Late Adulthood Flashcards
Life expectancy crossover
women’s advantage shrinks
african-americans who live past 80 live longer than others
fastest growing segment if 85+ population,
heredity plays a role, but environment becomes more determinant with age
Hearing changes in Late Adulthood (LA)
decline in detecting sounds, especially soft sounds, and high pitched sounds
compensation thru: intermodal perception, quiet environments, hearing devices
can lead to social isolation and reduced safety and enjoyment
Smelling changes in LA
decrease in smell perception (neurons and receptors)
distorted perception causing “food to no longer smell/taste right”
self-protective odor sense diminishes (more likely to eat expired foods)
CV changes in LA
heartbeat less forceful, reduced maximum heart rate and blood flow (increased blood pressure to compensate)
less oxygen delivered
Musculoskeletal changes in LA
height continues to decline especially for women
reduced muscle and bone strength and mass
decreased joint flexibility
Respiratory changes in LA
vital lung capacity reduced by half
Sleep changes in LA
sleep cycle changes so get up earlier and go to bed earlier, sleep needs remain constant
more sleeping difficulties
Alzheimers
common findings
causes
diagnosis
vs vascular dementia
Common findings: amyloid plaques, withering brain material, synapse deterioration
personality changes, worsening memory, motor, speech and sleep disturbances
Causes: genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle, head injuries
Diagnosis; doctor referrals needed (sometimes reversible dementia is misdiagnosed, can use CT scan)
Vs. vascular dementia: series of strokes cause step-by-step deterioration of mental ability, most often caused by atherosclerosis
Depression: actual vs perceived health
perceived negative health can worsen/lead to depression, give tasks to feel useful
esp bad when people who find their purpose by caring for other no longer can
Psychosocial development in LA
mix of loss and gains
gains in family time, lighter response abilities, reflect and enjoy what they have created
loss in some physical abilities, and concerns around declining health, loneliness, intimate partner death
Continuity vs. socio-emotional theories
continuity says you keep doing the same things but in different ways (ex playing a sport to coaching a sport)– continuity btwn past and perceived future, familiar and long standing relationships and activities
socio-emotional theories: relationships become more selective and high quality – not a ton of time left so want to focus on the ones with the most emotional benefits
Marriage and Divorce in LA
Many different ways to be satisfied in a marriage, promotes better health outcomes
divorces: fewer late in life but harder to recover
a bad marriage takes a greater toll on women but men have a more difficult adjustment after divorce
Friendships in LA
prefer familiar, established relationships
more intergenerational friendships as agemates die
continue to choose similar friends and women having closer friendships
Parent-child relationships in LA
quality of relationships important, better when kids living close by
mixed feelings about kids with problematic lives
balance changes as kids start helping their parents more – both still assist each other
most aid from children is emotional support
