Chapter 5 Adulthood & Old Age
Chapter 5 Section 1 Adulthood
Adulthood can be a time when a person fully matures into what they are OR it can be a time when life closes in & what was once possible is not limited. Physical Changes Physical peak is reached between 18-30 physical decline is slow & gradual & is usually not noticeable appearance changes graying, thinning hair dry, wrinkly skin senses change difficulty seeing distant objects adjusting to the dark focusing on printed pages gradual or sudden loss of hearing reaction time slows
health problems related to making good choices with diet, exercise & lifestyle 3 most common causes of death in adulthood cancer heart disease cirrhosis of the liver menopause between 45-50 production of sex hormones drops drastically women stop ovulation & cannot produce children does not effect sex drive or enjoyment many women experience little or no discomfort irritability & depression are more emotional than physical
Cognitive Changes For the most part, intelligence remains fairly constant throughout adult life.
Chapter 5 Section 1 Social & Personality Development
Developmental tasks of middle adulthood (Havighurst) Helping teenaged children to become responsible & happy adults. empty nest full nest Achieving adult social & civic responsibility Reaching & maintaining satisfactory performance in one’s occupation career change at mid-life Developing adult leisure-time activities
Relating oneself to one’s spouse as a person divorce & remarriage Accepting & adjusting to the physiological changes of middle age Adjusting to aging parents Caring for aging parents
Chapter 5 Section 2 Old Age
Our society has a decremental model of aging meaning our chronological age is what made people “old” Ageism – prejudice or discrimination against the elderly Developmental tasks of late adulthood (Havighurst) Adjusting to declining physical strength & health. 40% of the elderly have some type of chronic disease heart disease hypertension diabetes arthritis dementia & alzheimer’s Adjusting to retirement & reduced income retirement can increase isolation
Adjusting to death of spouse can also increase isolation Establishing an explicit affiliation with one’s age group Senior Citizen Centers Adopting or adapting social roles in a flexible way Establishing satisfactory physical living arrangements nursing facility, assisted living, with grown children
Chapter 5 Section 3 Dying & Death
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross identified 5 stages of grief or loss. Denial – common reaction is shock & numbness. “This can’t be happening to me.” May refuse treatment which can contribute to the seriousness of the condition. Anger – “Why me?” Alienate themselves because no one can relieve their anger Bargaining – An attempt to bargain with fate – make promises Depression – people become aware of the losses they are incurring & the loss that is to come. Acceptance – struggle is over & there is a sense of calm.