Middle and late adulthood for final Flashcards
Peripheral slowing hypothesis
The peripheral slowing hypothesis suggests that overall processing speed declines in the peripheral nervous system, affecting the brain’s ability to communicate with muscles and organs.
General slowing hypothesis
The generalized slowing hypothesis theory suggests that processing in all parts of the nervous system, including the brain, are less efficient with age. This may be why older people have more accidents.
Reasons to be sexually active as a late adult:
Positive sexual health often acts as a de-stressor promoting increased relaxation. Researchers also report health benefits such as decreased pain sensitivity, improved cardiovascular health, lower levels of depression, increased self-esteem, and better relationship satisfaction.
Buettner’s 9 Blue zone reasons
Moderate, regular physical activity.
Life purpose.
Stress reduction.
Moderate caloric intake.
Plant-based diet.
Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
Engagement in spirituality or religion.
Engagement in family life.
Engagement in social life.
categories of late adulthood:
Young old: 65-74
Old old: 75-84
Oldest old: 85+
Centenarians: 100+
Senescence trivia - Funsies
The word senescence, can be traced back to Latin senex, meaning “old.” Lots of other English words come from senex—senile, senior, senate, etc. The word senate to describe a legislative assembly dates back to ancient Rome, where the Senatus was originally a council of elders composed of the heads of patrician families. There’s also the much rarer senectitude, which, like senescence, refers to the state of being old (specifically, to the final stage of the normal life span).
life expectancy in U.S:
life expectancy in the U.S. now stands at 78.7 years. Women continue to outlive men, with life expectancy being 76.3 years for males, and 81.1 years for females. Life expectancy varies according to race and ethnicity. It is highest for Hispanics, for both males and females, and lower for blacks than for whites or Hispanics.
Quality of Life
Quality of life is the general well-being of individuals and societies, outlining negative and positive features of life. Quality of life considers life satisfaction, including everything from physical health, family, education, employment, wealth, safety, security, freedom, religious beliefs, and the environment.
Normal aging:
Heart muscles thicken with age
Arteries become less flexible
Lung capacity diminishes
Brain cells lose some functioning but new neurons can also be produced
Kidneys become less efficient in removing waste from the blood
The bladder loses its ability to store urine
Body fat stabilizes and then declines
Muscle mass is lost without exercise
Bone mineral is lost. Weight bearing exercise slows this down.
Primary aging
skin gets weaker and drier and thinner
hearing loss
vision loss
muscle loss
bone loss
Secondary aging: Diseases
Heart disease
cancer
hypertension + stroke
arthritis
diabetes
osteoporosis
parkinsons
Menieres disease cause and symptoms
Sensorineural hearing loss caused by fluid buildup in the ear that leads to vertigo and hearing loss as well as pressure in ear
Difference between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss?
S: nerve issue caused by inner ear damage, prevents nerve impulse from reaching brain.
C: Mechanical issue with eardrum or auditory ossicles
Presbycusis
Age related hearing loss
Glaucoma
Fluid buildup in the eye results in pressure and damage to the optic nerve which causes blindness
