Late Adulthood:

Physical Changes (Ch. 17)

Variability in Late Adulthood
And theories of aging
Physical Changes
Behavioural Changes
Mental Health Issues
Successful Aging (Ch. 18)
Erikson on Late Adulthood
Variability in Late Adulthood
Fastest growing segment of the
population
Lifespan
Maximum life expectancy
Life expectancy
Average life expectancy
Increase as we age
Gender gap is narrowing
Variability in Late Adulthood
Subgroups
Young-old (65-74)
Old-old (75-84)
Oldest-old (85+)
Theories of Aging:Senescence

The Cellular Clock
When the clock runs out, our cells die
Hayflick
Cells can only divide a fixed number of times
Telomeres
Telomerase ?
Theories of Aging: Senescence
Damage Theories
Free-radicals
Damage DNA and cell structures
Cross-linking
Impairs functioning of tissues
Genes & Longevity
Influence reserve capacity of organs
Greater
capacity, the longer it takes for
damage to accumulate
Physical Changes
Brain
Loss of weight and volume
Loss of dendritic density
Slower synaptic speed

Vision
Changes in lens and pupil
Depth perception
Diseases of the eye
macular degeneration
 Physical Changes
Hearing
Difficultywith high frequency sounds
word discrimination
Taste and Smell
no change in taste sensitivity
Decrease in smell sensitivity

Touch
Decline in touch sensitivity
opposite proximodistal pattern
Behavioural Changes
General slowing
Result of brain and other changes
Everything takes longer
safety concerns

Sleep and eating patterns

more disrupted sleep
Less able to regulate appetite
 Behavioural Change
Motor Function
Decline in stamina , dexterity
and balance
Sexual activity
Declines across late adulthood
still feels good.
Behavioural Changes
Functional status
Ability to perform roles and tasks
Activities
of daily living (ADLs)
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)

Majority have no major problems

Risk compounded with chronic disease
Mental Health
Dementia is main source of cognitive
impairment
Alzheimers most common
Memory

cognitive
Functional

emotional

Difficult to diagnose
many elders complain of memory problems
Normal age-related memory Symptoms that may indicate
changes dementia
Difficulty performing simple tasks
Able to function independently and
(paying bills, dressing appropriately,
pursue normal activities, despite
washing up); forgetting how to do
occasional memory lapses
things youve done many times
Unable to recall or describe specific
Able to recall and describe incidents
instances where memory loss
of forgetfulness
caused problems
Gets lost or disoriented even in
May pause to remember directions,
familiar places; unable to follow
but doesnt get lost in familiar places
directions
Words are frequently forgotten,
Occasional difficulty finding the right
misused, or garbled; Repeats
word, but no trouble holding a
phrases and stories in same
conversation
conversation
Trouble making choices; May show
Judgment and decision-making
poor judgment or behave in socially
ability the same as always
inappropriate ways
 Depression
Diagnostic Issues:
dismissed as grumpiness
Mistaken for dementia
false positives

Prevention
exercise
social involvement

Religious beliefs and practices

Successful Aging (Ch. 18)
Staying healthy and able

Retaining cognitive abilities

Avoidance of new things may contribute to
cognitive decline
Successful Aging
Social Engagement

Provides meaningful roles
Productivity
Volunteering

Successful Aging
Life satisfaction
Perceptions of social support, adequacy of
income and health are key


Successful Aging
Criticisms and cautions

May cause decline in support for disease-

related geronotology research
 Eriksons View
Ego Integrity vs despair
The sense of having lived a useful life
Integrity

Despair

Life review