Chapter 8: The Middle Aged Person Basic Assessment and Health Promotion

middle age

approximately 40- 65 years old

the baby boomer generation

- largest population in the U.S.

- most will deny aging effects

- high in confidence

- contemplate a second career

how are the middle- aged perceived in the U.S.

they will earn most of the money, pay a major portion of the bills and most of the taxes, and make many of the decisions

generational differences

a difference in values and attitudes between 1 generation and another and can lead to a lack of understanding

- every 20 years signifies a generational gap

ex. parents versus kids beliefs differ

the sandwich generation

middle age adults simultaneously caring for children who still require a significant amount of nurturing and parents who are in need of care

- stress, financial hardship

grandparent role: involved

actively engaged in grand parenting and have influence over the grandchild's life

ex. parents have a full time job, death of parents, incarcerated

grandparent role: companionate

supportive, buddies

ex. show up at events, babysit, go on vacation, stay over

grandparent role: remote

detached and aloof, rarely visits

ex. complain about child's behavior, annoyed, not a close relationship

illness & disability in middle adulthood

cancer and cardiovascular disease are the leading cause of death in the U.S.

- lung cancer (M&W due to smoking)

- breast cancer (malignancy for W)

- prostate cancer (leading for M)

- men more vulnerable to cancer

- heredity, aging, and environmental all contribute to cancer

hormonal changes in females

menopause: cessation of menstruation when the ovaries no longer produce estrogen & progesterone

- 70% minor symptoms of heat flash, weight gain, etc.

- 10% hormone replacement therapy

- 20% no symptoms

hormonal changes in males

decreased testosterone

physical changes: skin

- decreased elasticity

- drier skin

- thinner

physical changes: hair

- decrease in melanin cells of hair follicles (gray)

- decrease in testosterone (hair loss in men)

- both parents contribute to hair loss in men

physical changes: musculoskeletal

gradual loss of lean body mass

osteoporosis

age related bone loss

- treatment: calcium, vitamin D, weight bearing exercises, medication

physical changes: neurological

vision: need more light to see

presbyopia: need for reading glasses

hearing -> prespycusis: loss of hearing to hi- pitched sound

sleep

7-8 hours of sleep

- deep sleep is shorter (stage 3) r/t thyroid disorders, menopause, BP meds

exercise

can enhance the quality of life

- 30 mins, 5x per week

- bike, swim, walk

- decreases depression, increases cognitive function

wellness & health promotion: immunizations

- yearly flu vaccine

- shingles vaccine (shingrix)

wellness & health promotion: female health issues

hormone replacement therapy

wellness & health promotion: male health issues

- increased stress

- less likely to seek care

wellness & health promotion: illness prevention

- recommended screenings

- leading cause of death in middle adulthood is heart disease and cancer

learning

- enhanced by interest

- mental ability can increase

crystallized intelligence

- refers to the knowledge & skills that are accumulated over time

- tends to increase with age

fluid intelligence

- refers to the ability to reason quickly

- this type of intelligence tends to decline with age

body image

may begin to feel older

midlife crisis

major turning point in life

- has not resolved identity crisis in adolescence

- most often occurs with men

divorce in midlife

- rate for U.S. 50 to 65 year olds has doubled over the past 20 years

- mid lifers adjust more easily than young adults: practical problem solving & effective coping strategies

contribution to feminization of poverty

women who support themselves and/or their family have become the majority of the adult population living in poverty

erikson: generativity

- concern about providing for others

- guide next generation

- good mentors, productive

erikson: stagnation

- excessive concern for self

- does not feel confident or secure

- has little to offer

- unhappy with advancing age