Late Adulthood

Question 1

Subgroups of the population

Answer 1

Young-old: 60-75
Old-old: 75-85
Oldest-old 85 and up (fastest growing group)

Question 2

What is senescence?

Answer 2

the gradual deterioration of body systems that happens as an organism ages after reaching maturity

Question 3

What is the hayflick limit?

Answer 3

The theoretical proposal that each species is subject to a genetically programmed time limit after which cells no longer have any capacity to replicate themselves accurately

Question 4

What is Telomeres?

Answer 4

String of repetitive DNA at the tip of each chromosome in the body that appears to serve as a kind of timekeeping mechanism

Question 5

Cellular damage is what?

Answer 5

The organism’s inability to repair breaks in DNA strands results in a loss of cellular function, leading to aging

Question 6

Cross-linking is what?

Answer 6

occurs when undesirable chemical bonds form between proteins or fats

Question 7

What are free radicals?

Answer 7

: molecules or atoms that possess an unpaired electron, are a normal by-product of body metabolism

Question 8

Undifferentiated cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized adult cells

Answer 8

Stem Cells

Question 9

The Role of Epigenetics:

Answer 9

The genotype determines the maximum lifespan of different species

Question 10

What does BADLs stand for?

Answer 10

Basic Activities of Daily Living :self-help tasks such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet

Question 11

What does IADLs stand for?

Answer 11

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living : more complex daily living tasks such as doing housework, cooking, and managing money

Question 12

Functional status:

Answer 12

a measure of an individual’s ability to perform certain roles and tasks, particularly self-help tasks and other chores of daily living

Question 13

What vision changes occur in late adulthood?

Answer 13

-Presbyopia (farfarsightedness) increases
-enlarged “blind spot” on the retina reduces field of vision
-pupil does not widen or narrow as much or as quickly, more difficulty seeing at night and responding to rapid changes in brightness
-Diseases of the eye

Question 14

What hearing changes occur in late adulthood?

Answer 14

-Presbycusis (hearing loss) isn’t usually functionally limiting until late adulthood
-Men lose more hearing than women do
-ability to hear high-frequency sounds (part of human speech) is diminished
-Word discrimination becomes problematic

Question 15

Does ability to taste basic 5 flavour decline in adulthood?

Answer 15

No

Question 16

When do more frequent awakenenings at night begin?

Answer 16

after 65

Question 17

What sleep problems occur in late adulthood?

Answer 17

-awake more frequently
-REM sleep decrease
-Wake early in morning go to bed early
-day time naps

Question 18

what is the leading cause of placement into long-term care of the elderly in Canada, especially women

Answer 18

Dementia

Question 19

What are Cohens 4 stages of of mid-to-late-life creativity?

Answer 19

-Re-evaluation phase (around age 50): reflect on past accomplishments

-Liberation phase (in their 60s): freedom to create

-Summing-up phase (in their 70s): creating a narrative

-Encore phase (in their 80s): finish unfinished business

Question 20

What is the last of Erikson’s psychosocial stages, in which older adults must achieve a sense of satisfaction with their lives

Answer 20

Ego Integrity versus Despair

Question 21

Ego integrity:

Answer 21

the feeling that one’s life has been worthwhile; the process also involves coming to terms with death and accepting its imminence

Question 22

Reminiscence:

Answer 22

reflecting on past experience; is a positive emotional experience for older adults that is often seen as a way of communicating their experiences to younger individuals

Question 23

Life review:

Answer 23

an evaluative process in which elders make judgments about past behaviour

Question 24

Activity theory:

Answer 24

the idea that it is normal and healthy for older adults to try to remain as active as possible for as long as possible

Question 25

Disengagement theory:

Answer 25

the theory that it is normal and healthy for older adults to scale down their social lives and to separate themselves from others to a certain degree

Question 26

What are the three aspects of Disengagement theory?

Answer 26

-Shrinkage of life space
-Increased individuality
-Acceptance of these changes

Question 27

Continuity theory:

Answer 27

the idea that older adults adapt life-long interests and activities to the limitations imposed on them by physical aging

Question 28

T or F The satisfaction seniors experience with family contacts is more important than the frequency of visitation

Answer 28

T

Question 29

Amenity move:

Answer 29

post-retirement move away from kin to a location that has some desirable feature, such as year-round warm weather

Question 30

Compensatory (kinship) migration:

Answer 30

a move to a location near family or friends that happens when an elder requires frequent help because of a disability or disease

Question 31

Institutional migration:

Answer 31

a move to an institution such as a nursing home that is necessitated by a disability