Physical and Cognitive Development in Late AdulthoodGuideposts for StudySlide 3Old Age TodayWorld Population: 60 and OverU.S. Population TrendsWhat Is Old?Longevity and AgingChanges in Life ExpectancyGender Differences in Life ExpectancyRegional & Ethnic Differences in Life ExpectancyLife Expectancy by Sex and RaceTheories of AgingProlongevity: Expanding the Life SpanBox 17.1 CentenariansDecline in Organic and Systemic FunctioningThe Aging BrainBrain LossOlder EyesCommon Visual ImpairmentsHearing ImpairmentPhysical Losses of Old AgeSexual Functioning in Late AdulthoodSex Differences in Sexual FunctioningHealth Status in Late AdulthoodLeading Causes of DeathActivity AbilitiesLifestyle Influences on Quality of HealthMental ProblemsCauses of DementiaSymptoms of Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s: Causes and RisksAlzheimer’s: Diagnosis and PredictionAlzheimer’s: Treatment and PreventionMeasuring Older Adults’ IntelligenceEveryday Problem SolvingChanges in Information-Processing AbilitiesCognitive Abilities and MortalityMemory Changes in Late AdulthoodEncoding, Storage, and RetrievalMemory Loss and Brain FunctioningOlder Adults and MetamemoryCan Cognitive Performance Improve?Approaches to Studying Wisdom© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncPhysical and Cognitive Development in Late AdulthoodChapter 17© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyHow is today’s older population changing?How has life expectancy changed, what theories have been advanced for causes of aging, and what does research say about possibilities for extending the life span?What physical changes occur during old age, and how do these changes vary among individuals?© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGuideposts for StudyWhat health problems are common in late adulthood, what factors influence health, and what mental and behavioral disorders do some older people experience?What gains and losses in cognitive abilities tend to occur in late adulthood, and are there ways to improve older people’s cognitive performance?© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncOld Age TodayIn the U.S., aging is seen as undesirableMany stereotypes about agingAgeism Prejudice or discrimination based on age© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncWorld Population: 60 and OverU.S. Population Trends© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncWhat Is Old?Primary Aging–Gradual, inevitable process of aging–Occurs throughout years, despite efforts to slow itSecondary Aging–Results from disease, abuse, and disuse–Factors within a person’s controlFunctional Age–How well a person functions physically and socially© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncLongevity and AgingGerontology and geriatricsLife expectancy Statistical likelihood of length of life, based on age and health statusLongevity Actual length of lifeLife span Longest period that members of species can live© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncChanges in Life Expectancy© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncGender Differencesin Life ExpectancyWomen typically live longer than menTend to take better care of themselvesMore likely to seek medical care© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncRegional & Ethnic Differences in Life ExpectancyWho lives to age 70?6 out of 10 in developed countries3 out of 10 in developing countriesIn the U.S., Caucasians live about five years longer than African Americans© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncLife Expectancy by Sex and Race© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncTheories of AgingGenetic-ProgrammingTheoriesVariable-Rate TheoriesProgrammed senescenceWear-and-tearEndocrine Free-radicalImmunologicalRate-of-livingAutoimmune© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncProlongevity:Expanding the Life SpanSurvival curves Until recently, supported limited life spanHayflick limit Estimated biological limit of humans at 110 yearsMetabolism Limited caloric intake may extend life spanBox 17.1 CentenariansFastest-growing segment of populationAlternative patterns in health historiesEscapersSurvivorsDelayersGenetic explanations© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncDecline in Organic and Systemic Functioning© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncThe Aging BrainBrain loses weight over time–10% by age 90Due to:–Shrinking neuron size in cerebral cortex–Loss of axons, dendrites and synapsesNOT due to:– Reduction in number of neurons© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncBrain LossCerebral cortex shrinks more rapidly in menCortical atrophy more likely in:–Overweight women–Uneducated people–People who do not exercise–Those with diets low in fruits and vegetables© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncOlder Eyes80% of older people have trouble seeingOlder eyes:–Need more light to see–Are more sensitive to glare–Have trouble locating signs–Have more trouble negotiating driving skills© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncCommon Visual ImpairmentsCataracts Cloudy or opaque areas of eyesAge-related macular degeneration Retina loses ability to distinguish detailsGlaucoma Irreversible damage to optic nerve caused by increased pressure© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncHearing ImpairmentWho has trouble hearing?•31% 65–74•58% 85 and over•More men than women•More Caucasians than African Americans© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncPhysical Losses of Old AgeOlder people experience diminished:StrengthEnduranceBalanceReaction timeSleep© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncSexual Functioning inLate AdulthoodMost older men and women enjoy sexual expressionConsistent sexual activity over the years maintains sexual functioning“Use it or lose it”© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncSex Differences in Sexual FunctioningMen–Take longer to become erect and ejaculate–Need more manual stimulation–Experience longer intervals between erectionsWomen–Have less breast engorgement–Vagina may be less flexible© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncHealth Status in Late AdulthoodMost older adults are in good general health for their ageAge 65 and older 73% are in good to excellent healthOver age 85  Non-Hispanic whites are in better health than Hispanics and blacks© 2012 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, IncLeading Causes