Human Development A Cultural Approach Chapter 12 Late

Human Development A Cultural Approach Chapter 12 Late Adulthood Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Physical Development Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cultural Beliefs about Late Adulthood • Perception of late adulthood § Asian, African, and Latin cultures have favorable view § Western culture views becoming favorable - Still combat some ageism Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cultural Beliefs about Late Adulthood • Substages of late adulthood § Young-Old— 65 -74 § Old-Old— 75 -84 § Oldest-Old— 85 and up Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cultural Beliefs about Late Adulthood • Perception of late adulthood • Each substage is different regarding physical, cognitive, and social functioning Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cultural Beliefs about Late Adulthood • Differ in performing activities of daily living (ADL’s) and reported health § 1/3 of people over 80 say health is good § Less than ½ of 85 -89 year olds have a disability • Functional age may be better concept to use than chronological age Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Global Aging Pattern • Old-Age Dependency Ratio (OADR) § Number of persons aged 65 or older Number of persons aged 20 -64 • Bottom number represent work force who pay into government Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Global Aging Pattern • Top number represents those not in workforce but receive government benefits • OADR increase means more people receiving benefits and not enough paying in to cover Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Global Aging Pattern • Reasons for climbing OADR § Birth rate peaked (represent workforce) § Medical care increases longevity • Some gender differences in life expectancy Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Physical Changes • Hair continues to gray and thin • Bones thin especially in women • Age spots develop—sun exposure hastens development • Height and weight decline • Teeth yellow • Exercise and healthy diet can slow some appearance changes Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Changes in Senses • Vision § Reduced visual acuity § Cataracts - Most common visual impairment § Increased chance of Macular Degeneration § Increased chance of Glaucoma Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Changes in Senses Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Changes in Senses • Hearing § Acuity diminishes for high-pitched sounds § May develop tinnitus § Can lead to social isolation • Taste and smell § Decline in taste and smell can make food less enjoyable § Dangerous smells not detected Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Physical Changes in Sleep • Quality of sleep declines with age § Sleep less deeply § Time in light sleep increases • Sleep Apnea common sleep problem § Can be treated with CPAP device • Psychological issues can also impair sleep § Depression, anxiety, and medical conditions Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Health in Late Adulthood Chronic Health Problems • Common health issues are: arthritis osteoporosis, and hypertension • Arthritis—disease of the joints § Cartilage that cushions joints wear out § Women affected more than men - Management involves medication, inserting new joints and/or exercise Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Health in Late Adulthood Chronic Health Problems • Osteoporosis § Increased risk for broken bones § Exercise and calcium-rich diet for treatment • Hypertension § Secondary aging makes condition worsen § Diet and medications are treatment options Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Health in Late Adulthood Health Care and Health Promotion • Medical intervention can combat health problems • Developed countries allow access to healthcare • Rising OADR will cause future financial strain • Healthy lifestyle can help Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Figure 12. 3 Use of Medical Resources by Age Group Persons age 65 and over consume far more medical resources than persons in other age groups. Source: OECD (2009) Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Health in Late Adulthood Health Care and Health Promotion • Healthy lifestyle includes: § Healthy diet—low fat and sugar, taking multivitamins § Regular exercise—lowers risk of disease, increases muscle and bone mass - Aerobic and strength training beneficial § Avoid smoking and alcohol Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cognitive Development Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cognitive Changes and Decline Changes in Attention and Memory • Declines in § Selective Attention § Divided Attention § Sustained Attention • Memory effects include § Working memory decline § Episodic and autobiographical memory decline § Source memory decline Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cognitive Changes and Decline Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease • Biological brain changes include § Brain mass decline § Spaces within brain increase - Hippocampus, cerebellum, frontal lobes § Neurotransmitters decline - Acetylcholine and dopamine Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cognitive Changes and Decline Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease • Aging increases risk of dementia § Alzheimer’s disease most common - Loss of memory for recent events including people - increased anxiety and aggression § Two features include - Accumulation of plaques - Neurofibrillary tangles Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Cognitive Changes and Decline Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease • Risk factors include § Gene - Apo. E gene or all onset but may not determine developing Alzheimer’s § Diet • Protective factors include § Cognitive activity § Physical exercise § Diet Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Alternative Views on Cognitive Changes Wisdom • Wisdom—expertise in the conduct and meaning of life § Includes insight, knowledge, strategies, values, and awareness • Current research § No clear link to age and being wise § Future research may examine cultural differences § Impact of culture’s rates of social change Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Alternative Views on Cognitive Changes Dealing with Cognitive Decline • Late-life learning § Regular mental exercise slows cognitive decline • Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) § Selecting valued activities § Optimize performances in those activities § Compensating for decline by using new strategies Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Alternative Views on Cognitive Changes Dealing with Cognitive Decline Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Emotional and Social Development Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Figure 12. 4 Age and Emotional States In the course of late adulthood, positive affect rises steadily. Source: Mroczek (2001) Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Emotional and Self-Development Theories on Emotions in Late Adulthood • Erikson’s—Ego integrity vs. despair § Ego integrity—looking back on one’s life and accepting outcome § Despair—regrets and bitterness about the course of one’s life • Physical and cognitive problems can impact self-esteem and integrity § Depression can increase risk of despair Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Emotional and Self-Development Theories on Emotions in Late Adulthood • Socioemotional Selectivity Theory— maximize emotional well-being by becoming increasingly selective with social contacts § Goals change - Knowledge based - Emotion based • Older adults seek relationships low in conflict and high in mutual enjoyment Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Contact with adult children continue into late adulthood • Asian cultures believe in Filial Piety § Obligation to parents and provide care with age § Assistance flows from children to parents Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Western cultures § Assistance flows from parents to children • Gender differences § Daughters provide more care § Sons financial Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Family Relationships • Relationships with grandchildren are positive § Closeness and affection remain strong § Gender differences - Closer to grandmother than grandfather § Great grandchildren signal family endurance Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Living Arrangements in Late Adulthood • Western countries § Living independently - Northern Europe—Independent - Southern Europe—Live with child § Living facilities - Assisted living and nursing homes - Personal control important • Asian countries § Living independently or with adult child Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Marital satisfaction at peak § Divorce would have occurred earlier leaving strongest marriages § Fewer daily responsibilities that cause stress § More time to enjoy leisure activities § Solve disagreements calmly Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Depression and loneliness follows losing a spouse • Widows more common than widowers • Social contact important for recovery Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Sexual behavior expectations differ by culture • Activity relies on partner availability and physical health • With assistance some problems correctable § Women—lubrication, Men—medication for erectile dysfunction Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Love and Sexuality • Intimate acts more common than sexual intercourse • Masturbation remains common Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

