Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
CC-BY-SA 3.0 by Laura Overstreet from Lifespan Psychology Module 10 on Late Adulthood: http://opencourselibrary.org/econ-201/
Citation preview
Late Adulthood
A Look at Variations and Theories of Late Adulthood
Defining Late Adulthood
Census Categories 65-74; 75-84; 85-100; 100+
Quality of Life Optimal aging Normal aging Impaired aging
Source: U.S. Department of Census (He et als., 2005)
Unhappy Birthday
Stereotypes of Late Adulthood
Test Your Knowledge
There are about 10 million people aged 65 and older living in the United States. True False False. There are about 38.9 million
people 65+
About half of those over 65 are in nursing homes. True False False. Of those 38.9 million, only 1.6
million live in nursing homes.
The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase by 2030. True False True. As more people enter late
adulthood, cases of Alzheimer’s disease will increase.
About half of people over 70 have hearing loss. True False False. About a third experience
hearing loss. Rates go to almost half for people over 85.
Theories of Aging
Integrity vs. Despair Disengagement Theory Activity Theory Continuity Theory
Continuity Jimmy Buffet John Mayall Les Paul
Health
Most report good health Most report being “very satisfied”
with their life 1.6 million of the 38.9 million over
65 are in nursing homes But 85+ on increase
Average Life Expectancy
In 1900, 47.3 In 2007:
White females 80.4 Black females 76.8 White males 75.4 Black males 70 (historic racism)
Primary and Secondary Aging
Primary Aging-inevitable changes associated with age
Secondary Aging-changes caused by illness or disease
The importance of making the distinction
Primary Aging Skin and Hair Height and
Weight Body Fat Eye Problems
8% of those over 75
Hearing Loss Almost ½ of those
over 80 ‘elderspeak’
Secondary Aging Arthritis Hypertension Heart Disease and
Stroke Diabetes Cancer Osteoporosis Alzheimer’s Disease
Why Do We Age?
Cell life Hayflick limit telomeres
Free Radical Theory Protein Crosslinking DNA damage from pollutants Decline in immune system
Late Adulthood and Exercise
How Aging Affects Memory
Sensory Register Working Memory Long-term Memory Keeping the brain healthy
Cognitive Changes in Late Adulthood
A Look At Normal and Disease Related Changes
Abnormal Loss of Cognitive Functioning Organic/Disease Related
Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease Multi-infarct dementia (MID)
Nonorganic/Preventable Causes Depression (suicide rates high) Alcoholism Mixing Medications/Overmedication Poor Nutrition
Delirium?
Psychosocial Development in Late Adulthood
A Look At Family Life, Friendship, and Work in Late Adulthood
Productivity in Late Adulthood
Work Education (Elderhostel) Volunteerism (more informal than
formal); virtual volunteering Political activism (high)
Relationships Marriage Widowhood Divorce Never Married Cohabitation (SAGE) Friendships (socioemotional selectivity
theory) Residence/Neighbors
Types of Grandparents
Remote (30 percent) Companionate (55 percent) Involved (15 percent)
Frail Elderly Number expected to increase Most cared for by friends or relatives Caregiver is typically either spouse,
daughter, or daughter-in-law
Frail Elderly in Nursing Homes
Nursing homes and basic needs Quality of life is often poor Residents lack independence “Infantilization” Psychological/social needs not met
Elderly Abuse
Financial abuse Neglect Granny dumping (100,000-200,000
annually)
