Chapter 15 Flashcards
lifespan
The highest boundary or limit of a particular species.
gerontology
An area of social science that studies the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional issues in later adulthood.
young-old
Adults in their later years, traditionally between the ages of 60 and 75, who are still healthy, active, and independent.
old-old Adults
in their later years, traditionally between the ages of 75 and 85, who are beginning to deal with declining health.
oldest-old
Adults in their later years, traditionally over the age of 85, who are at risk for illness and injury and are often dependent on others for assistance with daily living activities.
program theory of aging
A theory that aging occurs because of some predetermined internal or external chemical process built into cells that cause deterioration over time.
error theory of aging
A theory that aging occurs because of environmental forces such as disease that affect the function of cells, causing deterioration.
Hayflick’s limit
The number of times a cell can divide during the lifespan based on a predetermined number of cell divisions.
wear and tear theory
A theory that suggests the human body ages as a result of use, overuse, and environmental stressors.
rheumatoid arthritis
A type of arthritis classified as an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system causes an inflammation of tissue around joints.
osteoarthritis
A type of arthritis in which the skeletal joints and tissue wear down over time.
osteoporosis
A disruption in bone remodelling causing bones to become brittle and weak.
activities of daily living (ADLs)
The necessary behavioural function of individuals in order to meet basic survival needs, including eating, dressing, and elimination, among others.
selective attention
The ability to attend to a particular item in the environment while inhibiting other distracting stimuli.
top-down processing
Forming perceptions beginning with a more general idea and then working toward more detailed information.
bottom-up processing
Forming perceptions from the smaller, finer details and then building upward into a solid, general idea.
tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon
A feeling you know a piece of information, but you are unable to recall it.
wisdom
The accumulation of knowledge and experience, along with personal insight and common sense.
cataract
Shading and discoloration of the lens of the eye.
glaucoma
Increased pressure within the eye that, if left untreated, can lead to serious vision problems.
Age-related macular degeneration
The leading cause of vision loss for older adults. It is caused by a deterioration of the central region of the retina.
vascular dementia
A common dementia caused by restricted supply of blood to the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
A progressive form of dementia in which plaques and tangles form in the brain, resulting in increasing memory loss and eventually death.
