Psyc 210 Physical & Cognitive Dev in late adult

late adulthood

Gerontology

The scientific study of aging

Geropsychology

the scientific study of mental health of older adults, specialized field in psychology

Longevity

Maximum lifespan ~120 years, Death rates increase in 60s

Assortive mating/homogamy:

people with similar backgrounds, values, behaviours, and physical appearances attract each other and have offspring that display those characteristics

Biological Theories of Aging

Senescence, Consensus, Hope, Hayflick limit, Telomeres, Telomerase.

Senescence

gradual deterioration of body systems after an organism reaches maturity

Consensus

caused by changes in genetic and epigenetic mechanisms shaped by environmental and stochastic variables

Hope

understanding basic aging mechanisms will facilitate postponement of increased vulnerability to disease

Hayflick limit

theory that each species is subject to a genetically programmed time limit after which cells no longer have the capacity to accurately replicate

Telomeres

string of repetitive DNA at tip of each chromosome that serves as a timekeeping mechanism

Telomerase

enzyme used by some cells to restore telomeres to the ends of their chromosomes

Theory of Cellular Damage

accumulation of unrepaired breaks in DNA over time result in loss of cellular function/organism’s aging

Cross-linking

formation of undesirable bonds between proteins or fats

Free radicals

molecules or atoms possessing an unpaired electron

Stem cells

undifferentiated cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into specialized adult cells

Epigenetic clock

based on DNA methylation levels

Health

single greatest predictor of older adult’s physical and mental status trajectory

Optimism

in self-rating demonstrates resilience and likely protects against the long-term effects of health threats

Functional status

measure of ability to perform certain roles and tasks, especially self-help tasks and tasks of daily living

Frail elderly:

seniors whose physical and/or mental impairments are so extensive that they can’t care for themselves

Health Habits

Predictors from early adulthood continue to be predictors

Biggest predictors

physical activity, proper diet, and smoking. Exercise should focus on improving fitness and function instead of on weight loss

Reversal in development over the lifespan

decreasing efficiency, complexity, and adaptability accompanied by increased compensatory behaviour

Four main changes to brain and nervous system

Reduction of brain weight, Loss of grey matter, Decline in dendrite density, Slower synaptic transmission.

Vision

Decreased blood flow to the eyes resulting in larger blind spot, Slower and lessened widening and narrowing of the pupils, Greater prevalence of eye diseases

Presbyopia

farsightedness

Macular degeneration

age-related deterioration of the retina resulting in loss of central vision

presbycusis

hearing loss

Hearing loss Components

Loss of ability to hear high-frequency sounds, Difficulty with word discrimination sounds, Problems hearing under noisy conditions

Tinnitus

perceived persistent ringing in the ears

Taste

No decline in ability to taste for basic flavours, Greater perceived blandness leading to preference for more intense flavour concentrations

Smell

Major deterioration, major among men, environment factors

Touch

Skin is less responsive to temperature, Increased risk of harm from heat and hypothermia because of less efficient brain signals

Behavioural Effects of Physical Changes (B.E.P.S.)

May affect knowledge retrieval; use of behavioural feedback to compensate, Physical changes more apparent with complex motor activities

Biggest effect (B.E.P.S.)

slowing down – physical and executive function tasks

Factors of slowing down

dendritic loss, arthritis, loss of muscle elasticity

Slowing + changes in temperature sensitivity

more accidental burns

Sleep B.E.P.S.

More frequent waking; less frequent REM,Earlier going to bed and waking; more napping

Prevalence of insomnia

30%

Eating B.E.P.S.

Impairment in sense of satiety, higher likelihood of overeating and anorexia

Motor Functions

Reduced balance, dexterity, and stamina

Primary cause of reduced stamina

changes in cardiovascular system and muscles

Primary cause of reduced dexterity

arthritic changes in joints

Sexual activity

continued decline in frequency, Chronic illnesses can affect libido

Dementia

Leading cause of placement into long-term care in Canada,

Dementias

group of neurocognitive disorders involving problems with memory and thinking that affect a person’s emotional, social, and physical functioning

Dementia Causes

depression, metabolic disturbances, drugs & alcohol, Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism, TBIs, tumours, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia

Alzheimer’s Disease

Decline in ability to communicate, to carry out daily self-care routines, and to process emotions

Anxiety

Usually precipitated by a sudden-onset event, Content of worries tends to be different

Depression

Tends to be associated with losses, caretaking, bereavement, and daily hassles

Geriatric dysthymia

chronic depressed mood in older adults

Risk factors for depression

lack of social support, low income, emotional loss, health problems

Two-way relationship

depression weakens response to therapeutic interventions

Suicide

Prevalence slightly below national average among those 65-75 years, Social involvement important for combatting depression and loneliness

Religious beliefs and practices

protective factor against depression and suicide

Cognitive Changes

show declines on all measures of intellectual skill, especially speed and unexercised abilities, Decline in short-term memory capacity

Wisdom and Creativity

Seniors may be wiser and have enhanced creativity

Baltes’ hypothesized criteria

factual knowledge, procedural knowledge, understanding of the relevance of context, understanding of the relevance of values, recognition that it’s impossible to know in advance how a decision will affect one’s life

Cohen’s theory of mid- to late-life creativity

re-evaluation, liberation, summing up, and encore