human growth module 9

middle adulthood

what age is middle adulthood

40-64

when do most notice sensory changes within middle adulthood

in 40s

describe presbyopia

farsightedness

inability to focus the lens on close projects

most adults are presbyopic by

age 50

the ability to see in dim light

declines

color discrimination becomes

limited

night vision is

reduced

most adults notice changes in hearing around

50 y/o

describe presbycusis

initially affects high-pitched sounds but will extend to all sound frequencies

presbycusis is due to these 2 things

reduced sensitivity to speech sounds in auditory cortex

death of cells in the cochlea

contextual factors in age-related hearing loss

age

genetics

noise exposure

• workplace

• concerts/music

gender

there is a more rapid decline in which gender

male

compensation for hearing loss

reducing background noise

paying attention to nonverbal cues

use of hearing aids

changes in skin

loss of elasticity and wrinkling

changes in skin first become noticeable in

late 30s

what are “age spots”

harmless, flat brown patches are caused by prolonged UV light exposure, which increases melanin production in the skin, particularly on the face, hands, and arms

factors associated with age-related changes in skin

gender

time outdoors/exposure to the sun

smoking

decline in muscle mass and strength accelerates in

the 40s

by age 60 about what percentages of max strength is lost

10-15%

decline in loss of endurance is slower than

strength

muscle mass tends to be replaced by

fat

metabolic rate changes in body comp

slows

a healthy diet and exercise can prevent

muscle loss and weight gain

skeletal changes within bone density peaks in the

mid to late 30s

bone loss increases in the

50s ; especially within women

bones become

thinner, more porous and more brittle

loss of bone in spinal column leads to

collapse of discs → loss of height

describe osteoporosis

a disorder entailing severe bone loss that leads to brittle and easily fractured bones

about ___ of U.S adults are affected by osteoporosis or low bone mass

half

risk factors for osteoporosis

gender

heredity

lifestyle

decline in what is related to osteoporosis

estrogen

how many genes contribute to osteoporosis

at least 15

lifestyle choices that lead to osteoporosis

sedentary lifestyle

calcium deficiency

cigarette smoking

heavy alcohol consumption

how to prevent osteoporosis

consume a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

engage in regular exercise from childhood through adulthood

avoid smoking and heavy drinking

describe menopause

the cessation of ovulation and menstruation

average age for menopause

~50 ; range 42-58

timing of menopause is influenced by

heredity

smoking

childbirth

socioeconomic status

a woman is said to have reached menopause how many years after her last period

one

early menopause is linked to

health risks

describe perimenopause

the transition to menopause, extending from 3 years before and after menopause

during perimenopause there is a decline in

production of hormones

symptoms of perimenopause

shorter menstrual cycle

erratic periods

ovulation becomes less predictable

hot flashes

reproductive changes in men

decreased testosterone production and sperm production

men decline in fertility around

~40s ; still able to produce sperm

the rate of which illness increases

chronic illness

leading cause of death for middle adults

cancer

cardiovascular disease

COVID19 (2020)

cancer accounts for what fraction of deaths for middle adults

1/3

what percentage of adults between the ages 45-65 will develop cancer

15%

pathophysiology of cancer

cellular mutation form abnormal cells

control of normal cell growth is disrupted

reproduce rapidly

cell mutations may prevent cells from repairing

DNA errors

risk factors for cancer

genetics

male gender

environment

environmental risks for cancer

heavy alcohol use

overweight

use of oral contraceptives

exposure to toxins

low socioeconomic status

cardiovascular disease is responsible for what percentage of deaths

~25%

who is more more likely to be diagnosed with CVD

men

who is more likely to die from CVD

women

markers for CVD

high blood pressure

high blood cholesterol

plaque buildup in the arteries

irregular heartbeat

heart attack

risk factors flor CVD

heredity

age

diet

smoking

hypertension

by 2030 what percent of the U.S population will have some form of CVD

40.5%

Heart disease preventions

dont smoke or use tobacco

reduce blood cholesterol levels

control high blood pressure

exercise regularly

follow a heart-healthy diet

achieve and maintain a healthy weight

manage stress and anger

middle adulthood is known as

sandwich generation

describe sandwich generation

caring for children and elderly parents

more stress =

greater risk for illnesses

describe crystallized intelligence

the accumulation of facts and information

describe fluid intelligence

a person’s underlying capacity to make connections among ideas and draw inferences

fluid intelligence permits what

flexible, creative, and quick thought

what influences fluid intelligence

information processing abilities

crystalized intelligence remains ___ and even ___ into middle adulthood

stable and increases

fluid intelligence decreases beginning ; suggesting that cognitive processing slows with age

in the 20s

reasons for changes in crystalized and fluid intelligence

biological slowing of the central nervous system

reduction in interconnectivity

decline in frontal lobe functioning

loss of white matter

protective factors of crystalized and fluid intelligence

memory tasks

higher education

have intellectually challenging occupations

mentally stimulating leisure activities

information processing skills

processing speed

attention

memory

reduced processing speed

greatest age-related change

predicts age-related declines in memory and problem-solving tasks

reduced attention

becomes more difficult to divide attention

may appear easily distractible

reduced memory

significant declines in working memory

compensation for cognitive decline

expertise

expertise is defined as

extensive, highly organized, and integrated knowledge base that can be used to support a high level of performance

expertise peaks in

middle adulthood

expertise leads to

highly efficient and effective approaches to problem solving

many midlife adults enroll in

higher education

reasons for enrolling in higher education include

change careers

improve career opportunities

increase income

gain personal enrichment

life transitions (divorce, unemployment, widowhood, etc.)

>60% of adult learners are

female

adult learners approach learning differently than

traditional students and have unique needs

adult learners have what unique needs

work experience

problem-oriented

multiple demands

greater intrinsic motivation for obtaining a college education

often report anxiety/self-consciousness

erikson’s psychosocial stage for middle adulthood

generativity vs stagnation

describe generativity

a concern and sense of responsibility for future generations and society

generativity is often expressed through

child-rearing, workplace productivity

generativity fulfills what adult needs

to make contributions that will last beyond their lifetime

describe stagnation

self absorption prevents individuals from contributing to the welfare of others

describe levinson’s seasons of life

adults progress through a set of stages called seasons of life

transition to early adulthood age

17 to 22

describe transition to early adulthood

people construct a life structure by creating a dream

early adulthood age

22 to 28

describe early adulthood

young adults work to realize their dreams and construct the resulting life structures

age 30 transition age

28 to 33

describe age 30 transition

adults reconsider their life structure

settling down age

later 30s to 40s

describe settling down

focus on family and career

transition to middle adulthood age

40 to 45

describe transition to middle adulthood

adults reexamine their dream and evaluate their success in achieving it

Process is often tumultuous and may have identity crisis due to awareness of half of life spent

middle adulthood age

45-60