Physical and Cognitive Developement in Late Adulthood

Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

Ciara James

Vision and Hearing

Maximum Lifespan

• Cataracts: cloudy areas in the lens that cause foggy vision, if not removed with surgery then could result in blindness.
• Affect 25% of people in their 70's and 50% of people in their 80's.
• Macular degeneration: central region of retina breaks down causing blurry vision
• Reduced blood supply and natural cell death in the inner ear and auditory cortex cause a decline in hearing

• Maximum Lifespan: a species-specific biological limit to length of life, corresponding to the age at which the oldest known individual died.

Nabi Tajima - 117 years 260 days

Sarah Knauss - 119 years 97 days

Jeanne Calment - 122 years 164 days

Taste and Smell

Variations in Life Expectancy

• Reduced sensitivity to sweet, salty, sour, and bitter after age 60
• Smell receptors decrease in number after age 60.
• Poses a threat for safety

• Women can expect to have 2-7 more years than men due to having an extra X chromosome.
• Life expectancy varies depending on SES, ethnicity, and nationality.
• Infant mortality, unintentional injuries, life-threatening disease, stress, and violent death are linked to those of a low SES.

Physical Changes

Life Expectancy in Late Adulthood

• The 85-and-older group is fastest growing, which has increased by 30% in the past decade and currently makes up nearly 3.5% of the U.S. population.
• Around age 87 a life expectancy crossover takes place where the surviving members of the low SES ethnic minority groups live longer than members of the white majority.
• Identical twins typically die within years of each other and fraternal twins of the same sex differ by more than 6 years.

The average healthy life expectancy is

the number of years a person born in a particular year can expect to live in full health, without disease or injury

5 Major Reasons Why America Ranks Last for Life Healthy Life Expectancy

Immune System/Typical Diseases

• Eating habits
• High rates of diseases and health problems
• Less than favorable health-care policies
• Pollution and low air quality in inner cities
• Stress onset the the need to continue working past retirement

Activities of daily living (ADLs): basic self-care tasks required to live on one's own, such as bathing, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a chair, or eating

Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs): tasks necessary to conduct the business of dqaqily life and also requiring some cognitive competence, such as telephoning, shopping, food preparation, housekeeping, and paying bills.

Physical Appearance and Mobility

After age 75 about 9% of Americans have trouble performing basic self care duties.

• T cells become less effective as the immune system ages.
• Autoimmune response: a malfunction causing the immune system to turn against normal body tissues
• More susceptible to things such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer, and various autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.
• Overall physical vigor is indicative of immune health

Arthritis, Diabetes, and Alzheimer's Disease

• Bone strength deteriorates due to reduced bone mass
• By 60-70 years of age 10-20% of muscle power has been lost.
• 30-50% by age 70-80

Sexuality

• Pigment lost in hair
• Skin dry and rough as oil glands become less active
• The nose and ears broaden and new cells are deposited on the outer layer of skeleton.

Overcoming Stereotypes of Aging

• Osteoarthritis: Deteriorating cartilage on ends of bones of frequently used bones. Most common cause for mobility problems,
• Rheumatoid: involves whole body. Results in deformed joints and often serious loss of mobility
• Alzheimer's Disease: gradual loss of many aspects of thought and behavior due to structural and chemical brain deterioration.

• Most healthy older couples report having continued regular sexual enjoyment
• Good sex in the past predicts good sex in the future
• Disabilities that disrupt blood flow to the penis are responsible for dampening sexuality in older men
• Women report poor health and absence of a partner are reasons for reduced sexual activity

• Diabetes: disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.
• Type 2 (diabetes mellitus) is a long-term medical condition in which your body doesn't use insulin properly, resulting in unusual blood sugar levels.
• High blood glucose damages blood vessels, increases risk of heart attack, stroke, circulatory problems, and injury to eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

• Age 95
• At least 34 movies and TV shows
• Started acting at age 18