Year

1
Growth of Population Sixty-five Years Old and Over
25
25
22.9
20
20
17.7
15
15
12.6
Percent of Population
10
9.2
10
5.4
5
5
4.1
0
0
2050
2020
1990
1960
1930
1900
Year
2
Demographic Revolution

• We are living currently in the very oldest world
  society that has ever existed.
• Aging population will be one of the dominant
  trends over the next decades in the
  industrialized world.
• Over-65 population in the U.S. is 11 times what
  it was in 1900. General population is only 3
  times as many as in 1900.

3
Life Expectancy Selected Data for Men and Women
in Industrialized Nations
Men Women China 68 71 India 59 60 Israel
76 81 Japan 76 83 Turkey 70 74 Canada
76 83 Cuba 75 80 Mexico 70 77 USA 73 79
Poland 68 76 France 74 82 Germany 73 79 G
reece 76 81 Italy 75 81 Spain 74 81 Switz
erland 75 82 Egypt 60 63 Kenya 56 56 Nige
ria 53 56 South Africa 57 62 Zambia 36 36
Australia 76 83 New Zealand 74 80
4
The Aging Process

• Gradual decline, begun decades ago, continues
• Presbycus (hearing loss)
• Presbyopia (far-sightedness)
• Shrinkage of internal organs
• Shrinkage in height
• Muscles less flexible
• Canities
• Wrinkling and mottling skin
• Neuronal conduction slows
• Less deep sleep
• Higher rates of chronic diseases

5
Suprathreshold Measures Across Age for Three
Major Sensory Systems
125
A
075
Snellen decimal
Visual acuity n gt 20000
025
B
90
Odor identification n 1955
70
50
Correct ()
C
90
Speech intelligibility n 2162
70
50
10
30
50
70
90
Age
6
Risk Factors in Late Adulthood

• Falls (a major cause of death or disability)
• Misuse of medicines
• Social isolation
• Infections
• Osteoporosis
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Depression
• Cancer
• Cardiac Disorder/stroke/pneumonia/diabetes/arterio
  sclerosis
• Dementia
• The Good News Many older individuals lead
  satisfying lives and maintain their health well
  beyond societys expectations.

Source Robert Berg and Joseph Cassells, (Nov. 5,
1990) National Academy of Science. Lawrence H.
Altman, New York Times, November 5, 1990
7
Prescription Drug Use in Late Adulthood

• The majority of elderly adults take some
  medications.
• Some take as many as 7 different drugs.
• Most common medications are
• Sleeping pills
• Laxatives
• Anti-hypertensives
• Diuretics
• Cardiac medications
• Antacids
• Antibiotics
• Cold remedies
• Analgesics
• Psychotropics
• Drugs metabolize more slowly as people age and
  kidney and liver functions decline
• Hazards include
• Toxic interactions

8
Major Theories of Aging
Wear and Tear Theory (Common Sense) Body is like
a car that wears out after so much
mileage Cellular Theories All cells die and are
replaced. Toxins and pollutants affect this cell
reproduction with mutations and imperfection.
Metabolic wastes accumulate. Electrons (free
radicals) break away and destabilize
atoms. Programming Theories We inherit a
biological blueprint that switches off growth
cells. There is a Hayflick limit of replication
of cells.
9
Stages of Progressive Dementia

• The following may occur over a 5 to 15 year
  period
• General Forgetfulness losing keys, eyeglasses,
  forgetting names and appointments
• Forgetfulness More Intense and Prevalent become
  repetitive, confused, unable to concentrate.
  Dysphasic.
• Dangerous Stage getting lost, dressing
  inappropriately, forgetting to eat, forgetting to
  turn off the stove.
• Totally Confused and Disoriented doesnt
  recognize spouse or family members. Cannot
  control body functions. Requires full-time care.

10
Causes of Dementia
Multi-Infarct Dementia or Vascular Causes (14)
Alzheimers (56)
Brain Injury (4)
Multiple Causes (12)
Other Causes (6)
Parkinsons Disease (8)
Source Trushke, Edward F. (Fall 1998) ADVANCES.
Bulletin of Progress in Alzheimers Disease
Research and Care.
11
Alzheimers Disease

• Affects 4 million Americans. 14 million
  predicted to have it by 2050
• 1 out of 10 people over 65 have Alzheimers. 1
  out of 2 over 85 have it.
• Costs over 100 billion annually in health care
  and related costs.
• Definitive diagnosis only on autopsy, with
  findings of plaques and tangles in the brain
  cortex.
• Possible causes include genetic inheritance, slow
  virus, or environmental toxins.
• No known cure.

12
ATCHLEY'S PHASES OR RETIREMENT

• Preretirement
• Honeymoon
• Immediate retirement routine
• Rest and relaxation
• Disenchantment
• Reorientation
• Retirement routine
• Termination of retirement

13
Summary of Physical Development in Late Adulthood

• Continued gradual decline of body functions that
  began in earlier decades
• Risk of chronic and acute diseases, mediated by
  genetics and lifestyle
• Life expectancy has risen dramatically to about
  75 years
• Majority of the 64,000 centenarians living in the
  U.S. have fulfilling lives and some continue to
  excel

14
Summary of Cognitive Development in Late
Adulthood

• Some neuronal loss, but increased synaptic
  connections can compensate.
• Dementia is more prevalent in this stage,
  particularly Alzheimers disease.
• New interests grow, and the quality of wisdom is
  enhanced.
• Speed and immediate memory declines.