1. Chapter 5-2 Old Age Pp

2. Chapter 5/ Section 2: Old Age
MAIN IDEA: As we age, our priorities change and expectations change to match realities, and we experience losses as well as gains
VOCABULARY: Decremental model of aging, ageism, senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease
OBJECTIVES: Identify changes that occur in health and life situation during old age. Summarize how people physically, mentally, and socially adjust to old age

3. Attitudes Toward Aging
Decremental Model of Aging: idea that progressive physical and mental decline are inevitable
Great differences vary greatly among the elderly depending on their genetic makeup and environment
Ageism: prejudice or discrimination against the elderly
Misconception exists that older people are inflexible or senile. Rigidity is more a lifelong habit. The older person who is inflexible, was probably like that when they were younger

4. Changes in Health
Physical strength declines about 1% per year through adulthood
About 31% of American adults are obese
Good health in younger years carries over to adulthood
Eating habits and exercise influence the patterns of health and disease

5. Changes in Health
About 35% of elderly have one chronic disease (a permanent disability, as opposed to acute or temporary)
The four most prevalent chronic diseases are heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis
The major cause of death among the old are heart disease, cancer, and strokes

6. Changes in Health
The quality of health care for the elderly mostly remains inferior to the general population
There are numerous reasons for this: lower socio-economic classes tend to not take care of themselves, doctors prefer to work with patients with acute conditions, some doctors hold stereotypical views that older people can only be stabilized, not cured. Nursing homes may be inadequate.

7. Changes in Health
Some elderly are no longer able to take care of themselves and might move in with relatives
Only about 4% of people 65 and older live in a nursing home
Nursing homes often have inadequate facilities

8. Changes in Life Situation
In late adulthood transitions are often negative with reduced responsibilities and isolation
About 43% of women and 15% of men are widowed.
By the age of 75, nearly 22% and 60% of women are alone
The symptoms of depression are very common in older adults, Symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, extreme sadness, inability to concentrate, and thoughts of death and suicide

9. Changes in Sexual Activity
The majority of people over the age of 65 continue to be interested in sex
“Sexy young people mature in to sexy middle aged and mature people
The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior
Older adults might not engage in sexual activity because of poor health or the death of a spouse not due to lack of interest

10. Adjusting to Old Age
The elderly may lose control over what they value most: good health, recognition from the community, visits from family and friends, privacy, leisure, and work activities
The loss of control is usually gradual and may include physical and external circumstances
Those who experience a loss of control often develop a negative self-concept

11. Changes in mental functioning
There is much less decline in intelligence and mental functioning than people think
Elders may not perform well on tests for a number of reasons including less education, less familiar with the test taking method, and slower reflexes
John Horn proposed two types of intelligence CRYSTALLIZED and FLUID intelligence
As people age, their nervous systems decline and so does their fluid intelligence

12. Senile Dementia
A small percentage of people develop senile dementia in old age
Senile dementia is characterized by memory loss, forgetfulness, disorientation of time and place, a decline in the ability to think, impaired attention, altered personality, and difficulties in relating to others
Dementia has many causes, some treatable, some not

13. Alzheimer’s Disease The most common form of senile dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is an affliction most common among elderly
Alzheimer’s is a neurological disease marked by a gradual deterioration of cognitive functioning
Early signs include frequent forgetting, poor judgment, increase irritability, and social withdrawal
Patients lose the ability to recognize simple questions and to recognize friends and loved ones

14. Alzheimer’s Disease
Patients require constant supervision and custodial care, often by trained professionals
Rarely do patients die from the disease, but their weakened state leaves them vulnerable to a variety of other potentially fatal problems
The causes of Alzheimer’s are unknown, genetics plays a roll