MENOPAUSEGENERATIVITY

STAGNATIONDECREMENTAL MODEL OF AGINGAGEISMSENILE DEMENTIAALZHEIMER’S DISEASETHANATOLOGY HOSPICE

Create a chart with 4 columns. Label the columns “year,” “self,”

“parents,” and “grandparents.” In the 1st column, write the current

year, then continue in 5-yr increments for 50 yrs.

Write your age in the 2nd column. The 3rd column is for the avg age of

your parents. The 4th column is for the avg age of

one set of your grandparents.

Adolescence Adulthood/Old Age

AdolescenceCell growth, division,

multiplyingFacial, pubic,

underarm hair growthGain weight, grow

tallerClear vision, good

hearing, quick reaction times

Puberty, sexual maturation, menarche, spermarche

Adulthood/Old AgeCells dying, cell

division occurs less accurately

Hair begins to gray & thins out/grow hair in undesirable places

Lose weight, become shorter

Vision problems, hearing loss, reactions slow

Menopause, conception ends, gradual decline of sperm production

AdolescencePreparing for

marriageBeginning of

sexual activityLearning new

skills & intellectually developing

Encounter new developmental tasks

Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development

Adulthood/Old Age

Stay married or divorce

Vigorous sex life or inactive

Still acquiring information & expanding vocabulary

Learn to cope w/ problems & deal w/ new situations

Levinson’s Theory of Male Development

Median Age of Marriage

Entering the Adult World Age 22-28Age Thirty Crisis Age 28-33Settling Down Age 33-40The Midlife Transition Age 40-45Middle Adulthood Age Late 40’s-60

Evidence generally doesn’t support a midlife crisis for most women today“Empty Nest” syndrome can be much more difficult for widowed, divorced, or single mothersDepression most common among middle-aged women

Women in their early years may derive worth from roles of daughter, lover, wife, mother, wage earnerWhen relationships change, some experience sense of loss or personal worthlessness

Write as many thoughts, beliefs, and ideas that you have concerning the elderly.

Life Expectancy Rates

Fear of growing old one of the most common fears in society

Attitudes about aging usually based on a decremental model: physical & mental decline is inevitable with age

Result is a climate of prejudice against the elderly

Ageism feeds on myths not facts

Changes in HealthGood health in adolescence & adult life carries over into old age4 most prevalent chronic diseases:1. Heart disease2. Hypertension (high blood pressure)3. Diabetes4. Arthritis

Major causes of death among the old:1. Heart disease2. Cancer3. Strokes

Quality of health care for the elderly remains inferiorMany nursing homes have inadequate facilities

Changes in Life SituationMost late adult transitions (widowhood, retirement) often viewed as negative & lead to reduced responsibilities & increased isolationBy age 65, 50% of women & 20% of men are widowedBy age 80, 70% of women & 33% of men are widowedSymptoms of depression very common in older adults

Changes in Sexual Activity

Healthy partners enjoy sexual activity into their 70’s & 80’sBest predictor of future behavior is past behaviorSocial stigma about older people & sex (Ewwww! WRONG!!)

Adjusting to Old AgeLoss of control over the environment can cause the quality of life to sufferRetirement, disability, illness, move to a nursing home or in with a child, loss of a spouse must be adjusted toSignificant growth of organizations such as AARP, who lobby on behalf of older Americans

Changes in Mental Functioning

Crystallized intelligence (use accumulated knowledge & learning) increases w/ age & experienceFluid intelligence (solve abstract relational problems & generate new hypotheses) declines as nervous system declines

Small percentage develop senile dementia

Characterized by memory loss, forgetfulness, disorientation of time & place, decline in ability to think, impaired attention, altered personality, difficulties relating to others

Most common form of senile dementia is Alzheimer’s disease

Neurological disease marked by gradual deterioration of cognitive functioningSigns include frequent forgetting, poor judgment, increased irritability & social withdrawalEventually lose ability to comprehend simple questions & recognize family, friends4th leading cause of death in the elderlyNo cure

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: pioneer in establishing thanatology – the study of dying & deathInterviewed 200 terminally ill patientsIdentified 5 stages of psychological adjustment to death (write a brief description of each):

1.Denial“No, it can’t be happening to me” or “I feel fine”

2.Anger“Why me?” or “It’s not fair”

3.Bargaining“Just let me see my kids graduate” or “I’ll do anything for a few more years”

4.Depression“What’s the point?” or “I’m going to die, why bother?”

5.Acceptance“It’s going to be okay” or “I can’t fight it”

Individuals are unique & not all patients go through all stages or in that orderMost people have trouble dealing w/ thoughts of their own death or the death of othersMost Americans die in nursing homes & hospitalsHospices designed to care for the dying w/ dignity by making patients comfortable, pleasant & improving quality of lifeIn-home hospice care is increasing

Write your definition of death.Do you believe in some kind of afterlife? Why or why not? If yes, what’s it like?Why are funerals important?If you could know the exact time & cause of your death, would you want to know? Why or why not?Write about your funeral.

What would you want it to include?Which 3 people would you want to speak & what would you hope they say?What do you want written on your gravestone?

•Do you believe in the use of assisted suicide for terminally ill patients? Why or why not?

•What ethical issues do you believe are involved in that debate?