later adulthood Flashcards
physical development - growth
doesn’t occur, get shorter as discs in spine thin + dry out, bones get brittle, falls more likely (= broken bones), weight usually decreases later in stage due to muscle/fat loss, BP + stroke + heart disease risk increases, immune system is less efficient (meaning more infection prone), skin thins + is less elastic (= wrinkles) and light-skinned people get small brown patches - “liver spots”, bruise easier, hair thins + turns white, some teeth loss despite previous status in adulthood, loss of hearing (esp. high-pitched sounds), eyesight changes (most become long-sighted), urge to urinate more, taste + smell senses reduce
physical development - motor
loss rather than development; reduced strength+stamina+flexibility (weaker + less agile) + mobility (walking difficulties), slower reaction times
intellectual development
little/no intellectual development for most; loss of thinking (less flexible so harder to adapt to new situations/ideas), problem solving, lang. skills + (short/long-term) memory, slow/lose thought processes, forget words/names, action slips (e.g. pouring tea into milk jug), remember things only from long ago (only if severe/Alzheimer’s), can take up new interests early years of stage (games that involve problem solving like crosswords can reduce/delay intellectual decline), continuing working can help them use the wisdom acquired in adulthood
emotional development
retirement can equal to less valued feelings as job can play important part of self-concept/self-esteem, ability decline can = self-confidence esp. those who struggle taking care of themselves, continued long-term partnerships + enjoyment of sexual relationship, partner death is likely which is upsetting, can lead to isolation + lonliness
social development
circle usually gets smaller (e.g. retirement = less contact w/ work peers), contacts might reduce due to close person’s death, reduced mobility + increased weakness = loss of social skills (social isolation) - services like day centres can help reduce social isolation + make new friendships
