Ch. 15 - Physical and Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood

life span

max # of years an individual can live, remained approximately 120-125 years of age

life expectancy

increased an average of 31 years since 1900; in 2024 it was 79 years but decreases in 2020 and 2021

globally, the US ranks BLANK in life expectancy

49th

women have a BLANK life expectancy compared to men

longer

men are more likely to die from…

the leading cause of death, which are associated with lifestyle

what are men more likely to die from?

lung cancer, car accident, heart disease, liver disease

women are more likely to…

have stronger resistance to infections and degenerative diseases

who has longest life expectancy in US

asian American and latin women

associated factors in centenarians

longevity genes and the ability to cope effectively with stress, few are obese, habitual smoking is rare, and only a small percentage have had significant changes in their thinking skills

evolutionary theory

natural selection is linked to reproductive fitness, so it doesn’t eliminate nonadaptive characteristics that occur after fertility has ended

cellular lock theory

each time a cell divides, telomeres become shorter, eventually the cell can no longer reproduce

free-radical theory

free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules) are a by-product of our cells metabolizing, they can damage DNA & other cellular structures

hormonal stress theory

as we age, stress hormones remain in the bloodstream for longer and the immune system doesn’t function as well

the aging brain…

decrease in brain weight and volume, neurons shrink, lower number of synapses, reduced complexity of axons and dendrites, demyelination

what happens to the prefrontal cortex in aging

it shrink and decreases in working memory

the brain is BLANK lateralized in older adults — might BLANK

less, play a compensatory role in the aging brain

nun study

ingoing investigation of 678 aging nuns, they lead intellectually challenging lives, are socially connected and keep busy, neuroscientists have learned that the brain has a remarkable capacity to change and grow, even in old age

physical appearance and movement in aging adults

bone less, decreased height, muscle loss, limited mobility is correlated with lower cognitive functioning, obesity is linked to mobility limitation, exercise can improve both physical function and cognitive function

what is the leading cause of injury deaths among adults 65 and older

falls

vision & hearing decline is linked to

(1) cognitive decline & (2) having fewer social contacts and engaging in less challenging social/leisure activities

over 60% of adults 70 & older have

a hearing loss

dual sensory loss

reduced social participation, less social support, increased loneliness, cognitive decline, more depressive symptoms

in older adults, BLANK% of men and BLANK% of women ages BLANK have BLANK

64, 69 65-74, hypertension

what can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease

medications, a healthy Diest, and exercise

lung capacity drops BLANK% between the ages of 20 and 80 even without disease

40

what is associated with a lower level of cognitive functioning

poor sleep

how much sleep should you get a night

7-8 hours

how much older adults complain of having difficulty sleeping

50%

what is poor sleep a risk factor for

falls, obesity, and earlier death

what is the most common chronic disorder

arthritis, followed by hypertension

what is the leading cause of death in all 3 late adulthood age groups in the US

cardiovascular disease, 65-74 year olds, 75-84 year olds, and 85+

arthritis

inflammation of the joints, pain, stiffness, movement problems

osteoporosis

an extensive loss of bone tissue, women especially vulnerable, leading cause of broken bones in women