Chapter 17/18 - Late Adulthood Flashcards
Define gerontology
-the scientific study of aging
What are the ages of late adulthood?
-60-65:
-young old (60-75)
-old old (75-85)
-oldest old (85 and up)
Women are expected to live only _ years longer than men now.
-4 years
Define senescence
-the gradual physical deterioration associated with aging
What is the hayflick limit?
-cells do not have unlimited capacity to replicate themselves resulting in a genetically programmed time limit for each species
Most adult cells lack _______ to restore telomeres so they _______ with cell division.
-telomerase; shorten
Compare the chronological clock to the epigenetic clock.
-a person’s age in years
-a measure of biological aging based on DNA methylation levels
What is the largest factor in determining the trajectory of an adult’s physical or mental status beyond age 65?
-health
How does an optimistic outlook benefit seniors?
- It helps them recover better from illnesses like stroke
What amount of older adults over 65 in Canada report their health as good or excellent?
-a substantial amount
What is functional status?
-e measure of an individuals ability to perform certain roles and tasks, particularly self-help tasks and other chores of daily living
What two concepts fall under function status?
-basic activities of daily living
-instrumental activities of daily living
What are basic activities of daily living?
-s4elf-help tasks such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet
What are instrumental activities of daily living?
-more complex daily living tasks such as doing household chores, cooking, managing money
Having these 5 risk factors was associated with a 20-year life expectancy difference compared to those who had none.
-smoking, low physical activity, poor diet, alcohol, stress
A decline in physical and cognitive function can be modified through _______.
-exercise
A key change in the brain that occurs during late adulthood is a decline in the _____ of (useful) ________.
-density; dendrites
A loss of dendrites occurs less in those with ________ and result in a slower ________ ____.
-more education; reaction time
In late adulthood, presbyopia (farsightedness) __________?
-increases
Older adults tend to experience presbycusis which is what?
-loss of hearing
There is a ______ of the proximodistal pattern of growth.
-reversal
Does taste decline as well as smell in late adulthood?
-taste no but smell yes
Define dementia.
-a neurological disorder involving problems with memory and thinking that affect an individual’s emotional, social and physical functioning
_% of those over 65 show significant symptoms of dementia and _% of those over 85 show moderate to severe symptoms.
-7%; 25%
