Late Adulthood

60 years and up

Stereotypes of the Aged

• Both negative and positive (generate examples)

• These stereotypes are internalized by the aged population which leads to real differences in functioning, especially in cognition

Ageism

• Prejudice and discrimination of the aged.

• Prejudice is an attitude or belief that old people are inferior.

• Discrimination is an action taken to prevent equal treatment of the aged.

Differences Among the Aged

• Young-old: healthy, independent older adults who are active and involved in community. Most are below the age of 75.

• Old-old: older adults who have health or social problems. Most are above 75 y.o.a.

• Oldest-old: dependent older adults who require constant supervision and support. Most are over the age of 85.

Primary Aging

• Includes all the process of senescence.

• Irreversible and universal changes which occur with time

• Body systems become less efficient with age

• Every part of the body slows down.

• Pace of decline speeds up in late adulthood.

Primary Aging Effects in Appearance

• Skin becomes drier, thinner, less elastic.

• Hair grows thinner, grayer, and may turn white or fall out.

• Body shape shortens, fat collects in torso and lower face

• Body weight decreases due to muscle and calcium bone loss.

Primary Aging Effects in the Senses

• Vision: corrective lenses become necessary for most and 10% develop serious vision problems: Cataracts, Glaucoma, Senile macular degeneration.

• Hearing: hearing loss effects 40% of the 65+ population.

• Touch, smell, and taste also lose acuity

Social Effects

• Hearing loss can have a profound impact on social functioning, but this is not inevitable.

• Admitting to the problem, and seeking medical aids, as well as developing strategies to adjust to the changes can minimize the social impact of hearing loss.

Secondary Aging

• Aging and disease are separate. Secondary aging refers to effects of illness.

• Secondary aging correlates with age, but is not directly caused by aging.

• Genetics, past lifestyle, eating and exercise habits are factors contributing to secondary aging.

Compression of Morbidity

• A limiting of the time a person spends ill or infirm, accomplished by postponing illness or, once morbidity occurs, hastening death.

• Largely due to preventive measures and healthy lifestyles.

• Relates to physical and psychological health benifits

Theories of Aging

• Wear and Tear: Human body wears out by time and exposure to environmental stressors.

• Cellular Accidents: Mutations in cell structures do not properly reproduce and these do not function properly. Free radicals result with the breakdown of body molecules which destroy other molecules.

Theories of Aging

The accumulation of free-radicals increases as we age and with exposure to stress. This accelerates disease.