Late Adulthood Flashcards
Subgroups of the population
Young-old: 60-75
Old-old: 75-85
Oldest-old 85 and up (fastest growing group)
What is senescence?
the gradual deterioration of body systems that happens as an organism ages after reaching maturity
What is the hayflick limit?
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
What is Telomeres?
String of repetitive DNA at the tip of each chromosome in the body that appears to serve as a kind of timekeeping mechanism
Cellular damage is what?
The organism’s inability to repair breaks in DNA strands results in a loss of cellular function, leading to aging
Cross-linking is what?
occurs when undesirable chemical bonds form between proteins or fats
What are free radicals?
: molecules or atoms that possess an unpaired electron, are a normal by-product of body metabolism
Undifferentiated cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized adult cells
Stem Cells
The Role of Epigenetics:
The genotype determines the maximum lifespan of different species
What does BADLs stand for?
Basic Activities of Daily Living :self-help tasks such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet
What does IADLs stand for?
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living : more complex daily living tasks such as doing housework, cooking, and managing money
Functional status:
a measure of an individual’s ability to perform certain roles and tasks, particularly self-help tasks and other chores of daily living
What vision changes occur in late adulthood?
-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
What hearing changes occur in late adulthood?
-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
Does ability to taste basic 5 flavour decline in adulthood?
No
When do more frequent awakenenings at night begin?
after 65
What sleep problems occur in late adulthood?
-awake more frequently
-REM sleep decrease
-Wake early in morning go to bed early
-day time naps
what is the leading cause of placement into long-term care of the elderly in Canada, especially women
Dementia
What are Cohens 4 stages of of mid-to-late-life creativity?
-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
What is the last of Erikson’s psychosocial stages, in which older adults must achieve a sense of satisfaction with their lives
Ego Integrity versus Despair
Ego integrity:
the feeling that one’s life has been worthwhile; the process also involves coming to terms with death and accepting its imminence
Reminiscence:
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
Life review:
an evaluative process in which elders make judgments about past behaviour
Activity theory:
the idea that it is normal and healthy for older adults to try to remain as active as possible for as long as possible
Disengagement theory:
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
What are the three aspects of Disengagement theory?
-Shrinkage of life space
-Increased individuality
-Acceptance of these changes
Continuity theory:
the idea that older adults adapt life-long interests and activities to the limitations imposed on them by physical aging
T or F The satisfaction seniors experience with family contacts is more important than the frequency of visitation
T
Amenity move:
post-retirement move away from kin to a location that has some desirable feature, such as year-round warm weather
Compensatory (kinship) migration:
a move to a location near family or friends that happens when an elder requires frequent help because of a disability or disease
Institutional migration:
a move to an institution such as a nursing home that is necessitated by a disability
