Psych of Aging- Chapter 4

Last in, first out

The areas of the brain that develop later than others are the first to be affected by advanced age

Neuroplasticity

The ability of the brain to form and recognize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury

Use it or lose it

If the task or ability isn't used or performed, it will get lost. Neural circuits not actively engaged will degrade over time

Use it and improve it

Use the function and do the task to be able to complete the function or task. It will improve as long as the pt is using it

Specificity

Targeting efforts in 1 area might help reach the target goal in mind

Repetition

Encouraging plasticity calls for repeating tasks

Intensity

How much and how hard a pt works depends on the physical abilities of the pt

Time

Neuroplasticity occurs quicker if therapies begin right away

Salience

How important the goal is to the pt involved. If the pt has given up motivation is hard.

Age

Younger brains can be more plastic and moldable

Transference

Activities in therapy can transfer to the real world. Helping a pt live an independent life

Interference

If a pt comes in later for neurological therapies, they might have already adopted some behaviors that are compensatory and therefore the pt starts relying on those behaviors to complete tasks

Whole brain volume starts to decrease after age

30

What brain area shows the greatest rates of atrophy with the rate increasing with advanced age?

Frontal lobes

What brain area shows the second largest reduction in size with age?

hippocampus

What bodily issue increases the rate of atrophy in the hippocampus and frontal lobes?

Hypertension

What 3 brain areas change less with age?

Parietal lobe, occipital lobe, & corpus callosum

What are 2 examples of use it or lose it?

Speech therapy & g-tube

What is an example of use it and improve it?

stroke pt using weak side of body

What is an example of specificity?

Swallowing exercises