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Published byKaren Jordan Modified over 9 years ago
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10 Stages in the Life Span 6) PUBERTY or PREADOLESCENCE – ten or twelve to thirteen or fourteen years 7) ADOLESCENCE – thirteen or fourteen to eighteen years 8) EARLY ADULTHOOD - eighteen to forty years 9) MIDDLE AGE – forty to sixty years 10) OLD AGE or SENESCENCE – sixty years to death
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7 Periods of Development
7) Older adulthood Young-old Middle-old Old-old 65 yrs to death 65-74 yrs 75-84 yrs 85 yrs to death
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Development in 8 Periods of the Life Span
AGE PERIOD MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS Late Adulthood (65 yrs & over) Most people are healthy & active, altho health & physical abilities decline somewhat. Slowing of some reaction time affect many aspects of functioning. Most people are mentally alert. Altho intelligence & memory may deteriorate in some areas, most people find ways to compensate. Retirement from work force may create more leisure time but may reduce economic circumstances. People need to cope with losses in many areas ( loss of one’s faculties, loss of loved ones) & their own impending death.
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Havighurt’s Developmental Tasks During The Life Span
Old Age: Adjusting to decreasing physical strength & health Adjusting to retirement & reduced income Adjusting to death of spouse Establishing an explicit affiliation with members of one’s age group Establishing a satisfactory living arrangements Adapting to social roles in a flexible way
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Old Age The closing period in the life span
Age 60: dividing line bet. middle & old age Current trend: 65 yrs as retirement age Subdivided into: early old age= 60 to 70 yrs “elderly” advance old age= 70 to death “old”
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Characteristics of Old Age
A Period of Decline Individual Differences in the Effects of Aging Judge by Different Criteria Many Stereotypes of Old People Social Attitudes Toward old Age A Minority-Group Status Aging Requires Role Changes Poor Adjustment is Characteristic of Old Age Desire for Rejuvenation is Widespread
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Characteristics of Old Age
Many Stereotypes of Old People Folklore/tales tend to depict age unfavorably Characterized unfavorably in different forms in mass media “young is beautiful, old is ugly” Jokes/humor contribute to sterotypes of the elderly Social Attitudes Toward old Age Worn out physically & mentally; accident-prone Unproductive & their days of usefulness is over Hard to live with A Minority-Group Status- “second-class citizen”
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Characteristics of Old Age
A Period of Decline Senescence- a time of growing old or of aging Senility- period during old age when more or less complete physical breakdown takes place & when there is mental disorganization Decline due to physical & psychological causes Individual Differences in the Effects of Aging Aging affects different people differently Judge by Different Criteria Tend to judge age in terms of physical appearance & activities
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Problems Unique to Old Age
Physical helplessness dependency Economic insecurity change lifestyle Establishing living conditions Making new friends to replace (dead/disabled/moved) Developing new activities Learning to treat grown children as adults Involvement in activities planned for the elderly Being “victimized” or taken advantage
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Developmental Tasks of Old Age
Adjustment to Physical Changes Changes in appearance; physiologic changes; sensory changes Common changes in motor abilities Changes in Mental Abilities Mental changes: variations Changes in Interest Conditions affecting change of interest Conditions responsible for changes in recreational interest Vocational Adjustments Conditions limiting employment opportunities Adjustments to Changes in Family Life
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Common Changes in Appearance: Head Region
Nose elongates Mouth changes shape due to tooth loss or to wearing dentures Eyes seem dull & lusterless, often watery look Double or triple chin develops Cheeks become pendulous, wrinkled & baggy Skin becomes wrinkled & dry; dark spots, warts or moles appear Hair in head thin & turns gray/white; tough, bristly hair appears in nose, ears & eyebrows
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Common Changes in Appearance: Trunk Region
Shoulders stoop & thus seem smaller Abdomen bulges & droops Hips seem flabbier & broader than they did earlier Waistline broadens, giving the trunk a sac-like appearance Breasts become flabby & droop
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Common Changes in Appearance: Limb
Upper arms flabby & heavy; lower arm seems to shrink Legs become flabby & veins prominent Hands become scrawny, veins on back prominent Feet becomes large due to sagging muscles; corns, bunions & callouses Nails of hands & feet become thick, tough & brittle
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Neurologic Changes & Their Significance in the Elderly
System Findings Significance Visual Diminished ROM on convergence & upward gaze Small, irregular pupils Diminished reaction to light & near reflex Combination of restricted vertical gaze & cervical motion difficulty seeing information posted on walls Motor Decreased muscle strength: legs>arms, proximal>distal Atrophy of interossei Short-stepped or broad-based gait with diminished associated movements Hip extensors may no longer be strong enough to lift body from sitting to standing; arm strength used to push up Sensory Diminished vibratory: legs>arms Mildly increased threshold for pain, temperature & light touch Poor sensory input from feet risk for falls Risk for injury from topical heat modalities Reflexes Absent or diminished ankle jerks Reduction in knee, biceps & triceps reflex Radiculopathies maybe overlooked or misdiagnosed
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Common Hazards of Old Age
Physical Diseases & physical handicaps Malnutrition Dental disorders Sexual deprivation Accidents Psychological Acceptance of cultural stereotypes of the elderly Effects of physical changes – insecurity & inadequacy Changes in life patterns Tendency to “slip” mentally Feelings of guilt about idleness; reduced income Social disengagement
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Common Hazards of Old Age
Vocational Prevention from working Retirement Family Loneliness Family-life hazards Living arrangements Role changes
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Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age
Factors Influencing Adjustments Characteristics of Good Adjustment Characteristics of Poor Adjustment Conditions Contributing to Happiness in Old Age
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Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age: Good Characteristics
Strong & varied interests Economic independence Many social contacts with people of all ages Enjoyment of work which is pleasant & useful but not overtaxing Participation in community organization Ability to maintain a comfortable home Ability to enjoy present activities without regretting the past A minimum worry about self & others Enjoyment of day-to-day activities regardless of how repetitious they maybe Avoidance of criticisms of others especially members of young generation
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Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age: Poor Characteristics
Little interest in the world of today or individual’s role in it Withdrawal into world of fantasy Constant reminiscing Constant worry, encourage by idleness A lack of drive, leading to low productivity in all areas Refusal to take part of activities for elderly bec “boring” Many social contacts with people of all ages Loneliness due to poor family relationships & lack of interest of contemporaries Involuntary geographic isolation; involuntary residence in an institution or with a grown child Constant complaining & criticizing of anything and everything
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Conditions Contributing to Happiness in Old Age
A favorable attitude toward old age developed as a result of earlier pleasurable contacts with elderly people Happy memories of childhood & adulthood Freedom to pursue a desired lifestyle without outside interference A realistic attitude toward & acceptance of the physical & psychological changes of old age Acceptance of self & present living conditions even if fall below expectations opportunity to establish a satisfying socially acceptable pattern of life Acceptance by & respect from the social group Satisfaction with marital status & sex life Reasonably good health without chronic health problems Enjoyment of social activities with relatives & friends A financial situation adequate to meet needs and wants
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