PBSI 225 Exam 3: Late Adulthood

cellular clock theory

a theory of aging that suggests that biological aging is due to the fact that normal cells cannot divide indefinitely

sarcopenia

age-related loss of muscle mass & strength continues

cataracts

a clouding of the lens of the eye, resulting in blurred, foggy vision and can lead to blindness

macular degeneration

a substantial loss of cells in the center area of the retina (the macula), causing blurring and eventual loss of central vision

cognitive reserve

the ability to make flexible and efficient use of available brain resources that permits cognitive efficiency, flexibility, and adaptability; it is cultivated throughout life from experience and environmental factors

dementia

A progressive deterioration in mental abilities due to changes in the brain that influence higher cortical functions such as thinking, memory, comprehension, and emotional control and are reflected in impaired thought and behavior, interfering with the older adult's ability to engage in everyday activities

Alzheimer's disease

neurodegenerative disorder that progresses from mild to moderate cognitive decline- includes personality and behavior changes, motor problems, severe dementia, and death

young-old

Older adults aged 65 to 74, who tend to be active, healthy, and financially and physically independent

old-old

Adults aged 75 to 84, who typically live independently but often experience some physical and mental impairment

oldest-old

Adults aged 85 and older, who are most likely to depend on others for physical and social support to complete daily tasks

proactive interference

A phenomenon that occurs when information that has previously been remembered interferes with memory for new information

retroactive interference

occurs when new information interferes with remembering previously learned information (e.g., learning new phone number & thus having difficulty remembering old phone number)

selective attention

ability to focus on one stimuli and tune out others (declines in late adulthood)

divided attention

ability to focus on more than one task at a time (declines in late adulthood)

positivity effect

age-related shift in attentional preferences from negative information (early adulthood) to positive information (late adulthood)

semantic memory

memory for factual material (does not decline with age)

episodic memory

memory for experiences, tends to deteriorate with age

Autobiographical memory

memory of personal experiences from the past

Reminiscence bump

Older adults are more likely to recall experiences early in life, between ages 10 and 30 than later in life

reminiscence

vocal or silent recall of events in a person's life

activity theory

Social activity and social interactions improve well-being in late adulthood

internal continuity

the connection of new experiences to those remembered from the past

external continuity

the continuation of people and environments that are familiar

socioemotional selectivity theory

states that adults become more selective about their social networks as they grow older

Residential communities

homes are designed to meet physical and social needs, such as grab bars, single-level homes, and community complexes encourage socializing with other older adults

nursing homes

facility that provides daily 24-hour care and support

life review

Reflecting on past experiences and contemplating the meaning of those experiences and their role in shaping one's life

Your 80 year old grandfather is telling a story about his experiences in college. He describes in great detail how he and his friends played a prank on the whole campus when he was in his senior year. Assuming your grandfather was a traditional student, his remembering this period of time is known as:

reminiscence bump

Stacey is 75 years old. She lives with her daughter, helping take care of her grandchild. However, she sometimes has difficulty walking, has arthritis, and sometimes forgets where she left the keys. What category of older adult is Stacey?

Old-Old

If you met with your 85 year old grandmother and told her about two things:

1. Your boyfriend just lost his job.

2. You got an award at your job.

Which do you expect her to be more likely to remember when you meet again a month later? Why?

2 because of the positivity effect

Daniel is asked to share his number with his new employer, but he ends up giving his old phone number, since he just recently changed phones, and is used to having memorized his old number. This is an example of:

proactive interference

Mx Z wants to stay healthy, so they joined a group of baby boomers who walk half-marathons to raise awareness for breast cancer. What theory is this?

activity theory

Mrs. C is now retired. Since she is retired, she's not that interested in going out. Preferring to stay at home and think about her life. What theory is this?

disengagement theory

Mr. J, 88, likes to walk the same path he has always walked for his morning walks, starting from when he first took his son to school. What theory is this?

continuity theory

Mrs. Y is talking with her daughter and granddaughter. She describes how when she was a little girl she first learned the importance of telling the truth after she lied and her mother trusted her and got injured. From then on she has always aimed to be truthful. Her daughter agrees that Mrs. Y has always been true to her word with her. This conversation is an example of:

Life review

Mr. Pain is reflecting back on his life. He lives alone, and is known as a grumpy and unhelpful man in the neighborhood. He can be heard complaining about how much his life has been one disappointment after another. This is an example of:

Despair (rather than Ego integrity)

Mr. T just retired. He tells everyone he meets that he can't believe that he didn't retire sooner. He enjoys new hobbies and sleeps in late every day. Mr. T is experiencing what phase of the retirement process?

honeymoon phase

Lindsay is now 86. She says she no longer needs too many friends, content to sticking to her 3 closest, oldest, and dearest friends. She considers these to be more important and rewarding to her. She argues not everyone is worth her time. Which theory would explain her behavior?

socioemotional selectivity theory

As people age, cells become less capable of replacing old damaged cells due to the shortening of _______, which are located at the ends of chromosomes

What theory best explains this?

telomeres; cellular clock theory

true or false: older adults tend to have a decline in all four senses

true

78 y/o Lucia is having trouble thinking, recalling memories, and comprehending conversations. Considering her age, what condition is most likely affecting Lucia?

dementia

Bruno, an 80 y/o man , is trying to read a book but can't focus with his grandchildren playing loudly in the background. What cognitive decline is Bruno most likely experiencing?

decline in selective attention

Type of brain plasticity that is cultivated throughout life from experience and environmental factors

cognitive reserve

true or false: generally, older adults feel as old as their biological age

false

According to _____________ we see developmental differences in whether people prioritize the pursuit of knowledge or emotional satisfaction

socioemotional selectivity theory

____________ refers to wanting to grow old in one's own home

age in place

According to __________ older adults want to be engaged in society, like engaging in civic activity

activity theory

According to continuity theory, Ryan wanting to live in his own home is an example of _____________

external continuity