Figure 12. 6 Sexuality in Middle and Late Adulthood In American society, many adults age 45 and over take part in a variety of sexual activities. This figure shows the percentage of adults engaging in sexual activities once a week or more often within the past six months. Source: Based on AARP (2009) Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Work and Retirement • Median retirement age is 60– 63 • Longer life expectancies increase retirement age • Retiring impacted by § Finances, physical health, and job satisfaction Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Work and Retirement • Satisfaction highest if retirement by choice • May retire gradually but not for money § Social contact and remaining active • May have problems in obtaining work Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Life Outside of Work and Home • Time devoted to leisure activities, community activities, and religious involvement • Leisure activities § Increased time to continue previous interests § Increased travel if able § Time spent doing non-demanding activities Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Life Outside of Work and Home • Community service and civic engagement • Enhance well being of future generations • Efforts increase social well-being • Enhance seniors well-being Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Life Outside of Work and Home • Religious involvement § Participation increases § Practices and beliefs increase § Women more religious than men but men hold dominate positions § Promotes self esteem, life satisfaction, and overall happiness § Promotes better physical health Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett

The Sociocultural Contexts of Development Life Outside of Work and Home • Television, movies, reading, music compose 40% of leisure time • Television use increases throughout life • Impacts globalization • Internet use lowest in later adulthood § Can have positive outcomes if taught to use internet Human Development: A Cultural Approach Jeffrey Jensen Arnett