Adult Development Exam 1

What is gerontology?

The study of aging processes and individuals across the life course.

What is the study of physical, mental, and social changes in people as they age?

Gerontology

What is the investigation of changes in society resulting from our aging population?

Gerontology

Why is Gerontology multidisciplinary?

It combines Medicine, Nursing, Biology, Psychology, Policy, Social Work

Instead of using terms such as ‘seniors’, ‘elderly’ use terms such as…

older adults, older people

Also, using words such as “we” and “us” can emphasize that aging

applies to everyone

A 79-year-old develops memory problems. A provider immediately assumes the symptoms are caused by aging without investigating other causes. What problem does this illustrate?

ageism in health care

What did Kris Kristofferson actually have?

Lyme disease

Older adults can be ________ when symptoms are automatically blamed on age.

misdiagnosed

What is ageism?

Stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination towards others or oneself based on age.

What are the two things ageism is rooted in?

Myths and beliefs people take for granted and Intergenerational relations

What does SOC stand for?

Select, Optimize, Compensate

What does the SOC theory directly show?

how people adapt to changes while maintaining important goals.

What does (S)OC stand for?

Selective: Choosing the activities/goals that are most important

What does S(O)C stand for?

Optimize: Using abillities/resources to do activities as well as possible

What does SO(C) stand for?

Compensate, Finding another method when an ability becomes more difficult.

Suppose an older pianist can no longer play every piece as easily. What would an S component be to assist them?

Choosing fewer pieces to perform

Suppose an older pianist can no longer play every piece as easily. What would an O (optimize) component be to assist them?

Practices those pieces more

Suppose an older pianist can no longer play every piece as easily. What would a C (Compensate) component be to assist them?

Changes technique or uses another strategy to continue performing

By 2030, ___ in 5 Americans will be 65 or older

1

As the proportion of older adults grows…

financial systems, healthcare, workers will have higher tax burdens

By 2044, US will be majority _______

minority

By 2030, __% of individuals will have a high school diploma

85

By 2030, __% of individuals will have a high school diploma

75

What are the four forces of development that make up Biopsychosocial Framework…

Biological, Psychological, Sociocultural and Life-cycle

What is chronological age?

Amount of time that has passed from birth to any given date

What is perceived age?

Age you think of yourself as and perception of how an individual looks

What is biological age?

Assessed by measuring functioning of various vitals/organ systems

What are the processes of aging?

Primary Aging, Secondary Aging, Tertiary Aging

What are rapid losses that occur shortly before death

Tertiary Aging

Developmental changes that are related
to disease, lifestyle, and other
environmentally induced changes that
are not inevitable

Secondary aging

What is normal, disease-free development
during adulthood?

Primary Aging

Aging and development involve an interaction between…

Nature vs Nurture