Development Across the Lifespan, Chapter 17

What are the age categories defined in late adulthood?

The young old (65 to 74 years), the old old (75 to 84 years), and the oldest old (85 years and older).

What is the projected percentage of the population over 65 by the year 2060 in the United States?

Almost 25 percent.

What demographic trend is observed in the oldest old population?

The size of the oldest old group (85 or older) has nearly doubled in the last 20 years.

What is ageism?

Prejudice and discrimination directed at older people.

What is primary aging?

Aging that involves universal and irreversible changes due to genetic programming.

What is secondary aging?

Changes in physical and cognitive functioning due to illness, health habits, and individual differences, not due to increased age.

What are some outward signs of aging?

Hair loss, wrinkling of the skin, and shrinking of height.

What condition makes women more susceptible to bone fragility in late adulthood?

Osteoporosis.

How much can people shrink in height as they age?

As much as 4 inches.

What happens to the brain as people age?

The brain becomes smaller and lighter, with reduced blood flow and a decline in the number of neurons in some areas.

How does aging affect heart function?

A 75-year-old's heart pumps less than three-quarters of the blood it pumped during early adulthood.

What changes occur in the respiratory system with aging?

The efficiency of the respiratory system declines.

What effect does aging have on the digestive system?

It produces less digestive juice and is less efficient, leading to more constipation.

What is the peripheral slowing hypothesis?

The theory that overall processing speed declines in the peripheral nervous system.

What is the generalized slowing hypothesis?

The theory that processing in all parts of the nervous system, including the brain, is less efficient.

How does aging affect reaction time?

Older adults experience a significant slowing of reaction time.

What sensory declines are associated with old age?

Declines in vision, hearing, taste, and smell.

What changes occur in vision as people age?

The lens becomes less transparent, pupils shrink, and distant objects become less acute.

How does aging affect driving at night?

It becomes more challenging due to decreased vision and longer adjustment times to light changes.

What is the impact of physical fitness on mental performance in older adults?

Physical fitness is related to better performance on mental tests and may prevent loss of brain tissue.

What lifestyle factors can influence the aging process?

Lifestyle factors can slow the changes associated with aging.

How does perception of time change with age?

Perception of time seems to increase with age.

What are cataracts?

Cloudy or opaque areas of the lens of the eye that interfere with passing light.

How can cataracts be treated?

Cataracts can be surgically removed and replaced with intraocular lens implants.

What causes glaucoma?

Increased pressure in the fluid of the eye due to improper drainage or excessive fluid production.

How can glaucoma be managed?

Glaucoma can be corrected with drugs or surgery, but it must be detected early.

What is macular degeneration?

The most common cause of blindness in people over 60, affecting the macula, which is crucial for visual perception.

How can the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) be reduced?

By consuming a diet rich in antioxidant vitamins C, E, and A.

What percentage of adults between 65 and 74 experience hearing loss?

25 percent.

What percentage of adults over 75 have hearing loss?

75 percent.

What frequencies are most difficult for older adults to hear?

High frequencies.

What percentage of the time would hearing aids be helpful for those with hearing loss?

75 percent.

What percentage of people who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them?

30 percent.

How does hearing loss affect social interactions in older adults?

It may cause some individuals to withdraw from society due to feelings of loneliness.

How can hearing loss impact cognitive function in older adults?

It may hasten cognitive declines as considerable mental resources are used to understand speech.

How do taste and smell change with age?

Both senses become less discriminating due to a decline in taste buds and shrinking olfactory bulbs.

What nutritional issues can arise from decreased taste and smell in older adults?

Older adults may eat less, leading to poor nutrition, and may oversalt food, increasing the risk of hypertension.

What are the leading causes of death in older adults?

Heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

What percentage of older adults have at least one chronic condition?

Most older people.

What is arthritis?

An inflammation of one or more joints, common in about half of older adults.

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure, affecting approximately one-third of older people.

What percentage of those over 65 show symptoms of psychological disorders?

Fifteen to 25 percent.

What are common symptoms of depression in older adults?

Intense sadness, pessimism, and hopelessness, often due to cumulative life losses and declining health.

What is dementia?

A broad category of mental disorders characterized by serious memory loss and declines in other mental functions.

What is the most common form of dementia?

Alzheimer disease.

What are some characteristics of Alzheimer disease?

Progressive memory loss, confusion, gradual symptom appearance, and brain deterioration.

What factors may increase susceptibility to Alzheimer disease?

Diet, high blood pressure, viruses, immune system dysfunctions, hormone imbalances, and low cognitive ability.

