Late Adulthood

Late Adulthood

The final chapter of human development, typically considered to begin around age 65.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity for deductive reasoning and problem-solving that is not dependent on experience.

Crystallized Intelligence

Knowledge and skills built over a lifetime, including vocabulary and cultural knowledge.

Primary Aging

Inevitable, universal, and irreversible changes that occur due to the aging process.

Secondary Aging

Age-related declines that result from extrinsic factors such as disease and environmental effects.

Sarcopenia

Loss of muscle mass that occurs as a result of aging.

Neuroticism

A personality trait characterized by anxiety and emotional instability, negatively predicting wisdom.

Wisdom

Expert knowledge about the practical aspects of life that allows for excellent judgment.

Delirium

An acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and cognition, commonly seen in older adults.

Dementia

A progressive, chronic condition characterized by cognitive decline, including memory loss.

Cognitive Mechanics

The hardware of the mind, reflecting the neurophysiological architecture of the brain.

Cognitive Pragmatics

Culture-based software programs of the mind, including skills like reading and writing.

Frailty

A condition characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability.

Life Review

The process of reflecting on life experiences and evaluating them, associated with integrity in late adulthood.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that outline an individual's wishes regarding medical treatment and healthcare.

Euthanasia

The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve suffering.

Palliative Care

Medical care focused on providing relief from pain and other symptoms of serious illness.

Social Isolation

A lack of contact with other individuals, with both objective (quantifiable) and subjective (perceived) dimensions.

Universal Design

Design principles that allow accessibility for individuals of all ages and abilities.

Ageism

Bias or prejudice against individuals based on their age, particularly affecting older adults.

Life Expectancy

The average period a person is expected to live, which has changes over time based on various factors.

Telomeres

The protective caps at the end of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division, related to aging.

Chronic Illness

A long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured, often affecting quality of life in late adulthood.

Functional Age

A measure of a person's ability to perform in various capacities, often seen as more relevant than chronological age.