Adulthood and Old Age Physical Changes l Why

Adulthood and Old Age

Physical Changes l Why age? do our bodies Cells breakdown l Cells cannot reproduce l Physical peak 18 -30 l Slow decline l Experience replaces physicality l Middle age appearance changes l

Physical Changes l Appearance l Hair changes: thins and grays l Skin dries and becomes less elastic = wrinkles l Lose weight and height l Eyesight diminishes l Hearing declines l Reaction time slows (20%)

Health Problems l Most common causes of death Heart disease l Cancer l Cirrhosis of the liver l l Lifestyles changes can slow or quicken changes and health problems.

Menopause l Between ages of 45 -50 l The biological event in which a woman’s production of sex hormones is reduced l Stops ovulation l Most women have little to no effects l No equivalent for men l Reduction in sperm slowly over time

Marriage and Divorce 90% marry l 40 -60% divorce l Success based on: l Handle conflicts l Share happy/intimate moments l Argue constructively l Respect l No ignoring, denying, exaggerating, ugly fights l

Sexual Behavior Activity does not automatically decline with age l Masters and Johnson l No physiological reason l Those who are inactive: l Boredom l Health problems l Believe it is the norm l

Cognitive Changes Knowledge and vocabulary continue to increase l Comprehension and flexible thinking improves with higher education l Seems to peak 40 -60 l Keep mind active!! l

Social and Personality Development l Personality years l Levinson’s l Female is relatively stable over theory of male development

Levinson’s Theory of Male Dev. l Important transitions Entering adulthood l Age 30 crisis l Settling down l Midlife transition l l l Generativity vs. stagnation Middle adulthood

Female Development l Women face fewer demands than men !? l Time of opportunity l Empty nest syndrome l Not all women experience l Depression l Loss in Midlife of children, possibly spouse l Menopause l Not all women experience

Old Age l What l One does old age really mean? step away from the grave? l Aging and old age is a negative? l Something to ridicule? l Trade in for a newer model? l Can’t even use the word old? Do you know some alternative words?

Attitudes towards Aging l Decremental model of aging – progressive physical and mental decline is inevitable l l Part ignorance/lack of contact Ageism – prejudice or discrimination against the elderly l Older people often don’t see this applying to them.

Stereotypes l l l l Old people sit around doing nothing Withdraw from life Are sickly Are inflexible Have dementia Are boring Have old fashioned ideas

Changes in Health l Physical strength and senses decline 1%/yr l ¼ of U. S. population obese – good health in youth follows you into old age l 40% of elderly have a chronic disease l Heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis Most die from heart disease, cancer, or stroke l Elderly health care is inferior to that of the general population l l Lower soc-econ. Class l Dr. discrimination

Changes in Life Situation Transitions are much different from early life l Depression is common l l l Genetic, unhealthy, nutrition, stress Continue to learn and develop skills l Adult ed, normal abilities

Changes in Sexual Activity Majority over 65 still interested and can be enjoyed into 60’s -70’s l Lack of related to poor health or lack of spouse l Considered by others: l Improper, silly, morally wrong l Change in ideas needed l

Adjusting to Old Age Loss of control is hardest change to handle. l Assertive persons adjust better l Support from organizations-AARP l Termination to culmination l

Changes in Mental Functioning Less decline in intelligence and memory l Older population currently is most likely not as well educated l 2 types of intelligence: l Crystal – use knowledge and learning appropriately l Fluid – solve abstractly and generate hypotheses l

Senile Dementia Small percentage l Memory loss, forgetful, disorientation of time and place, inability to think, impaired attention, altered personality l Many causes, some treatments l

Alzheimer’s Disease l l l Most common form of senile dementia 4 leading cause of death (leads to…. ) Neurological disease Frequent forgetting, poor judgment, social withdrawal Slow decline Causes? No cure

Death and Dying l l Inevitable Legal, medical, psychological, and social aspects Entangled with customs Complex and confusing with medical advances

Adjusting to Death l Thanatology – the study of death and dying l Pioneered by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross l 5 stages of psychological adjustment l Applies to person who is dying

Stages of Dying l l l Denial – shock and numbness Anger – “Why me? ” Bargaining – change ways, attend church Depression – losses incured Acceptance – calm, peaceful, detached Not everyone

What do Dying People need? l l l Respect, dignity Self-confidence Support and care Communication Help legally and financially

Hospice l l l Discussing death taboo Hospice – designed to care for special needs of dying Comfort, improve quality of life Sometimes care at home is available Frequently used now