L10 - The Old Age Period (Senescence)

Flashcards on Old Age Period (Senescence) from a Developmental Psychology lecture, covering physical, cognitive, socioemotional changes, cultural perspectives, and confronting death.

Old Age/Senescence

The final stage of the normal life span.

Defining Old Age

Definitions vary across biology, demography, employment, and sociology; often defined as 60 or 65 years of age or older for statistical and administrative purposes.

Life Span

The maximum number of years an individual can live, remaining at approximately 120 to 125 years.

Life Expectancy

The number of years that the average person born in a particular year will probably live, currently around 78 years in the United States.

Evolutionary Theory (of aging)

Natural selection has not eliminated harmful conditions in older adults because natural selection is for reproductive fitness

Cellular Clock Theory

Cells can divide a maximum of about 75 to 80 times; as we age, cells become less capable of dividing.

Free-Radical Theory

People age because when cells metabolize energy, by-products include unstable oxygen molecules that damage DNA and cellular structures.

Mitochondrial Theory

Aging is due to the decay of mitochondria, primarily from oxidative damage and loss of critical micronutrients.

Hormonal Stress Theory

Aging in the body’s hormonal system lowers resistance to stress and increases the likelihood of disease.

Late Adulthood

The stage of life from the 60s onward, marked by declines in skin elasticity, reaction time, muscle strength, hearing, and vision.

Cataracts

Cloudy areas of the eyes that result in vision loss, common in old age.

Aging Brain

Changes and lower functioning in the brain, leading to problems like memory loss and decreased intellectual function.

Memory Changes in Old Age

A general decline in memory is very common, due to the decrease in speed of encoding, storage, and retrieval of information.

Episodic Memory

Retention of information about the where and when of life’s happenings; older the memory, the more inaccurate it is.

Semantic Memory

A person’s knowledge about the world; longer to retrieve but eventually accessed.

Explicit Memory

Memory of facts and experiences that individuals consciously know and can state; decline during old age.

Implicit Memory

Memory without conscious recollection; involves skills and routine procedures automatically performed; less affected by old age.

Source Memory

Ability to remember where one learned something; failures increase with age.

Prospective Memory

Remembering to do something in the future; generally declines but depends on many factors.

Neurocognitive Disorder/Dementia

Neurological disorder in which the primary symptoms involve a deterioration of mental functioning, affecting memory, visual-spatial ability, language, attention, and executive function.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive, irreversible brain disorder characterized by a gradual deterioration of memory, reasoning, language, and eventually, physical function; the most common cause of dementia.

Parkinson’s Disease

A chronic, progressive disease characterized by muscle tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis, triggered by degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons.

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

The eighth and final stage of Erik Erikson’s theory (65 to death), where individuals contemplate accomplishments and develop integrity or despair based on their life review.

Wisdom

Expert knowledge about the practical aspects of life that permits excellent judgment about important matters.

Activity Theory

Older adults are happiest when they stay active and maintain social interactions to replace lost life roles.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

Older adults become more selective about social networks, prioritizing emotional satisfaction and spending more time with familiar individuals.

Loneliness and Connection in Aging

Positive aging is believed to be social connectedness and social support, counteracting loneliness through active social lives and hobbies.

Kübler-Ross Model

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's theory describes five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Ageism

Involves stereotyping and discriminating against individuals or groups based on their age.

Increased Dependency

As people age, they become more dependent on others, which can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or depression. It can also put older adults at risk of elder abuse.

Geriatric Abuse

Occurs when a caretaker intentionally deprives an older person of care or harms that person.

Gerontology

Study of old age.