Chapter 5-2 Old Age Pp 137-143

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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