Chapter 16: Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Question 1

young-old

Answer 1

65-74

Question 2

middle-old

Answer 2

75-84

Question 3

oldest-old

Answer 3

85 and older

Question 4

level of functioning

Answer 4

a measure that evaluates how well adults can manage in their daily life

Question 5

activities of daily living (ADLs)

Answer 5

basic living skills that include independently using the bathroom, getting dressed, bathing and feeding oneself, and moving short distances

Question 6

instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

Answer 6

a measure of functioning that includes tasks requiring planning and social skills, such as arranging for transportation, shopping, cooking, organizing finances, keeping your home clean, communicating by phone, and managing medical care and medications

Question 7

life expectancy

Answer 7

a measurement of how long you can expect to live

Question 8

vestibular system

Answer 8

located inside the inner ear, this network transmits information to the brain about where you are in space

Question 9

sarcopenia

Answer 9

significant lack of muscle mass that limits adults’ ability to perform everyday activities

Question 10

frailty

Answer 10

occurs when an adult experiences muscle weakness, exhaustion, an inability to be active

Question 11

osteoporosis

Answer 11

when bones become so porous and fragile that they are vulnerable to breaks

Question 12

arthritis

Answer 12

pain in the joints

Question 13

glia

Answer 13

support cells of the brain

Question 14

tau protein

Answer 14

an essential building block of neurons that helps move nutrients and energy from one part of the neuron to another. Misshapen tau protein can contribute to cognitive decline

Question 15

neurofibrillary tangles

Answer 15

misshapen tau proteins that bunch together, and can damage the brain and contribute to neurocognitive disorders

Question 16

amyloid beta

Answer 16

a protein by-product implicated in brain aging that builds up as a result of inflammation and glial dysfunction

Question 17

wisdom

Answer 17

the ability to creatively reason about complex situations on the basis of deep insights about people

Question 18

cognitive reserve

Answer 18

the ability to maintain your thinking abilities despite getting older

Question 19

mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Answer 19

when an adult has more cognitive challenges than would be expected for a person of their age but is still able to function in their everyday life

Question 20

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Answer 20

a degenerative neurocognitive disorder caused by the buildup of tau and amyloid proteins that is linked to difficulties with thinking and the ability to function

Question 21

telling the difference between a neurocognitive disorder and typical aging

Answer 21

• forgetting that makes it difficult to function
• difficulty following directions
• difficulty with judgements
• increased isolation

Question 22

vascular cognitive disorder

Answer 22

occurs when injuries to the cardiovascular system disrupt the brain and cognitive functioning