Late Adulthood

1
Late Adulthood

• Chapter 13
• Growth and Development

2
Late Adulthood

• According the US government old age is defined
  as anyone 65 older
• Young old 65-74
• Old- 75-90
• Very old- 90 older
• Elderly people are the fastest growing population
  group in the US in 2003 those 65 older
  numbered 35.9 million
• Most older Americans live in their own homes
• The single most effective predictor of your life
  expectancy is your biologic parents or how many
  years a person can expect to live.

3
AGING

• A normal, inevitable, progressive process
• Lifespan for humans is about 120 years
• The symptoms of normal aging are known as
  senescence
• The study of aging is termed gerontology
• Theories of aging
• biological theories
• psychosocial theories

4
Biological Theories

• Clockwork theory connective tissues cells have
  an internal clock that is genetically programmed
  to stop cell reproduction at a certain time
• Free radical theory unstable molecules present
  in our bodies due to cellular metabolism cause
  damage to our cells
• Wear-and-tear theory after repeated injury
  cells wear out cease to function
• Immune system failure the gradual decline in
  our immune system causes us to become more
  susceptible to infection
• Autoimmune theory the failing of the immune
  system to recognize its own cells eventually
  causes it to destroy its own cells

5
PSYCHOSOCIAL THEORIES

• Disengagement Theory suggests that society and
  the individual gradually withdraw from each other
  thereby transferring the power from the old to
  the young
• Activity Theory suggests that by staying active
  with things that the older person enjoys as long
  as possible they will continue to be happy
• Continuity-Development Theory states that each
  person is an individual their personality
  pattern of coping continues through their entire
  life. The aging process is just another part of
  life.

6
Natural Remedies to Delay the Aging Process

• Ginkgo improves circulation to brain
• Saw palmetto for prostate enlargement
• St Johns wort helps with stress, anxiety
  depression
• Evening primrose for s/s of menopause dry skin
• Black cohosh for s/s of menopause

• Chondroitin Sulfate glucosamine to help with
  cartilage, arthritis, joint problems
• Celery seed for gout arthritis
• Garlic for BP, cholesterol, blood clots
• Vitamin E helps with heart attacks and prevention
  of dementia
• Vitamin C for cold symptoms

7
AGE RELATED PHYSICAL CHANGES - table 13-2

• CV SYSTEM
• SKIN HAIR
• TEETH
• EYES
• EARS
• BRAIN NERVES

• MUSCLES
• BONES
• LUNGS
• DIGESTIVE
• URINARY SYSTEM
• REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

8
Psychosocial Tasks

• Ego Integrity vs Despair
• ego integrity feeling satisfied with ones
  accomplishments
• If a sense of integrity doesnt develop then
  helplessness and despair will
• Use the process of reminiscing or life review to
  help give meaning to their lives and reinforce
  their worth
• Older people usually retain their cognitive
  abilities until late in life
• Ageism prejudice against older people

9
Late Adulthood

• Memory shows slight changes with advancing age
• Older persons tend to show greater losses in
  short-term memory than in long- term memory
• Moral beliefs come from a lifetime of experiences
  and interactions with others
• Many elders find peace and satisfaction through
  spirituality and religion

10
Late Adulthood

• Good nutrition has been shown to prevent
  late-life diseases and to improve the persons
  response to treatment Table 13-4
• Decreased calorie needs after age 21 resting BMR
  declines by 2 per decade!
• Older individuals need more rest, but less sleep
  than younger adults
• Exercise has been recognized as a means to help
  maintain physical fitness across the lifespan

11
Late Adulthood

• Older people are more likely to suffer from at
  least one chronic condition and many have
  multiple conditions
• Causes of death among the elderly are heart
  disease, cancer, stroke, arteriosclerosis,
  diabetes, lung disease, and cirrhosis of the liver

12
Late Adulthood

• The focus of health promotion is on exercise,
  diet modification, and healthy lifestyle
• Accidents can be prevented by recognizing the
  increased risk factors unique to this age group
• Changes in sensory perception, gait changes, and
  neurological disorders may increase the older
  persons risk for falls
• Delirium vs Dementia box 13-8
• Crime and elder abuse cross all the social
  cultural and economic boundaries

13
Late Adulthood

• Social security, Medicare, and Medicaid are
  programs that provide assistance to older persons
• Depression and suicide in older people may be the
  result of their multiple losses, diseases, and
  medication usage