Is there a cure for Alzheimer disease?

No, there is currently no cure.

What are two promising drug treatments for cognitive decline in older adults?

Aricept and Exelon, which are forms of acetylcholine.

What factors influence susceptibility to illness in late adulthood?

Genetic predisposition, lifestyle, economic well-being, and psychological factors.

What are some actions older adults can take to enhance their well-being?

Eating a proper diet, exercising, and avoiding health threats like smoking.

What financial challenges do many older individuals face regarding health care?

Grave financial burdens in obtaining affordable health care, leading to fewer check-ups and inadequate care.

How often do men and women over age 70 typically have sex with their spouses?

An average of once a week.

What are some physical changes in men and women regarding sexual function as they age?

Men take longer to get an erection; women's vaginas become thin and inelastic, producing less lubrication.

What do genetic programming theories of aging propose?

The body's DNA genetic code contains a built-in time limit for cell reproduction.

What is one theory related to genetic programming and aging?

The existence of a 'death gene' that directs the body to deteriorate and die.

What happens to telomeres as human cells divide?

Telomeres grow shorter.

What do wear-and-tear theories of aging suggest?

The mechanical functions of the body wear out with age due to energy byproducts.

What are free radicals?

Electrically charged atoms produced in cells that may negatively affect other cells.

What is the average life expectancy in 1776?

35 years.

What was the average life expectancy in 1900?

47 years.

What is the life expectancy for a person born in 1980?

74 years.

What is the maximum human life span believed to be?

Around 120 years.

What are some methods researchers are exploring to postpone aging?

Telomere therapy, unlocking longevity genes (sirtuins), reducing free radicals, restricting calories, and replacing worn-out organs.

What misconception exists about intelligence in older people?

The belief that older people become less cognitively adept.

What cognitive skills are likely to remain strong in older adults?

Intellectual ability, memory, and problem-solving skills.

In what situations can cognitive skills in older adults actually improve?

Certain situations that may stimulate cognitive function.

What is cross-sectional research limited by?

It does not take into account cohort effects, which are influences attributable to growing up in a particular era.

What are longitudinal studies subject to?

They are subject to practice effects and sample attribution.

What sequential methods did K. W. Schaie use in his research on intelligence?

He combined cross-sectional and longitudinal methods, including 500 subjects aged 20 to 70 tested every seven years.

What was the total number of subjects in Schaie's research on intelligence?

5,000 subjects were included after adding more participants.

What did Schaie's research reveal about age-related changes in intellectual abilities?

There is no uniform pattern; some abilities decline while others remain steady or increase.

At what age does fluid intelligence typically begin to decline?

Fluid intelligence begins to decline starting at age 25.

What is the trend in crystallized intelligence as people age?

Crystallized intelligence tends to stay steady or increase with age.

What percentage of individuals show cognitive declines in all abilities by age 67?

For some individuals, cognitive declines occur by age 67, but these declines are minimal until age 80.

What factors are associated with lesser declines in intellectual abilities in older adults?

Good health, high socioeconomic status (SES), intellectually stimulating environments, flexible personalities, and supportive spouses.

What does the concept of plasticity in late adulthood suggest?

It suggests that changes in intellectual abilities are not fixed and can be modified through engagement and learning.

What type of memory losses primarily occur in older adults?

Episodic memory losses, which relate to specific life experiences.

Which types of memory are largely unaffected by age?

Semantic memories (general knowledge and facts) and implicit memories (unconscious memories) are largely unaffected.

How does short-term memory change with age?

Short-term memory declines gradually until age 70, when the decline becomes more pronounced.

What is the Pollyanna principle in relation to autobiographical memory?

It states that pleasant memories are more likely to be recalled than unpleasant memories.

What periods of life do older adults tend to remember best?

70-year-olds recall their 20s and 30s best, while 50-year-olds recall their teenage years and 20s best.

What are some environmental factors that affect memory changes in old age?

Drugs, retirement, and lower motivation.

What are some information processing deficits that occur with age?

Inability to inhibit irrelevant information, slower processing speed, difficulty paying attention, and less efficient retrieval methods.

What biological factors contribute to memory changes in older adults?

Brain and body deterioration, especially in the frontal lobes.

How can continuing education in old age affect cognitive skills?

It can improve cognitive skills.

What is a trend regarding technology use among people aged 65 and older?

They are less likely to use technology compared to younger individuals.

What might happen as technology becomes more widespread in society?

The generational divide in technology use may close.