Essay Questions
mac1091
ALGUnitIII--LateAdulthood.pptxHuman development Unit III
Late Adulthood (early 60’s-death)
Unit III
Unit III (Young Adulthood-Late Adulthood)
Young Adulthood (Early 20’s-Early 40’s)
Middle Adulthood (Early 40’s-Early 60’s)
Late Adulthood (Early 60’s-Death)
Late adulthood
Physical, Cognitive, Socioemotional
Early 60’s through >>>
My Grandma’s 90th Birthday!
Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood
Outward signs of aging
Thinning/ graying hair
Face/ skin wrinkling
People become noticeably shorter
Internal aging
Brain becomes smaller and lighter
Blood flow is reduced within the brain
Hardening and shrinking of blood vessels throughout the body
Respiratory system is less efficient
Digestive system less efficient
My Grandma’s 95th
A Theory of Aging: Cellular Clock Theory
Leonard Hayflick (1977)
On average, the human cell can only divide about 50 times – this is a finite amount. At this point, it becomes inactive. It just stops.
But how does it know? What is the 'timer' inside of it?
Every time it divides, the cell loses a part of its telomeres (think of the tips of your shoelaces – these are the ends of your chromosomes) - the telomeres keep the chromosome together and from sticking to other chromosomes
Telomeres getting shorter is like your molecular clock
FUN FACT:
People can get tested to measure how long their telomeres are! Keep in mind, this "length of life" is barring any accidental or physiological death that may be caused by other factors. It's the natural state of death.
First of all... When we think of aging for someone YOUNGER, we think of them growing stronger, healthier, bigger, taller – as a positive part of development. For a while, it makes us BETTER. But at some point, it becomes a point of decline. Why?
Contributed by: Rachel Bartels
TELOMERASE
Is associated with lengthening telomeres – this is what we have with CANCER
Cancer cells divide indefinitely! They won't stop, they won't die – in a way, cancer is the immortal cell within us
So, maybe we have telomeres that shorten for a very good reason – otherwise they could become cancerous...
Contributed by: Rachel Bartels
Psychological and Mental Disorders
15-25% of individuals over the age of 65 show symptoms of psychological disorder
Major depression – feelings of intense sadness, pessimism and hopelessness
Partly due to cumulative loss (death of partner and friends)
Declining health and physical capabilities
Loss of independence and control
Drug-induced psychological disorders
Drug intoxication
Anxiety
Dementia
Broad category of serious memory loss and decline in mental functioning
Lessened intellectual functioning
The most common mental disorder in late adulthood
Chances of experiencing dementia increases with age
Alzheimer’s Disease
A progressive brain disorder that produces memory loss and confusion
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear gradually
Unusual forgetfulness
Trouble recalling certain words during conversation
Recent memory deteriorates first, then older memories
Eventual total confusion – inability to speak intelligently or recognize family and friends
Loss of muscle control and bed confinement (near the end of life)
Memory: Remembrance of Things Past – and Present
Episodic memory
Specific life experiences
Most memory losses
Semantic memory
General knowledge and facts
Typically unaffected by age
Short-term memory
Declines gradually until age 70 (more pronounced)
Information presented quickly and verbally is forgotten sooner
Newer information is more difficult to recall
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Living in Nursing Homes
Greater the extent of nursing home care = greater adjustment required of residents
Loss of independence brought about by institutional life may lead to difficulties
Elderly people are as susceptible to society’s stereotypes about nursing homes
The Cost of Staying Well
Elderly face rising health costs
Average older person spends 20 percent of his or her income on health care costs
Nursing homes can cost $30,000 to $40,000 a year
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Elder Abuse
Physical or psychological mistreatment or neglect of elderly individuals
May affect as many as 2 million people above the age of 60 each year
Is most frequently committed by family member
Life Expectancy at Birth for Different Countries: 2010
| Country | Age | Country | Age |
| Andorra | 83.5 | Brazil | 62.9 |
| San Marino | 81.1 | Cambodia | 56.5 |
| Japan | 80.7 | South Africa | 51.1 |
| Sweden | 79.6 | Haiti | 49.2 |
| Italy | 79.0 | Somalia | 46.2 |
| United States | 77.1 | Afghanistan | 45.9 |
| China | 71.4 | Uganda | 42.9 |
| Vietnam | 69.3 | Botswana | 39.3 |
| Iraq | 69.3 | Angola | 38.3 |
| Egypt | 63.3 | Malawi | 37.6 |
| India | 62.5 | Zambia | 37.2 |
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Gerontology and the Study of Aging
Gerontologists study aging and its effects
Intellectual Abilities:
Fluid Abilities: Abilities requiring speed or rapid learning; based on perceptual and motor abilities; may decrease with age
Crystallized Abilities: Learned (accumulated) knowledge and skills; vocabulary and basic facts
Disengagement Theory: Assumes that it is normal and desirable for people to withdraw from society as they age
Activity Theory: People who remain active physically, mentally, and socially will adjust better to aging
Ageism: Discrimination or prejudice based on age
Coping with Aging
Bernice Neugarten studied the different ways people cope with aging:
Disintegrated and disorganized personalities are unable to accept aging, experience despair as they get older, often end up in nursing homes or hospitalized
Passive-dependent personalities lead lives filled with fear of falling ill, fear of the future, fear of their own inability to cope
Defended personalities seek to ward off aging and attempt to act young, exercising vigorously, and engaging in youthful activities that could lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment
Integrated personalities cope comfortably with aging and accept becoming older with a sense of dignity
My Mom, age 69
Fig. 4.6 Longer life expectancy will produce an unprecedented increase in the percentage of the population over age 65. The “boom” is expected to start at the turn of the century and peak by about 2030 to 2050 (Taebuer, 1993).
