Slide 1Middle Age: A Social ConstructDefining Middle AdulthoodThe Aging ExperienceThe Aging ExperiencePhysical ChangesPhysical changes in Middle AdulthoodPhysical changes in Middle AdulthoodPhysical changes in Middle AdulthoodSleepAge-Related Visual ProblemsHearing Loss: PresbycusisMenopauseAttitudes Toward MenopauseSymptoms of MenopauseHealth After Menopause: OsteoporosisChanges in Male SexualityPhysical DevelopmentPhysical DevelopmentHealth TrendsDouble Standard of AgingSlide 22Longevity and AgingDifferences in Life ExpectancyLongevity & Aging**Theories of Biological AgingPhysical Development in Late AdulthoodSensory DevelopmentSensory DevelopmentPhysical Development in Late AdulthoodHealth Status in Late AdulthoodPhysical Development in Late AdulthoodHealthHealthHealthHealthHealth**Activities of Daily LivingPhysical Development in Middle and Late AdulthoodMiddle Age: A Social Construct•Changing midlife•Age identity is younger than chronological age•An increasing percentage of the population is made up of middle-aged and older adults•“Rectangularization” of the age distributionDefining Middle Adulthood•Middle adulthood – 40-45 years to about 60•declining physical skills and increasing responsibility•Awareness of shrinking time left in life•Transmitting something meaningful to the next generation•Reaching and maintaining career satisfactionThe Aging Experience •Most younger middle-adults see their lives as still needing improvement•Most older middle-adults are satisfied with most areas of life•social, financial, healthThe Aging Experience•Late midlife (55 to 65) is likely to be characterized by:•Death of a parent•Last child leaving the home•Becoming a grandparent•Preparation for and actual retirement•For most people, at least up until about age 75, aging is a positive experiencePhysical Changes•Behavioral and lifestyle factors dating from youth can affect physical changes•People who are active early in life reap the benefits later in life•Use it or lose it!Physical changes in Middle Adulthood•Skin may become less taut and smooth •Hair becomes thinner•Middle-age spread common•men: upper abdomen, back•women: waist, upper arms•Can be avoided: eating and exercise•Yellowing teethPhysical changes in Middle Adulthood•Strength, joints, and bones•Sarcopenia - Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength•Cushions for bone movement become less efficient•Leading to joint stiffness and more difficulty in movement•Progressive bone loss (more later)•Start to lose heightPhysical changes in Middle Adulthood•Endurance •Decrease in basal metabolism•Cardiovascular system•High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease•Exercise, weight control, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can often help•Metabolic syndrome: Hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, low HDL, and high LDLSleep•Beginning in 40s, •wakeful periods are more frequent•less of the deepest sleep•Sleep problems are more common •those who use a higher number of prescription and nonprescription medications•Obese•Depressed•cardiovascular diseaseAge-Related Visual Problems•Structure of the eye•Sensitivity to light•Speed of processing•Loss of visual acuityHearing Loss: Presbycusis•A gradual hearing loss•Rarely noticed early •Speeds up in the fifties•Affects sounds at pitches higher than speechMenopause•When a woman permanently stops ovulating and menstruating•No longer able to conceive a child•On average at about 52 years•Perimenopause: 3-5 year slowing process before menopause •Estrogen and ova production decline beginning in mid 30sAttitudes Toward MenopauseIn the US, most women view menopause positively•Most express relief•Many see it as a time of greater independence and personal growthSymptoms of Menopause•Many women experience little discomfort•Most common are hot flashes•Only half of women experience symptoms•Other symptoms:•Vaginal dryness, burning, & itching•Sexual appetite remains stableHealth After Menopause: Osteoporosis•Can result in loss of height and ‘hunchback’•African American women less likely to develop•Slowing osteoporosis:•Proper nutrition •Exercise•Avoidance of smokingChanges in Male Sexuality•No evidence to support ‘andropause’ or ‘male menopause’•Testosterone decreases slowly •About 1% per year after the 30s•No strong relationship between testosterone levels and sexual performance•Possible erectile dysfunction13-18Physical Development•Health and disease•Frequency of accidents declines in middle age•Individuals are less susceptible to colds and allergies •Stress is increasingly being found to be a factor in disease•Chronic stress can interfere with immune functioning•Linked to disease through immune system and cardiovascular factors13-19Physical Development•Mortality rates•Chronic diseases are the main cause of death during middle adulthood •Heart disease•CancerHealth Trends•Hypertension - risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Can be controlled through:•Blood-pressure screening•Low-salt diets•Medication•Heart Disease—leading cause of death between ages 45 and 64•Diabetes - doubled since 1990sDouble Standard of Aging•Aging men rated more positively; women more negatively•Evolutionary roots; media, social messages•Appears to be declining•new positive models replacing old ideasPhysical Development in Late AdulthoodLongevity and Aging•Longevity: Actual length of life•Life Expectancy: Statistical likelihood of length of life, based on age and health status; humans ~ 80 yrs•dramatic increase in last 100 years (antibiotics, decrease in infant mortality)•Life Span: Longest period that members of species can live; humans ~ 122 yearsDifferences in Life Expectancy•Health conditions, medical care, etc.•Sex differences •women outlive males an average of 5 years •80.8 vs. 75.7 years•health attitudes, habits, lifestyles, occupation•biological factors -- females outlive males across species15-25Longevity & Aging•Centenarians•Genes play an important role in surviving to an extreme old age along with:•Family history•Health (weight, diet, smoking, and