UNIT_5_LATE_ADULTHOOD_Student_1__1
CNUR 106 UNIT 5: LATE ADULTHOOD
Date: February 2025
Objectives
Learner will be able to:
Describe physical, cognitive, & social development in late adulthood.
Integrate principles of growth and development into the education process.
Critical Learning Elements
Focus areas:
Physical Development
Cognitive Development
Patterns of Work
Social Development
Late Adulthood Developmental Stage
Key Areas:
Physical
Cognitive
Psychosocial
Growing in Late Adulthood
Overview of significant changes and development during this stage.
Physical Development
Primary Aging
Inevitable changes associated with aging include:
Skin: becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic.
Height: may decrease (over an inch shorter than during early adulthood).
Muscle Loss: particularly noticeable in men.
Vision: majority over 65 experience some difficulty; most correctable with lenses.
Hearing: almost half of those over 85 have some hearing loss and may experience 'elderspeak'.
Secondary Aging
Changes caused by illnesses or diseases, such as:
Arthritis (more prevalent in women)
Heart Disease (hypertension and stroke)
Diabetes (Type 2, leading to a 10-year shorter lifespan)
Cancer (incidence increases with age)
Osteoporosis (more common in women)
Parkinson’s Disease (more common in men)
Primary vs Secondary Aging
Primary Aging
Characteristics:
Can be compensated for through:
Exercise
Corrective lenses
Proper nutrition
Hearing aids.
Understanding and reducing stereotypes about aging promotes respect and recognition of strengths.
Secondary Aging
Characteristics:
Chronic illnesses can:
Reduce independence
Impact quality of life
Affect family and caregivers
Create financial burdens.
Primary aging is irreversible due to genetics.
Secondary aging can often be reversed through health habits and other individual differences.
Life Expectancy Trends
Statistics (Canada):
Life expectancy at birth fell from 81.6 years (2021) to 81.3 years (2022).
Major causes of death (2022): cancer and heart disease, followed by COVID-19, and stroke.
Canadian Trends
Population of seniors expected to rise:
Significant growth until 2031 with baby boomers reaching 65.
Population of seniors predicted to be between 9.9 and 10.9 million by 2036.
As of 2021, 2.3% of the population was over 85; estimated to be 2.5 million by 2046.
More female centenarians than male (4:1).
Health Care Trends
Seniors often face:
At least one chronic condition.
Higher hospitalization rates than any other age group.
Unique needs leading to increased demand for health and home care services.
Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood
Long-Term Memory:
Information stored over extended periods; retrieval depends on learning efficiency.
Older adults recall information from youth more vividly than middle adulthood.
Attention in Late Adulthood
Age-related declines in divided and switching attention and slower processing time.
Sustained attention intact; deficits mainly affect tasks requiring flexible control of attention.
Impacts daily functioning, like driving; simulations may help mitigate these effects.
Intelligence in Late Adulthood
Types:
Fluid Intelligence: declines with age affecting reasoning and processing speed.
Crystallized Intelligence: knowledge gained over a lifetime increases with experience.
Psychological Theorists
Key theorists:
Jean Piaget (Cognitive Development)
Erik Erikson (Psychosocial Development)
Piaget's Theory
Formal Operations Stage
Fourth stage (ages 11 through adulthood):
Ability to deal with abstract ideas and hypothetical situations.
Critique: development of postformal thought emphasizing experience in problem-solving.
Erikson's 8 Stages
Late Adulthood: Integrity vs. Despair
Integrity: Satisfaction and peace for life’s opportunities, leading to a sense of fulfillment.
Despair: Feelings of unproductive and dissatisfaction leading to depression.
Patterns of Work and Relationships in Late Adulthood
Productivity in Work
Older adults contribute significantly in the workplace; many retire around age 65.
Seamless transitions are smoother with planned retirements; abrupt changes create challenges.
Gender Differences Post-Retirement
Men may experience more identity loss; women face financial vulnerabilities.
Importance of financial planning for women to avoid outliving resources.
Relationships & Grandparenting
Grandparenting typically begins in midlife, lasting longer due to life expectancy.
Increased marital satisfaction reported among older adults; remarrying often linked to greater happiness.
Widowhood
Women over 85 have higher rates of widowhood compared to men.
The loss is especially disruptive for men, who may have expected to die first.
Loneliness in Late Adulthood
Loneliness arises from insufficient social contact; higher risk of severe mental health issues.
Older white men particularly vulnerable to loneliness-induced suicide.
Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Older Adults
Canada consults with older adults identifying as Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or intersex.
Identifying challenges and needs for aging in place, healthcare etc.
Teaching Strategies for Older Adults
Importance of Adaptation
Education needs to adapt to physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes in older adults.
Overcoming ageism by focusing on positive lifestyles rather than impairments.
Teaching Strategies
Cognitive Changes:
Slow pace, connect to prior knowledge, minimize distractions.
Visual Changes:
Use large fonts, adequate lighting, and reminders about corrective eyewear.
Auditory Changes:
Speak clearly, face the person while speaking, eliminate background noise.
Physiological Changes:
Consider limited stamina and cognitive functioning, provide breaks, ensure access to necessary facilities.
Conclusion
The importance of respecting and valuing the learning potential of older adults.
Emphasizing the necessity of supportive strategies to enhance their learning experiences.