Adult Elderly Psychology ADULT ELDERLY PSYCHOLOGY What is

Adult & Elderly Psychology

ADULT& ELDERLY PSYCHOLOGY • What is the difference between the wear & tear theory and the cellular clock theory? • How can an older person ensure a positive adjustment to aging? • Describe each of the stages of death and dying in order.

INTO ADULTHOOD • Adulthood begins in the early twenties and with death in old age. • It can be divided into young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. • This Power. Point will cover middle and late adulthood.

WHAT PHYSICAL CHANGES OCCUR DURING ADULTHOOD? • The 20 s are the peak of physical health. • In the 30 s the signs of aging become more visible. • And in the 40 s, visual problems may occur, weight may increase, strength may decrease, and height begins to decrease. • Food For Thought: Has anyone ever experienced someone in a midlife crisis?

CHANGES IN WOMEN & MEN • Women experience a physical decline in the reproductive system called the climacteric, ending at about age 50 with menopause, when a woman’s reproductive capabilities are at an end. • Men go through andropause, a less dramatic change in testosterone and other male hormones.

HEALTH PROBLEMS IN MIDDLE ADULTHOOD • Many health problems first become evident in Middle Adulthood: • High blood pressure • Skin cancers • Arthritis • Heart disease • Stroke

HOW DO SCIENTISTS EXPLAIN WHY AGING OCCURS • The cellular clock theory is based on the idea that cells only have so many times that they can reproduce, and once that limit is reached, damaged cells begin to accumulate. • The wear and tear theory of physical aging states that as time goes by, repeated use and abuse of the body’s tissues cause it to be unable to repair all the damage. • The free radial theory states that oxygen molecules with an unstable electron move around the cell, damaging cell structures as they go.

STAYING ACTIVE • Research strongly indicates that remaining active and involved results in the most positive adjustment to aging. • Food For Thought: Do you know an elderly person who is extremely active? What do they do? Do you think you will do the same things when you get older?

WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF DEATH AND DYING? • Denial: the person refuses to believe that the diagnosis of death is real. • Anger: the person experiences feelings of helplessness to change things. • Bargaining: the dying person tries to make a deal. • Depression: the person feels sadness from losses already experienced. • Acceptance: the person has accepted the inevitable and quietly awaits death.