GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT

The Age of Adulthood Young adulthood= late teens to mid to late thirties Middle adulthood= Begins around 35 and lasts through the late 60’s Older adulthood= Age 65 traditionally used as the start of old age

Maturity and Adulthood Maturity is reached when a balance of growth in th physiological, psychosocial, and cognitive areas has been attained. Characteristics of Maturity Accepts constructive criticism Open to suggestion Learns from own and others experiences Accepts responsibility for their own mistakes

Developmental Theories of the Young Adult Erikson- 8 stages of life Intimacy vs isolation Havighurst- Developmental tasks arise at each age from predictable internal/external pressures Pressures- Tasks- Gould- Developmental Themes w/in adult development 1st Theme (age 20)- “I have to get away from my parents” 2nd Theme (30’s)- “Is what I am the only way for me to be?” 3rd Theme (late 30’s)- “Have I done the right thing? Is there time to change?”

Growth and Development of the Young Adult Physiological Few maturational changes Experience severe illness less Physical changes occur as middle age approaches Personal life-style assessment Cognitive Critical thinking abilities increase with experiences Develop problem solving skills Identify occupation

Growth and Development of the Young Adult Psychosocial Emotional health r/t abilty to resolve personal/ social tasks Predictable trends 23-28- Refining self-perception and ability for intimacy 29-34- Directs energy toward achievement and mastery of surrounding world 35-45- Examining life goals and relationships More attention devoted to occupational/ social pursuits May benefit from career counseling/ testing Trend is more women working while pregnant, men more aware of parental responsibilities

Health Concerns/ Risk Factors for the Young Adult Health Risks Violence Substance Abuse Unwanted pregnancies STDs Occupational, environmental risk factors Lifestyle Concerns Smoking Stress Exercise patterns Personal hygiene Familial history Infertility

Childbearing Family Pregnant womans body undergoes physical changes (pg.225) Cognitive changes Temporary sensory changes Educational needs Psychosocial changes Body Image Role changes Sexuality Coping mechanisms Stresses

Developmental Theories of the Middle Adult Erikson’s Theory (8 stages) Generativity vs Stagnation Integrity vs Despair Havighurst’s Theory- 7 developmental tasks Achieving adult civic/ social responsibility Establishing/ maintaining a standard of living Helping teenagers become responsible and happy adults Developing leisure activities Relating to one’s spouse as a person Accepting/ adjusting to physiological changes Adjusting to aging parents Gould’s Theory Theme for 40s,50s, 60s- “The die is cast”

Middle Adult Growth and Development Physiological changes Gray hair, wrinkled skin, increased weight, balding, menopause and climacteric (reproductive changes) Cognitive development Change rare, if any, due to illness or traua Psychosocial changes Career transition Sexuality Marital changes Family transitions Care of aging parents (sandwich generation)

Middle Adult Health Concerns Physiological Stress Levels of Wellness Forming positive health habits Psychosocial Anxiety related to physiological and psychosocial changes Depression

Theories of Aging Multiple Theories trying to explain aging Psychosocial- tries to explain behavior, roles, and relationships that come w/ aging Biological- no one theory accepted Stochastic Theories Aging is a result of random cellular damage that occurs over time (damage= physical changes) Nonstochastic Theories Genetic physiological mechanisms control the process of aging. \

Developmental Tasks for Older Adults Tasks are associated w/ varying degrees of change and loss. (Box 13-3, pg.239) Common losses: Health Significant others Sense of usefulness Socialization Income Independent living Physical changes of aging

Older Adult Growth and Development Physiological Changes Virtually every body system has some type of change w/ aging Cognitive Changes Delirium- Acute confusional state Dementia- Generalized impairment of intellectual functioning Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia Depression- affects 20% of older adults Psychosocial Changes Involves changes in roles and relationships Retirement Social Isolation Sexuality Housing and Environment Death

Health Concerns of the Older Adult 3 most common causes of death= heart disease, cancer, stroke Physiological concerns 90% of adults>65 have at least one chronic health condition Chronic conditions are 4x more common among older adults than other age groups Chronic conditions affect well being and independence Besides heart disease, cancer, and stroke other concerns include: Smoking Alcohol Abuse Nutrition Dental problems Arthritis Sensory impairments Pain Medication use

Health Concerns of the Older Adult Psychosocial Health Concerns Social isolation Cognitive impairment Stresses due to life changes Interventions addressing psychosocial health concerns Therapeutic communication Touch Reality orientation Validation therapy Reminiscence Body Image interventions

Special Concerns of the Older Adult Acute Care Comfort Safety Nutrition/ hydration Skin Integrity Adverse events (delirium, dehydration, malnutrition, nosocomial infections, urinary incontinence, falls) Restorative Care Convalescence from acute care Interventions should continuing supporting what was started in acute, should address holistic needs Functioning w/ chronic conditions Interventions should focus on promoting health, independence, stabilizing chronic conditions