Module 21: Late Adulthood Flashcards
What are the stages of late adulthood?
- Young Old (60-75)
- Old-Old (75-85)
- Oldest Old (85 and older)
- Octogenarian (80s)
- Centenarian (Over 100 yrs old)
How can an optimistic view affect older adults?
The optimistic view of oldies seems to help protect older adults against the long-term effects of serious health threats like stroke
Frail Elderly
older adults who cannot care for themselves
What are the most common chronic health conditions during late adulthood?
Most common chronic health conditions: Hypertension, Arthritis
What kind of twins are more similar in length of life?
Identical twins are more similar in length of life than fraternal twins
Who are the adults who are most likely to live longer?
Adults whose parents and grandparents were long lived are also likely to live longer
What are the different theories of biological aging?
- Hayflick Limit
- Programmed Senescence Theory
- Endocrine Theory
- Immunological Theory
- Evolutionary Theory
- Variable-Rate Theories
- Wear-and-Tear Theory
- Free-Radical Theory
- Autoimmune Theory
- Cross-Linking Theory
Hayflick Limit
+ cells simply lose their capacity to replicate themselves
+ Telomeres become shorter as the cell divides
+ cells can divide for no more than 50 times
Programmed Senescence Theory
+ aging also may be influenced by specific genes “switching off” after age-related losses occur (Epigenesis)
+ age-related physical declines result from species-specific genes for aging
+ prevents older, presumably less fit from becoming parents at an age when they are unlikely to be able to raise offspring to maturity
Endocrine Theory
biological clocks act through hormones to control the pace of aging
Immunological Theory
programmed decline in immune system functions leads to increased vulnerability to infectious disease and thus to aging and death
Evolutionary Theory
Aging is an evolved trait thus genes that promote reproduction are selected at higher rates than genes that extend lives
Variable-Rate Theories
aging is the results of random processes that vary from person to person (Error theories)
Wear-and-Tear Theory
cells and tissues have vital parts that wear out
Free-Radical Theory
Accumulated damage from oxygen radicals causes cells and eventually organs to stop functioning
Rate-of-Living Theory
the greater an organism’s rate of metabolism, the shorter its life span
Autoimmune Theory
immune system becomes confused and attacks its own body cells
Cross-Linking Theory
+ occurs more often in cell proteins of older adults
+ undesirable chemical bonds form between proteins and fats which cannot assume the correct shape for proper function, leading to effects such as wrinkling of the skin and arterial rigidity
What is the crowning achievement in late adulthood for Erik Erikson?
For Erik Erikson, the crowning achievement of late adulthood is Ego Integrity or integrity of the self–need to evaluate and accept their lives so as to accept death
What is the crisis in old age (65-older)?
Ego Integrity vs. Despair
What is the virtue that develops when someone is successful in ego integrity vs. despair?
Wisdom
Wisdom
+ informed and detached concern with life itself in the face of death itself
+ Accepting one has lived, without major regrets
What are the maladaptive tendencies that may be experienced in late adulthood?
- Presumption
- Disdain
Presumption
presumes ego integrity without actually facing the difficulties of old age