Adaption with ageing

Question 1

Effect of ageing on cognitive abilities

Answer 1

• mass of brain reduces with ageing
• memory is most susceptible to declining with age
• attention also declines with age

Question 2

Effect of ageing on body physiology

Answer 2

-bone loss results in a reduction of mechanical strength, collagen fibres deteriorate and reduce elasticity of the skin and efficacy of organs deteriorates with age

Question 3

Ageing and socioeconomic independence

Answer 3

• -older adults are economically vulnerable and may outlive their resources
• decline in socio-economic status might result in decline in physical and mental health

Question 4

Social disengagement theory

Answer 4

mutual withdrawal of society and the individual occurs; increased individuality and shrinking life space are inevitable moves towards death

Question 5

Social (non) reengagement theory

Answer 5

-ageist society reduces the social interaction that older adults can have; withdrawal not mutual but forced

Question 6

Social exchange theory

Answer 6

-age robs people of the ability to engage in reciprocal roles; retirement is a special social contract wherein productivity is exchanged for increased leisure and decreased responsibilities

Question 7

Socio-emotional selectivity theory

Answer 7

-wise investment of social energy in old age is a limit to social interaction to those who are most familiar

Question 8

Phases of retirement

Answer 8

1. pre-retirement phase: increasing anxiety with the retirement of friends and colleagues
2. honeymoon phase: immediate post retirement phase where increased freedom is enjoyed
3. disenchantment: slowing down occurs, feels let down, worse if inadequately prepared for retirement
4. Reorientation- explores new avenues, more realistic
5. Stability- makes choices, mastery attained in chosen leisure
6. termination- frailty, death