CH 11 SG Flashcards
Impaired aging
referring to someone who has
more physical challenge and disease than others of the same age
Ageism
PREJUDICE WHEREBY PEOPLE ARE CATEGORIZED AND JUDGED JUST ON THE BASIS OF THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE
• ELDERLY
• TEENS
Categories that distinguish late adults
YOUNG-OLD, OLD-OLD, and OLDEST-OLD
The factors involved in successful aging / the difference in life expectancy of males / females in the U.S.
Women - 81.2 years / Men - 74.8 years the process of growing old & positive mental outlook, strong social connections, good cognitive function, and a sense of purpose in life, essentially achieving a balance between gains and losses as one ages (U.S. LIFE EXPECTANCY—76.1YRS)
Better than average effect / the role attitude plays in aging
Older people are most likely to estimate that own functioning is better than the average older person (MENTAL ATTITUDE PLAYS A ROLE)
• OPTIMISM VS PESSIMISM
The physical aspects of aging
CONTINUING DECLINE OF
• BODY SYSTEMS
• SENSORY SYSTEMS
Physical disorders (ARTHRITIS / HYPERTENSION)
Consequences / prevention of falls
LEADING CAUSE OF FATAL & NONFATAL
INJURIES
-MOST COMMON CAUSE OF TRAUMATIC
BRAIN INJURY
-FRACTURES
Hayflick limit
the biological concept that normal human cells can only divide a limited number of times before reaching senescence
Memory issues in older adults
SOME ASPECTS OF MEMORY DECLINE MORE THAN OTHERS
• NAMES
Alzheimer’s disease
(A TYPE OF DEMENTIA) 1905 FIRST CASE
BRAIN DISEASE
• BUILD UP OF BETA AMYLOID
• PLAQUES & TANGLES
• NERVE CELLS DIE
• ACETYLCHOLINE
Depression, its predictors and treatment in older adults
• POOR HEALTH (STRONGEST PREDICTOR)
• DISABILITY
• EARLIER DEPRESSIVE EPISODES
• LOSS EVENTS (E.G., DEATH)
• LOW SOCIAL SUPPORT
COMBINATION OF MEDICATION & THERAPY (80% GO UNTREATED)
Positivity effect
OLDER ADULTS TEND TO THINK ABOUT POSITIVE MEMORIES & PERCEPTIONS MORE THAN YOUNGER ADULTS
Positives / negatives of retirement
DEPENDS ON
• MINDSET
• FINANCES
IMPORTANT PREDICTORS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN RETIREMENT
• HEALTH
• FINANCES
• CHOICE TO RETIRE OR NOT
Continuity theory
the idea that people tend to maintain a consistent sense of self and personality throughout their lives, adapting to changes by drawing on their past experiences and behaviors
Social relationships in late adulthood
People tend to reprioritize their lives as they age
• Paring down social contacts
• Spending more time with those closest to us
• Maximizing positive experiences
(EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND! / QUALITY OF FRIENDSHIPS ARE CRUCIAL)
The housing options for individuals
INDEPENDENT LIVING (AGING IN PLACE), MULTIGENERATIONAL HOMES, ASSISTED LIVING, LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES, CONTINUING-CARE RETIRMENT
Frail elderly
OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE PHYSICALLY
INFIRM, VERY ILL, OR COGNITIVELY
DISABLED -
Historic racism
historically marginalized groups who have experienced a lifetime of racism then become older, they experience the added injustice of ageism as well
Primary aging
(SENESCENCE) GRADUAL PHYSICAL DECLINE RELATED TO AGING
-ALL BODY PARTS
-RATE IS VARIABLE
SLOW DECLINE
-LATE 30s-EARLY 40s START TO SEE SOME SIGNS
Secondary aging
AGE RELATED CHANGES DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES, POOR HEALTH HABITS, OR DISEASE
Elderspeak
a style of communication used with older adults that is often patronizing and overly simplified, characterized by features like exaggerated intonation, repetitive language, and childish terms
Chronic illnesses
can have a significant psychological impact on people, and can lead to psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression
Free Radical Theory
A lot of cellular damage caused by unstable molecules called “free radicals” over time is a primary contributor to cognitive decline and other age-related psychological changes experienced by older adults, potentially impacting memory, processing speed
Implicit memory
the memory for information that is expressed unconsciously or automatically through improved performance on related tasks, without the need for explicit recall
Integrity theory
(Erikson’s concept) older adults reflect on their lives and either feel a sense of satisfaction of their life journey (integrity) or experience regret and despair about missed opportunities if they cannot reconcile with their past
Normal aging
in which the changes are similar to most of those of the same age
Optimal aging
like the gentleman pictured above who is in very good health for his age and continues to have an active, stimulating life
Stereotypes of the aging / consequences of stereotyping in the aging population
HEALTH CAN SUFFER AS A RESULT OF STEREOTYPES
• SENIORS WHO VIEW AGING AS PRIMARILY POSITIVE LIVE 7.5 YEARS LONGER
Major neurocognitive disorder
a condition that causes a significant decline in mental function and the ability to perform daily tasks
Minor neurocognitive disorder
a condition where a person experiences a slight decline in cognitive abilities, like memory, language, or problem-solving skills
U-Curve of happiness
Happiest in the beginning & end of life (HAPPINESS TENDS TO REMAIN PRETTY HIGH)
Socioemotional selectivity theory
Suggests time left to live affects priorities and social relationships
• Young people focus on the future
• Older adults realize the future is limited, thus refocus priorities
ADLs
(ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIFE) FIVE TASKS OF SELF-CARE IMPORTANT TO INDEPENDENT LIVING
• EATING
• BATHING
• TOILETING
• DRESSING
• MOVING FROM BED TO CHAIR
IADLs
(INSTRUMENTAL ACTIVITIES OF
DAILY LIFE) ACTIONS IMPORTANT IN DAILY LIVING
• REQUIRE SOME COGNITIVE ABILITY
• MAY PRECEDE PROBLEMS WITH ADLs
• BUDGETING
• MEAL PREPARATION
semantic memory
a person’s long-term storage of general knowledge about the world, including facts, concepts, and the meanings of words
prospective memory
the ability to remember to perform an intended action at a specific time in the future
neurocognitive disorder
decreased mental function due to a medical disease other than a psychiatric illness
YOUNG-OLD
• 65-74 YRS.
• HEALTHY & ACTIVE
• INDEPENDENT
OLD-OLD
• 75-84 YRS.
• SOME ADDITIONAL LOSSES IN ABILITIES
• STILL CARE FOR THEMSELVES
OLDEST-OLD
• 85+
• DEPENDENT
Genetic Component of Alzheimer’s
ASSOCIATED WITH AGING
• EARLY ONSET <65 YRS.
• PRIMARY SYMPTOM—MEMORY LOSS
• MENTAL & PHYSICAL DECLINE
MORE COMMON IN FEMALES
• LARGER % OF AGING / NO CURE
RETROGENESIS
“BACK TO BIRTH”
• DIAGNOSIS OF EXCLUSION
• MRI—RULE OUT TUMORS OR STROKES
• BLOOD TEST—FDA APPROVED 2022
• MINI-MENTAL EXAM