Four Psychological Characteristics of Healthy, Happy Older People (Vailant, 2002)
Optimism, hope, and interest in the future
Gratitude and forgiveness; an ability to focus on what is good in life
Empathy; an ability to share the feelings of others and see the world through their eyes
Connection with others; an ability to reach out, to give and receive social support
Fig 4.4 Negative emotions are more common before age 50 than after. The frequency of positive feelings tends to increase from midlife on into old age.
Confronting Death
Dr Elisabeth Kübler-Ross pioneered methods in the support and counseling of personal trauma, grief and grieving, associated with death and dying.
She also dramatically improved the understanding and practices in relation to bereavement and hospice care.
The study of death and dying is actually known as thanatology (from the Greek word 'thanatos' meaning death).
Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief model was developed initially as a model for helping dying patients to cope with death and bereavement, however the concept also provides insight and guidance for coming to terms with personal trauma and change, and for helping others with emotional adjustment and coping
Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief
Denial:
Denial is usually only a temporary defense for the individual. This feeling is generally replaced with heightened awareness of situations and individuals that will be left behind after death.
Anger:
Once in the second stage, the individual recognizes that denial cannot continue. Because of anger, the person is very difficult to care for due to misplaced feelings of rage and envy. Any individual that symbolizes life or energy is subject to projected resentment and jealousy
Bargaining:
The third stage involves the hope that the individual can somehow postpone or delay death. Usually, the negotiation for an extended life is made with a higher power in exchange for a reformed lifestyle.
Depression:
During the fourth stage, the dying person begins to understand the certainty of death. Because of this, the individual may become silent, refuse visitors and spend much of the time crying and grieving. This process allows the dying person to disconnect themselves from things of love and affection. It is not recommended to attempt to cheer an individual up that is in this stage. It is an important time for grieving that must be processed
Acceptance:
This final stage comes with peace and understanding of the death that is approaching. Generally, the person in the fifth stage will want to be left alone. Additionally, feelings and physical pain may be non-existent. This stage has also been described as the end of the dying struggle
Five Basic Reactions to Death (Kubler-Ross)
Denial and Isolation: Denying death’s reality and isolating oneself from information confirming that death will occur. “It’s a mistake; the doctors are wrong.”
Anger: Asking “why me?” Anger may then be projected onto the living
Bargaining: Terminally ill will bargain with God or with themselves. “If I can live longer I’ll be a better person.”
Depression: Feelings of futility, exhaustion and deep sadness
Acceptance: If death is not sudden, many will accept death calmly. Person is at peace finally with the concept of death
It has been argued that not all go through these stages in a staged pattern.
Bereavement and Grief
Bereavement: Period of adjustment that follows death of loved one
Grief: Intense sorrow and distress following death of loved one
Shock: Emotional numbness experienced after death of loved one
Pangs of Grief: Intense and anguished yearning for one who has died
Resolution: Acceptance of loss and need to build a new life
Happiness
Subjective Well-Being: Feelings of well-being occur when people are satisfied with their lives, have frequent positive emotions, and have relatively few negative emotions
Happier people tend to be
Married
Comfortable with their work
Extraverted
Religious
Generally optimistic and satisfied with their lives
Attitudes Toward Death
Hospice: Medical facility or program that provides supportive care for terminally ill; goal is to improve person’s final days
Living Will: Written statement that a person does not wish to have his/her life artificially prolonged if terminally ill; a “Do Not Resuscitate” order to doctors
I encourage all students to have a living will in place--notarized
Euthanasia
Passive: Death allowed to occur but not actively caused
Active: Steps taken, at patient’s request, to deliberately speed death; usually by injecting drugs that painlessly cause death
Physician-assisted dying: Doctor provides lethal dose of drug that patients take to end life
And a Warm thanks!
With smiles, Elizabeth
