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DEP 2004 Human Development Across the DEP 2004 Human Development Across the LifespanLifespan
Slides adapted from Arnett’s Slides adapted from Arnett’s Human Human Development: A Cultural Approach, Development: A Cultural Approach, 1st Edition 1st Edition and Kail & Cavanaugh’s and Kail & Cavanaugh’s Human Development: Human Development:
A Life-Span ViewA Life-Span View
How is the demographic composition of the
older adult population changing?
What common personal changes are associated with late adulthood?
What factors are associated with successful coping?
Guiding Questions
The Changing Demographic ofOlder Adults in the USA
Women outnumber men in all ethnic groups
Older adult population is more diverse
In 2008, slightly more than 50% of people over 65 had high school diplomas and 18% had college degrees
By 2030, 85% will have high school diplomas and 75% will have college degrees
The population of older adults in
industrialized nations has been increasing rapidly in the 20th century In the year 2030 the number of people over
65 will equal or outnumber the number in other age groups
Increase in Older Adults
Global Aging Pattern
Old-Age Dependency Ratio (OADR) Number of persons aged 65 or older
Number of persons aged 20-64 Bottom number represent work force who pay
into government
Global Aging Pattern
Reasons for climbing OADR Birth rate peaked (represent workforce) Medical care increases longevity
Some gender differences in life expectancy
Health Promotion
Healthy lifestyle includes: Healthy diet—low fat and sugar, taking
multivitamins Regular exercise—lowers risk of disease, increases
muscle and bone mass Aerobic and strength training beneficial
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Physical Changes
Hair continues to gray and thin Bones thin especially in women Age spots develop—sun exposure hastens
development Height and weight decline Teeth yellow Exercise and healthy diet can slow some
appearance changes
Physical Changes
Quality of sleep declines with age Sleep less deeply Time in light sleep increases
Sleep Apnea common sleep problem Can be treated with CPAP device
Psychological issues can also impair sleep Depression, anxiety, and medical conditions
Sensory Changes
Vision Reduced visual acuity Cataracts
Most common visual impairment Increased chance of Macular Degeneration Increased chance of Glaucoma
Sensory Changes
Hearing Acuity diminishes for high-pitched sounds May develop tinnitus Can lead to social isolation
Taste and smell Decline in taste and smell can make food less
enjoyable Dangerous smells not detected
Cognitive Changes
Declines in Selective Attention Divided Attention Sustained Attention
Memory effects include Working memory decline Episodic and autobiographical memory decline Source memory decline
Health Problems
Common health issues are: arthritis osteoporosis, and hypertension
Arthritis—disease of the joints Cartilage that cushions joints wear out Women affected more than men
Management involves medication, inserting new joints and/or exercise
Health Problems
Osteoporosis Increased risk for broken bones Exercise and calcium-rich diet for treatment
Hypertension Secondary aging makes condition worsen Diet and medications are treatment options
Dementia
Aging increases risk of dementia Alzheimer’s disease most common
Loss of memory for recent events including people
increased anxiety and aggression Two features include
Accumulation of plaques Neurofibrillary tangles
Continuity theory - theory based on idea that
people tend to cope with daily life in later adulthood by applying familiar strategies based on past experience to maintain and preserve both internal and external structures Internal structures are related to one’s identity External structures are related to one’s
environment
3 degrees of continuity Too Little - feel life is too unpredictable (or too chaotic) Too Much - can create boredom or a rut of predictability Optimal - enough change to be a challenge and provide
interest by not taxing one’s resources
Continuity Theory
Competence—the upper limit of a
person’s ability to function in five domains; physical health, sensory-perceptual skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, and ego strength
Environmental press—the physical, interpersonal, or social demands that environments put on people
Competence Environmental Press Theory
Adaptation level - when press level is average
for a particular level of competence
Zone of maximum performance potential - when press level is slightly higher (than the person’s competence level), tending to improve performance
Zone of maximum comfort - when press level is slightly slower, facilitating a high quality of life
Proactivity - when people choose new
behaviors to meet new desires or needs and exert control over their lives
Docility - when people allow their situation to dictate the options they have
Dealing with Change
Patterns of friendships in late life are similar
to those in young adulthood Older adults have fewer relationships than
younger adults
Older couples are more likely to be similar in mental and physical health and show fewer gender differences in sources of pleasure
Older couples usually have developed effective ways to avoid conflict
Great-grandparenting is an enjoyable and important role
Relationships
Wisdom with age?
General personal conditions General intelligence and cognitive
ability Openness to new experiences Curiosity
Specific expertise conditions Studying/reading in a new field of
study Practicing a skill Teaching or mentoring someone else
Facilitative life contexts Going to school Leading a community organization
Wisdom = expertise in the conduct and meaning of life
Leisure Activities
Time devoted to leisure activities, community activities, and religious involvement
Leisure activities Increased time to continue previous interests Increased travel if able Time spent doing non-demanding activities
Religious Involvement
Religious involvement Participation increases Practices and beliefs increase Women more religious than men but men hold
dominate positions Promotes self esteem, life satisfaction, and
overall happiness Promotes better physical health
Erikson’s—Ego integrity vs. despair
Integrity versus Despair - (Erikson) - the stage in later life in which people try to make sense of their lives
Involves a life review—looking back and reflecting Integrity associated with acceptance and may lead
to less depression Physical and cognitive problems may interfere with
this process
Ego Integrity