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(Carstensen, 1997). They may compensate for declining functioning by writ-ing notes to jog their memories; giving themselves more time to learn; andusing mechanical devices, such as hearing aids or canes, to compensate forloss of sensory or motor ability (Greenberg & Springen, 2001).

2. Optimism. Maintaining an optimistic frame of mind is linked to higher lev-els of life satisfaction and lower levels of depressive symptoms in later life(Chang & Sanna, 2001). Optimistic people are better able to meet the chal-lenges of aging. They assume they will be able to surmount obstacles or livewith them if necessary, including health problems.

3. Self-challenge. Seeking new challenges is a primary feature of successful ad-justment at any age. The key for most older people, as for younger people,is not to do less but to do more of the things that matter. Maintaining anengaged lifestyle is also associated with better-preserved verbal intellectualability (Pushkar et al., 1999).

Concept Chart 10.3 summarizes developmental changes in late adulthood.

Aging Successfully

What key features of successful agingare highlighted in the text? How mightyou put this information to use in yourown life?

CONCEPT CHART 10.3Development in Late Adulthood

With aging, sensory acuity declines; muscles and bones lose mass; skin loses elasticity, causing wrinkles;reaction times increase; immune functioning declines; sexual responsiveness is reduced, though not necessarily sexual satisfaction.

Declines are noted in learning and memory, especially recall of word lists or names, and in fluidintelligence. Crystallized intelligence—general verbal ability and accumulated knowledge—tends to remainstable or even improve in certain respects as we age. Dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease are not normal aspects of aging but result from brain diseases or abnormalities.

Erikson postulated that adults in later life face a psychosocial crisis of ego integrity vs. despair. Theoristssuch as Havighurst and Levinson focused on the tasks that accompany advancing age, such as maintainingmeaningful connections to families and activities that continue to imbue life with meaning. Depression is a major emotional concern faced by many older adults.

Physicaldevelopment

Cognitivedevelopment

Psychosocialdevelopment

Making a Difference A key factor in psychological well-being at any ageis engaging in meaningful activities.

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