Chapter 14: Elderhood (75 until death) Flashcards
gender gap
Systematic differences between men and women in some measurable variable such as income, length of life, or elected representation in government.
old-old
Among the very old, those who have suffered major physical or mental decrements.
young-old
Among the very old, those who remain healthy, vigorous, and competent.
life structures
One’s living arrangement and social relationships that support one’s physical and mental health.
physical changes of aging
Multidimensional and variable changes that affect all individuals as they age, caused by an interaction of genetic, environmental, social, and lifestyle factors.
behavioral slowing
Age-related delay in the speed of response to stimuli.
processing load
In problem solving, the number of domains of information called into play and the amount of work necessary to select response strategies.
visual adaptation
The ability to adapt to changes in the level of illumination.
functional independence
Requiring little or no help with the activities of daily living.
instrumental activities of daily life (IADLs)
Basic tasks that are essential to maintaining one’s daily life without dependence on informal or formal community support services.
activities of daily living (ADLs)
Basic types of self-care that are required to function independently.
organic brain syndromes
Disorders involving memory loss, confusion, loss of ability to manage daily functions, and loss of ability to focus attention.
vascular dementia
A form of dementia that occurs when the blood vessels to the brain are blocked or narrow; the brain does not get the blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients needed for adequate functioning.
usual aging
A state of typical aging in which individuals may be functioning well but are at high risk for disease, disability, and reduced capacity for functional independence.
successful agers
Elderly individuals who are characterized by three interdependent features:
- they have a low risk of disease and disease-related disabilities;
- high mental and physical function; and 3. active engagement with life.
active engagement
Continuing to be sociable and involved in doing things as you get older.
living arrangments
The type of household or facility in which someone lives and the people an individual choose to live with.
housing options
Alternative living arrangements including single-family homes, apartments, continuing care facilities, and nursing homes.
gentrification
A pattern of real estate change in which a higher income group buys property and develops residential and commercial projects in an area that has previously been serving a lower income group.
skill care facilities
A facility that provides housing, food, nursing care, and rehabilitation for people who have severe functional limitations as a result of illness, surgery, aging, or advanced dementia.
nursing homes
A facility that provides housing, food, nursing care, and rehabilitation for people who have severe functional limitations as a result of illness, surgery, aging, or advanced dementia.
continuing care retirement community
A residential setting offering housing and medical, preventive health, and social services to residents who are well at the time they enter the community.
community-based long-term health care
A component of the Medicare program which provides medical and social services to those who are chronically ill and eligible for institutionalization but who, nevertheless, live in the community.
gender-role convergence
A transformation in which men and women become more androgynous and more similar in gender orientation during later life.
affiliative values
The values placed on helping or pleasing others, reflected in the amount of time spent in and the degree of satisfaction achieved from such actions.
instrumental values
The values placed on doing things that are challenging, reflected in the amount of time spent on and the degree of satisfaction achieved in such actions.
dependency
an assessment of difficulties in the activities of daily living usually required to function independently. Beyond very basic types of self-care, an expanded notion of dependency refers to difficulties in managing instrumental activities of daily living.
immortality
The positive pole of the psychosocial crisis of very old age, in which the person transcends death through a sense of symbolic continuity.
experiential transcendence
A way of experiencing immortality through achieving a sense of continuous presence.
cosmic transcendence
Feelings of cosmic communion with the spirit of the universe and a redefinition of time, space, life, and death.
socioemotional support
Expressions of affection, care, respect, and esteem.
instrumental support
Direct assistance, including help with chores, medical care, or transportation.
norm of reciprocity
The cultural norm that you are obligated to return in full value what you receive.
confidence
A conscious trust in oneself and in the meaningfulness of life.
diffidence
The inability to act due to overwhelming self-doubt.
frailty
Physical weakness or disease, often stemming from old age, that prevents individuals from performing activities of daily living.
optimal functioning
What a person is capable of doing when motivated and well prepared.
role reversal
Assuming the behaviors of a person in a reciprocal role, as when a child acts toward his or her parent as a parent.
collective efficacy
A strong sense of social cohesion with a high level of informal social control in a community.
