Older Adults Physical & Cognitive Development Flashcards
Ageism
Ageism: making generalities and showing prejudice toward one entire group based on age.
Gerontophobia
Gerontophobia: fear of growing old and of old people
Geropsychology
Geropsychology: the study of the behavior and needs of the elderly.
Older Adults: Future Growth
Older Adults: Future Growth
●Future Growth: United States
–By 2000, there were 4.2 million people age 85 or older.
–The projection is that by 2050, there will be 21 million people age 85 and older.
Future Growth of Oldest Adults: United States
Future Growth of Oldest Adults: United States
–In 1990: 35,808 people were 100 years old
–In 1998: 66,000 people were 100 years old
–Projected for 2020: 214,000 people will be 100 years old
Older Adults: Future Growth. Effects
Effects
●Increase in the minority population will affect economics and poverty rates.
●Increased health care costs
●Increased dependency ratio
●Increased demand for resources
●Emergence of older people as a political force and social movement
Which gender lives longer
Women Live Longer Than Men
A. The gap between the life expectancy rates of men and women has been increasing since 1920.
B. For every 100 women over age 65, there are 71 men in the same age group.
C. Women seem to be more durable organisms because of an inherent sex-linked resistance to some types of life-threatening disease.
D. Lifestyle differences: A major factor is the
higher incidence of smoking among men.
Health
Health
A. Higher incidence of chronic health
problems among the elderly
B. Nutrition and Health Risks
- Drug dosages and absorption effects - Health problems result from overmedication, mixing medications, and resisting medications.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis: Porous Bones, Increased Fracture Risk
●Elderly women:
–may need calcium + Vitamin D supplements
–lose bone tissue rapidly after menopause
–hip fractures cost $15 billion annually
–may become bedridden/lose functional independence
–may fall due to dizziness: low blood pressure, medications
Biological Aging
Biological Aging
- Collagen fibers become thicker and less elastic.
- Skin changes texture and loses elasticity, arteries harden,
and the joints stiffen; sarcopenia. - Sensory abilities decline (older people become
more susceptible to hypothermia) - Hair grows thinner & grayer, some have a slight loss in
stature; curving of upper back which decreases
breathing abilities
Health Changes Effects on Occupation
Health Changes Effects on Occupation ●Loss of vision or hearing ●Difficulty staying asleep ●Sexuality: loss of a partner, difficulty arousing, overall health, etc. ●Medication management ●Physical health decline
Theories of Aging
●Wear-and-Tear Theory
●Genetic Preprogramming
-Accumulation of Metabolic Waste (or Free-Radical) Theory
●Autoimmune Theory
●Hormone Effects
●Longevity Assurance Theory
Cognitive Functioning
Cognitive Functioning
●Varied courses of different cognitive abilities
●Perceptual speed decreases; slowing of neural impulses
●Depends on whether the elderly use their abilities- Use it or Lose it!
Cognitive Decline
Factors that reduce risk of cognitive decline in old age:
Cognitive Decline
●Factors that reduce risk of cognitive decline in old age:
–Good health: no chronic diseases
–Environmental circumstances: education, interests, income and family
–Stimulating lifestyle
–Flexible and adaptable personality
–Marriage to spouse with high cognitive capabilities
Overestimating the Effects of Aging
Overestimating the Effects of Aging
Psychologists have traditionally taken too negative a
view of the impact that aging has on intellectual
functioning.
One reason is that researchers have relied too
heavily upon cross-sectional studies.
Another reason is related to the death drop in
intellectual functioning that typically occurs just a
short time before a person dies.
