an earlier period of life.
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Keeping active
Volunteer work
Religious involvement
Political activism (one tough grandma)
WISDOM – use it
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Loss of a spouse due to death
Most stressful event one experiences (outside own death)
Women are 4 times more likely to outlive their spouse
Tremendous loss of routine
Loneliness
Men are lonelier than women
Single adults are lonelier than non-single
Recent widows/widowers are lonelier than those whose loss was 10 years ago
Chapter 25 – Late Adulthood – Psychosocial Development
Ways to combat loneliness
Involvement
Friendship
