T5D2 Flashcards
Define lifespan
The maximum number of years a person can live (now at 120-125)
Define life expectancy
The number of years an average person will live born in a certain place and time (now at 78).
Define young-old
65-84
Define oldest-old
85 and older
Define centenarian
100 years and older
Define supercentenarian
110 years or older
Overall life expectancy for women and men
Women: 81
Men: 76
Women live longer, but
have more non-life threatening illnesses than men
All gender differences are influenced by
nature (biology) and nurture (environment, society)
Describe Free-Radical Theory
Free radicals are by-products of the metabolism of cells (metabolism=using energy)
Free radicals damage
cells
Anti-oxidants can do what related to free radicals
Anti-oxidants can possibly reduce the free radical damage to cells.
Define allostasis
Physiological processes in response to stress
Define Allostatic load
Body wears down because of constant allostasis and makes the person more prone to disease
Stress mindset, don’t think of stress as
- a threat
- a demoralizer
- pressure
- overwhelming
- debilitating
- don’t focus on problems
- don’t fight stress
Stress mindset, think of stress as
- a challenge
- a motivator
- an opportunity
- manageable
- energizing
- focus on possibilities
- embrace stress
Discuss shrinking and slowing related to the aging brain
- shrinkage of neurons
- lower number of synapses
- shorter axons
- reduced myelination
What part of the brain shows most decline in aging
Pre-frontal cortex shows most decline (complex reasoning, working memory)
Two things that slow the aging process of the brain
Exercise and cognitive (intellectual) challenges slow the aging process of the brain!
Define Perceived control
Research has shown that giving elders control over their environment makes them happier, healthier and live longer.
Examples: choosing their food, activities and who can come in their room
Sexual activity in old age is related to what
Sexual activity in old age is positively related to health in old age.
Three normal age-related changes in cognitive functioning
- Harder to ignore distracting information
- Harder to focus and stay focused
- Lower executive functions (planning, info processing)
Six executive function processes
- Planning
- Organizing
- Prioritizing
- Shifting
- Memorizing
- Checking
Define Dementia
An umbrella term for any neurological disorder that involves the deterioration of mental functioning
Define Alzheimer Disease
Progressive, irreversible brain disorder with gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language and eventually physical function
Causes of Alzheimer Disease
- Deficiency in acetylcholine (important in memory)
- ’Plaques’
- ’Tangles’
- ’Oxidative stress’
Define Plaques
Dense build up of proteins in blood vessels of the brain
Define Tangles
Twisted protein fibers build up in neurons
Oxidative stress
Not coping well with free radicals attacks
Alzheimer Disease prevention
Improve cardiac functioning through diet, medicines and exercise
Define Parkinson Disease
Progressive disease with muscle tremors and facial paralysis caused by degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons
Treatment option for Parkinson Disease
Deep Brain Stimulation
Define Spirituality
Experiencing something beyond oneself in a transcendent manner (beyond understanding) and living in a way that benefits others and society.
Spirituality and religion will help you what
Spirituality and religion will help you cope with stressful life-events and make you live longer!
