Topic 3: Physical and Cognitive Developmental Changes in MA Flashcards
Hair thinning and hair loss are attributed to what hormones?
Women: reduced estrogen
Men: increased dihydrotestosterone
Skin sagging is primarily due to what?
loss of underlying fat and muscle tone
Describe the metabolism in MA.
metabolism slows down
The slowing down of metabolism leads to this phenomenon in MA?
Middle-age spread
What changes in vision are observed in MA?
presbyopia & worsening of night vision
There is an increased sensitivity to glare and difficulty seeing in low-light for people in MA. T/F?
T
Why does night vision naturally worsen with aging?
lens thickens + pupil becomes smaller
What changes in hearing are observed in MA?
Presbycusis & Tinnitus
What condition causes the loss of hearing acuity and fast decline of higher pitches?
presbycusis
Tinnitus manifests typically at what age?
40-80 years old
The decline in hearing also leads to a decline in balance (vestibulocochlear nerve). T/F?
T
What changes are observed in Taste & Smell in MA?
decreased/shrinkage of taste buds, decreased saliva production, diminished sense of smell
What changes are observed in Touch & Pain Perception in MA?
number of nerve endings in the skin decreases, nerve conduction slows down, sensitivity to temperature decreases
By what age do individuals experience diminished sensitivity to pain?
50 years old
Sarcopenia can begin as early as what age?
40 years old
Fat accumulation in what area is commonly observed in MA?
stomach area
What changes in the cardiovascular system is observed in MA?
- increased risk for CVD
- Atherosclerosis
- Hypertension
What is atherosclerosis?
build up of fatty plaque in arteries
With regard to the gastrointestinal system of an MA individual, what conditions are common?
gallstones and heartburn
Cognitive function starts to decline and plasticity slows down during MA. T/F?
F. Brain continues to have plasticity according to mid-age experiences.
The amount of brain white matter increases till what age before declining?
50s
Total number of glomeruli declines in MA. T/F?
T
The gradual decline of the immune system in MA causes what implications?
- less able to distinguish foreign substances.
- macrophage works slower
- Fewer WBC
Chronic background inflammation rises at what age?
55 years old
What is the implication of chronic background inflammation?
reduces the ability of the body to respond to infections or vaccinations
What happens to hormone receptors during MA?
becomes less sensitive (most prominent in sex hormones)
What does climacteric mean?
the decline of fertility during midlife
What hormones primarily decline due to menopause?
progesterone and estrogen
Male equivalent of menopause.
andropause
Strength starts to decline progressively by what age?
40 years old
Musculoskeletal hand issues become more common after what age?
50 years old
Decline in coordination, stability, and balance may be attributed to what?
bones shrinking in size and density
Reaction time ______ due to aging.
decreases
The reduction in balance and agility in MA increases the risk of _________.
falling
What factors could motivate MA adults into education?
personal interest in a subject or aspirations for career advancements
What type of leisure is popular amongst MA people?
Watching TV
What factors may affect the health of MA individuals?
- Intergenerational Dynamic
- Financial Vulnerabilities
- Depression, Distress, & Well-being
- Job Stability
- Retirement
- Education
- LGBTQ+
- Diet, Smoking, Exercise Behaviors, Weight, etc.
- Lifestyle
- Culture, Race Discrimination
Rates of depression, anxiety, and serious psychological distress are highest in ______ for people who are LGBTQ+.
midlife
How can a person in MA cope with physical changes?
- physical activity
- healthy diet
- cosmetic and supplements
- changing appearance
Between what ages are perceptions of physical losses remain relatively stable?
40-65 years old
Self image declines around what age for some people?
55 years old
What is the overall perspective on aging by MA?
Acceptance leads to growth and new experiences
What is the most common cause of death for people in MA?
CVD and cancer
What is the most common health condition for men?
fatal chronic conditions (e.g. heart disease, cancer, stroke, etc.)
What is the most common health condition for women?
non-fatal illnesses (e.g. arthritis, varicose veins, etc.)
What is the most prevalent condition in MA as a whole?
Osteoarthritis
OA happens in a ______ progression. Hence, early intervention is crucial.
gradual
Heart disease is associated with worse ________ function.
physical
What are the key risk factors for heart disease?
hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia
What is the main cause of death for adults ≥ 40 years old?
hypertension
What is the most prevalent mental disorder among MA adults?
depression & anxiety
Processing speed declines starting 30s but is more pronounced in what stage of adulthood?
middle adulthood
Inconsistencies in response times and cognitive abilities amongst MA adults are due to what?
increased intraindividual variability / fluctuations in cognitive performance
What kind of memories decline during MA?
episodic and working memory
What kind of memories remain intact during MA?
semantic and procedural memory
In terms of attention, what declines during MA?
decline in divided and selective attention
What is divided attention?
doing two things at once (multitasking)
What is selective attention?
focusing one thing (filtering out distractions)
Sustained attention peaks at what age?
40s
In work, what is the observable midlife crisis of MA adults?
monotony
What kind of knowledge increases through work for MA adults?
tacit knowledge
_____ learning over rote learning is more commonly used.
meaningful
MA adults require more time to learn things but it also retains longer. T/F?
T
How do MA adults compensate for changes in cognitive function?
active lifestyle, crystallized intelligence, sleep
How can MA adults maintain cognitive health?
engage in cognitively stimulating activities, participation in social activities, physical activities
