Adulthood Changes in Your Parents

Finding a Mate Average ages of marriage – 1961 Men: 26 Women: 23 – 2003 Men: 33 Women: 29 Living arrangements

Parenting Birth of 1 st child Marital satisfaction decrease Empty nest, happy nest

Physical Changes Menopause: – Starts late 40’s + – Ending of menstrual cycle – Rapid hormonal changes – Symptoms include… Hot flashes Mood swings Decalcification of bones

Physical Changes in Older Adults Grey/White hair Wrinkles Vision loss Hearing loss Male menopause: gradual depletion of testosterone

Life Expectancy Elderly are more afraid of the process of dying than they are of death 1950: 49 years 1995: 67 years 2007: 78 years

Cognitive Abilities Decline in memory Decline in math LTM Crystallized intelligence increases Fluid intelligence decreases

Social Development Generativity vs. stagnation Integrity vs. despair Staying social is key!

Dealing with Death Elizabeth Kubler Ross Grief – Denial – Anger – Bargaining – Depression – Acceptance