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Chapter 11 Physical Cognitive and Socioemotional Development in Late Adulthood
Chapter 11 Physical Cognitive and Socioemotional Development in Late Adulthood
Ethnic Differences
Life expectancy for African Americans is 7 years lower than that of
non-Latino Whites
Centenarians
Increasing by approximately 7% each year
Explanations:
Diet
Low-stress lifestyle
Caring community
Activity
Spirituality
The Young-Old, the Old-Old, and the Oldest-Old
Vision
Decline in vision becomes more pronounced
Hearing:
Hearing impairments are typical in late adulthood
Hearing aids and cochlear implants can minimize the problems
linked to hearing loss
Lung capacity drops 40% between the ages of 20 and 80, even
without disease, but can be improved with diaphragm-
strengthening exercises
Sexuality
Speed of Processing:
Often due to a decline in brain and CNS functioning
Attention:
Selective attention
Older adults are generally less adept at this
Divided Attention
Sustained Attention
Multidimensionality and Multidirectionality
Memory:
Memory changes during aging, but not all memory changes in the
same way
Factors other than age are critical for wisdom to develop to a high
level
Common predictors:
Earlier depressive symptoms
Poor health or disability
Loss events
Low social support
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Regrets:
Education, careers, marriages, finance/money, family conflict
and children’s problems, loss and grief, and health
Making downward social comparisons
Resolving regrets following the death of a loved one
Reminiscence therapy - Discussing past activities and
experiences with another individual or group
distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
distribution in any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.
Older adults in society
Stereotyping older adults
Ageism – Prejudice/discrimination against others because of their
age
Policy Issues in an aging society
Status of the economy
Health care
Eldercare
Generational inequity
Income
Living arrangements
Technology
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About 80% of older adults have living children, many
of whom are middle-aged
Adult daughters are more likely to be involved in the
lives of aging parents
Adult children often coordinate and monitor services
for aging disabled parents
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In late adulthood, new friendships are less likely to be
forged and close friends are chosen over new friends
Friendships are more important than family in
predicting mental health
Individuals with close ties to friends were less likely to
die across a seven-year age span
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Older adults who had persistently low or declining
feelings of usefulness to others had an increased risk of
earlier death
Volunteering is associated with a number of positive
outcomes
Constructive activities
Productive roles
Social integration
Enhanced meaningfulness
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Three factors are important in living the “good life” as
an older adult:
Health
Security
Kinship/Support
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Seven factors are likely to predict high status for older
adults in a culture:
Have valuable knowledge
Control key family/community resources
Engage in useful/valued functions as long as possible
Role continuity throughout the life span
Age-related role changes that give greater responsibility,
authority, and advisory capacity
Extended family
Respect for older adults
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Many abilities can be maintained and/or improved in
older adults due to:
Proper diet
Active lifestyle
Mental stimulation and flexibility
Positive coping skills
Good social relationships and support
Absence of disease
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End of Chapter
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