Late Adulthood Flashcards
ageism
“typical” old person, often viewed as cranky an passive , without energy, dependent on others
infantilization
more living longer and healthier debunk the stereotype
Policy issues
health care costs and who will take care of them
life span
max number of years someone can live
life expectancy
number of years a person is expected to live, average is 78.7
Gender differences in age
women outlive males by average of 5 years due to health attitudes, habits, occupations, biological factor
Centenarians
increasing number, 1980- 15,000, 2050-800,000, genes, family history, health, exercise, education
Primary aging
going to happen to everybody like getting old, getting wrinkles, body slowing down, gradual
secondary aging
pathological, environment, diseases, behavior
physical development
inevitable aging like wrinkles, slowing down, loss of height and weight, exercise is important
Vision
decline in visual acuity, color vision, depth perception
- Cataracts- thickening of lens
- glaucoma- optic nerve damage caused by pressure from fluid buildup
- Mucular Degeneration- center field of view becomes blurred
hearing
deterioration of cochlea
smell and taste
most lose some ability to taste and/or smell
touch and pain
decreased sensitivity of pain, may mask injury and illness
illness and death
nearly 60% of US adults 65-74 die of cardiovascular disease and cancer
Arthritis
common, deterioration and inflammation of the joints, incurable, affect whole body
osteoporosis
leading cause of broken bones for women, extensive loss of bone tissue, exercise and diet, strength building helps to strengthen bones
brain
brain loses volume and weight, by 90 20% of total brain mass is lost, USE IT OR LOSE IT, lack of stimulation, loss of growth
Cognitive skills
loss of plasticity especially 85 or older, can be improved with training
Dementia
loss or deterioration in mental functioning, memory
Alzheimers
progressive disorder, destroying brain cells, form of dementia, not part of normal aging
-causes: age is a factor, genetics: ApoE, twin studies, smoking,
Respite care
services that provide temporary relief to caregivers
Aging workforce
percentage of older adults working has increased, many looking for a gradual exit from workforce, average age requirement women: 62, Men: 64
Older workers
compared to younger workers they have lower rates of absenteenism, fewer accidents, increased job satisfaction, most people over 65 are working, 2nd or 3rd careers, many work as unpaid volunteers
misconceptions that prevent being hired
with expertise many believe comes requirement for higher salary but many old people just want to work and they will retire soon, out of date skills
transition from work to retirement
some don’t retire, some move in and out of work force, some move to disability status, some retire and start volunteering
Erikson’s 8th stage
Integrity vs despair, “ I had a fulfilling life, I lived well”
Life review
essential piece, looking back on life
1- reminiscing for pleasure
2- reminiscing for self understanding
3- Reminiscing to solve present problems and cope with losses
wisdom
often results when older adults reflect on both their successes and their failures
-when despair leads to depression, reminiscence therapy often helps
Four types of reminiscing
1- integrative- help people resolve old conflicts and reconcile disappointments
2- instrumental- facilitate coping with current problems by using coping strategies
3- Escapist- glorify past memories
4- Obsessive- emphasize the negative and results in guilt. bitterness and despair
Activity theory
the more active and involved older adult are, the more likely they are to be satisfied with their lives
Socioemotional selective theory
older adults become more selective with their social networks
- spend more time with familiar individuals
- Laura Cartensen
Social contact through lifespan are guided by both:
emotional regulation and acquisition of knowledge
-The regulation of emotion becomes increasingly salient in adulthood
Stratification theories
social forces and cultural influence limit choices
Selective optimization with compensation theory
aging linked with three factors
- Selection- reduced capacity and loss of function which require a deduction in performance
- Optimization- maintain performance in some areas
- Compensation- when activities require higher levels of performance than older adults can provide
Degrees of personal life investment
25-34- work, friends, family, independence
35-54- Family, work, friends, cognitive fitness
55-65- family, health, friends, cognitive fitness
70-84- Family, health, cognitive fitness, friends
85-105- health, family, thinking about life, cognitive fitness
big five personality factors
impulse control, reliability, conventionality, conscientiousness, extraversion, openess
lifestyle changes for older adults
more remarriages, 1/3 marry, divorce and remarry
Married older adults
2012- 58% of 65+ were married, 27% were widowed
-Marital satisfaction is greater in older adults
divorced and remarried older adults
divorce is far less common among older adults, social, financial, and physical consequences of divorce
-remarriage is increasing
Cohabiting older adults
increasing, baby boomers
Attachment and aging adults
fewer attachment relationships, with increasing age, attachment anxiety decreases
-Insecure attachment linked to more caregiver burden
Friendships
maintain friends they already have, activity with friends increases life satisfaction, friends may be more important than family in predicting mental health
Social support and integration
Age in place, social convoy model,
Older adult children
familism- family> self, children are more important
Age, gender and ethnicity
minorities are over-represented among the poor, double or triple jeopardy
Gender
women experience burden of both ageism and sexism, poverty rate double for women than men
Successful aging
many abilities can be maintained and/or improved in older adults due to: proper diet, active lifestyle, mental stimulation and flexibility, positive coping skills, good social skills, good social relationship and support
