Range of Aging in late adulthood
Differ in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and reported health
-1/3 of people over 80 say health is good
-Less than one-half of 85- to 89-year-olds have a disability
Substages of late adulthood
-Young-old: 65 to 74
-Old-old: 75 to 84
-Oldest-o
Global Aging Patterns in late adulthood
Old-age dependency ratio (OADR)
Number of persons aged 65 or older /Number of persons aged 20 to 64
2050 adults of 60 will surpass children under 15 (Japan)
Women generally live longer
Poverty among elders reduced: 35% 1959, 9% 2006
-Social services impor
Physical Changes in late adulthood
Height and weight decline
Teeth yellow
Vision: Reduced visual acuity, Cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma
Hearing: Acuity diminishes for high-pitched sounds, tinnitus
Taste and smell
-Decline in taste and smell
Quality of sleep declines with age, sl
Chronic Health Problems in late adulthood
Common health issues include
Arthritis - disease of the joints, women more affected
Osteoporosis- less bone density
Hypertension- high blood pressure, 70% over 65
Health Care and Health Promotion in late adulthood
Healthy lifestyle includes:
-Healthy diet - low fat and sugar, taking multivitamins
-Regular exercise - lowers risk of disease, increases muscle and bone mass
--Aerobic and strength training beneficial
-Avoid smoking and alcohol
In U.S. 85% 65-74 & 95% 75
Automobile Driving in late adulthood
Adults 75+ have similar crash rates as 16-20 year olds, more fatal for older individuals
Ceasing driving associated with negative consequences such as depression and social functioning. In particular reaction speed.
Cognitive Changes and Decline in late adulthood
Declines in selective attention, divided attention, sustained attention
Memory effects include
-Working memory(short term memory)decline
-Episodic(event) and autobiographical memory decline
-Source memory decline
-Procedural memory in tact(how to do thing
Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease in late adulthood
Biological brain: mass decline, space increase, neurotransmitters decline
Aging increases risk of dementia (50% age 85+ in developed countries)
Alzheimer's disease most common: 5-6 year life expectancy post diagnosis
-Don't know about Alzheimer's until de
Responding to Cognitive Decline in late adulthood
Late-life learning
-Regular mental exercise slows cognitive decline
-2/3 improved in intervention, 40% matched earlier scores from14 years
Selective optimization with compensation (SOC)
-Selecting valued activities
-Optimize performances in those activiti
Emotional and Social Development: Positive Emotions in late adulthood
Late adulthood is a time of contentment and peace
-Self-esteem seems to rise through the 70s followed by sharp decline in 80s
Older adults more accepting of past and present self
Depressive symptoms also tend to be lower
-However, as self-esteem declines,
Late Adulthood: Family Relationships
Contact with adult children continues into late adulthood
Filial piety(commitment to family) especially important in Asian cultures
Western cultures-assistance often flows from parents to children
Relationship with grandchildren are positive
-In developed
Living Arrangements in Late Adulthood
Western countries
-Living independently
--Northern Europe - independent (5% live-in)
--Southern Europe - live with child (45% live-in)
Living facilities
-Assisted living and nursing homes- choice is important!
-Income-based housing
Asian countries
-Living
Love and Sexuality in late adulthood
Marital satisfaction at peak
-Divorce would have occurred earlier leaving strongest marriages (only 1% over 65 years old)
-Fewer daily responsibilities that cause stress, more time for leisure activities
Depression and loneliness follows losing a spouse
W
Love and Sexuality Cont. in late adulthood
Sexual behavior expectations differ by culture
-Common among 106 tribes studied
With assistance some problems correctable
-Women use lubrication, men take medication for erectile dysfunction
Work and Retirement in late adulthood
Median retirement age is 60 to 63
-2% work past 65 in France
-19% in U.S., 21% in Japan
Longer life expectancies increase retirement age
Retiring impacted by
-finances, physical health, job satisfaction, job availability
-Some retire gradually or work par
Life Outside Work and Home in late adulthood
Time devoted to leisure activities, community activities, and religious involvement
-Exploritas program:Takes elders around to learn about specific topics.
Community service & service engagement
-Volunteer highest 40% but declines to 10%
-African American
Religiosity in late adulthood
Religious involvement
-Participation, practices and beliefs increase (40-50% 65+ weekly religious service)
-Women more religious than men but men hold dominate positions
-Promotes self-esteem, life satisfaction, and overall happiness, physical health
Media Use in late adulthood
Television, movies, reading, music compose 40% of leisure time
Television use increases throughout life
Impacts globalization
Internet use lowest in later adulthood
-Can have positive outcomes if taught to use Internet (e-health)
What is the difference between functional and chronological age?
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Describe automobile accident rates for elders.
Adults 75+ have similar crash rates as 16-20 year olds, more fatal for older individuals
Ceasing driving associated with negative consequences such as depression and social functioning. In particular reaction speed.
Which kind of memory tends to stay in tact?
Procedural memory in tact(how to do things)
What is one protective factor in preventing Alzheimer's?
Protective factors include: cognitive activity, physical exercise (walking 2 miles a day-50% less Alzheimer's), diet
How do cultures approach housing their elders differently?
Living facilities
-Assisted living and nursing homes- choice is important!
-Income-based housing
Asian countries
-Living independently or with adult child
-Mixed-age units
Describe sexuality in this period.
...
How is retirement experienced?
...
What role does religiosity play?
Religious involvement
-Participation, practices and beliefs increase (40-50% 65+ weekly religious service)
-Women more religious than men but men hold dominate positions