Late Adulthood Flashcards
What ages are considered late adulthood?
65+
A century ago, less than __ percent of the population was over 65.
one percent
By 1989, more than ___ percent of the population was 65+; By 2000, ___ percent. Projection shows by 2030 it will be ___ percent.
1989 - 12 percent; 2000 - 14 percent; 2030 - 20 percent
The most rapidly growing segment of the US population is the group of people over ___ years of age.
85
The number of people age 85+ will increase nearly ____% between 2000-2050.
500%; This is already putting a strain on social service entitlement programs.
What accounts for the change in this population?
Baby boomers (born between 1946-64) are becoming sr citizens; increased lifespan through medical advances/better health care; Life expectancy has become much longer
What is the life expectancy today?
Average life expectancy is77 or 78 (76.2 for American males and 81 for American females); usually if a person makes it past 65 without health concerns, their likelihood to make it 80s doubles.
What are the subdivisions of late adulthood?
55 (65) - 75 (80) = Young old: highly active physically, mentally, socially but may be retired
75- 85 (80+) = Old-old
85+ = Oldest-old
What are some serious issues dealt with during 80-85 years of age?
Mass losses in cognitive potential and ability to learn; high prevalence of dementia (50% in people over age of 90); Problems with quality of life and dignity in death
Pew Research Center asked a sample of US adults if they would like to live until 120?
56% reported they would not.
Rewatch Nir Barzilai’s Tedx talk about aging.
Biologist at Albert Einstein’s college.
Which of Erikson’s stage are late adults in?
Integrity v Despair; Integrity: positive evaluation of one’s life; an acceptance of its final outcome as natural & inevitable
Despair: Regret over the past; fear of death; frustration - too late to make any significant changes; Regret is usually tied to a loss that’s not yet expressed (think about Carl in the movie Up - he was more upset about not keeping his promise to Ellie instead of her death)
Describe R.C. Peck’s expansion on this stage of life.
Ego Differentiation v. work-role preoccupation: shift in preoccupation from career to self at retirement
Body transcendence v. Body preoccupation: danger of becoming preoccupied with declining physical and mental powers; they only see what is wrong with themselves, not the positives.
Ego transcendence v. ego preoccupation: an acceptance of death
How can retirement be a positive experience?
1- it is voluntary instead of forced (forced might result in anxiety, depression)
2- work isn’t the only or most important thing for the individual.
3- health is adequate to permit the employment of increased leisure
4- Retirement has been prepared for and planned (esp. financially)
Retirement is a phase of life, not the end.
