Physical & Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood Ch 17 Currently, elderly = 13% of pop in N Am- will increase to nearly ¼ (23%) by middle of this century. MASSIVE social change! ASK SS TO BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE/PROBABLE EFFECTS ON SOCIETY Ever thought about why we have older people- why humans live past productive reproductive capacity? Menopause is unique in animal kingdom!- expectation of life past childrearing. Why? “grandma hypothesis”- advanced by some archeologists: trying to explain why human civilization increased greatly in sophistication about 30,000 yrs ago (Upper Paleolithic age)- population explosion, art, burial rituals. - Found that proportion of older ppl (past childbearing age- 30 vs 15) also increased dramatically. - Proposed that having grandmas (and grandpas) around to help raise their extended families contributed to their groups success, led to population explosion. By that logic, maybe we will finally overcome some of our periennal species problems like warfare

An Aging Population

Perceptions of Old Age

When You Reach 100 Years Old In Barbados, You Get A Stamp In Your Honour.

Conceptions of ‘Old Age’ Variations in respect for elders Asia, Africa Vs US- negative stereotypes create stereotype threat Internalized by middle childhood  Impact self-perceptions, functioning, even lifespan

‘Effects’ of Premature Cognitive Commitments Association between age stereotypes and time until experiencing a first cardiovascular (CV) event. The graph shows the percentage of participants who had not experienced a CV event as a function of time in each age-stereotype group. Levy B R et al. Psychological Science 2009;20:296-298

Healthy Lifespan Lifestyle factors: behaviors, jobs, social supports Public policies and programs: health care, housing, social services

Rates of Disability

Visual and Hearing Impairments

Measuring Aging IMPORTANT: No one biological marker of aging- differs across systems. Can decline faster in one area than another- hearing poor but vision fine, or heart poor but cognitive capacities fine. But researchers have noted that after age 75, declines in cognitive functioning are related to distance to death rather than chrono age So some researchers think that there is a general decline in cog functioning prior to death. Referred to as Terminal decline- a steady, marked decrease in cognitive functioning prior to death. But estimates vary widely- from 1-3 yrs to as much as 14. Suggests that they are not really measuring the same thing- may be conflating species-typical aging processes w/ specific disease processes. So again, no one clear marker of aging. But does underscore an important point- that Functional age can be different from biological age. Thus the term ‘functional age’- focus on ‘young-old’- physically young, functional for age ‘old-old’- showing ‘signs’ of decline [‘signs’ must mean behavioral signs?] NB- she says gets confused in popular lit w/ chrono age. But IS used that way in the gerontological literature- (UA experts)- not just a ‘pop’ misconception. But emphasis on functionality is an important contribution. Another note: most obvious, surface signs of aging (graying hair, baldness, wrinkles) are NOT related at all to sensory, cognitive, and motor functioning. What is related: health of inner systems: skeletal, cardio-vascular, neurological, etc. See as hesitations in speech, movement, etc.

Functional Age Actual competence and performance may not match chronological age Finished 2018 Boston Marathon at age 85!

Physical Changes so what changes? Some changes that seem to be VISUAL SYSTEM Lower visual acuity Poor dim light vision Cataracts Macular degeneration OTHER SYSTEMS Cardiovascular Heartbeat less forceful; slower heart rate, blood flow Vital lung capacity cut by half Immune Effectiveness declines More autoimmune disorders Sleep More difficulties Sleep apnea, insomnia NERVOUS SYSTEM Loss of brain weight accelerates after 60 Neurons lost in visual, auditory and motor areas, cerebellum (balance) Autonomic nervous system less efficient Brain can compensate New fibers New connections Use more parts of brain SEXUALITY Most have sex Married couples: regular, enjoyable sex Singles: 70% men, 50% of women have sex Continue patterns from earlier years “Good sex in the past, good sex in the future” Enjoy activities other than intercourse Men sometimes stop all activities if erection problems APPEARANCE, STRENGTH, AND MOBILITY Skin thinner, rougher wrinkled, spotted Ears, nose, teeth and hair change Lose height and weight after 60 Muscle strength declines 10–20% by 60–70 30–50% by 70–80 Bone strength drops Less flexibility IMPORTANT: No one biological marker of aging- differs across systems. Can decline faster in one area than another- hearing poor but vision fine, or heart poor but cognitive capacities fine. Some researchers think that there is a general decline in cog functioning prior to death. Referred to as Terminal decline- a steady, marked decrease in cognitive functioning prior to death. But estimates vary widely- from 1-3 yrs to as much as 14. Suggests that they are not really measuring the same thing- may be conflating species-typical aging processes w/ specific disease processes. So again, no one clear marker of age. But does underscore an important point- that Functional age can be different from biological age. Thus the term ‘functional age’- focus on ‘young-old’- physically young, functional for age ‘old-old’- showing ‘signs’ of decline [‘signs’ must mean behavioral signs?] NB- she says gets confused in popular lit w/ chrono age. But IS used that way in the gerontological literature- (UA experts)- not just a ‘pop’ misconception. But emphasis on functionality is an important contribution. Another note: most obvious, surface signs of aging (graying hair, baldness, wrinkles) are NOT related at all to sensory, cognitive, and motor functioning. What is related: health of inner systems: skeletal, cardio-vascular, neurological, etc. See as hesitations in speech, movement, etc.

Alzheimer’s

Long-term care

Aging Successfully

Relationships in late adulthood