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Introduction

• Welcome to week two lecture two in the Psychology of Aging.

• Topic: Biopsychosocial changes in aging, focusing on neurobiological and physical changes across the adult lifespan.

• Acknowledgment of traditional owners of Australia and their culture.

Aging Population

• significant demographic shift in Australia:

  • ~16% of the population (around 3.9 million people) are 65 years or older (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

  • increased need for assistance in older populations:

    • 4 times greater cognitive/emotional assistance need for those 85+ compared to 65-84

Importance of Studying Psychology of Aging

• understanding developmental changes in longer life spans is essential

• aging is dynamic; the trajectory of development is expanding as lifespans increase

• aim to enhance positive experiences of aging and optimize interventions

Perceptions of Aging — What Even is Old?

• recognizing varied cultural perspectives on aging

• the perception of ageing has changed over time — some people don’t know who steve irwin is?!

• stages of adult life — shift in what is age is

  • early adulthood: 18-30

  • middle adulthood: 40-mid 60

  • older adulthood: mid 60+

    • young old: 65-74

    • old-old: 75-84

    • oldest old: 85+

Jared Diamond's TED Talk

• discusses societal perspectives on aging, contrasting traditional and modern societies

  • traditional societies often honor elderly individuals and keep them within families

  • variations in treatment of elderly across different societies

  • discusses potential usefulness of elderly and the wisdom they can offer

Cultural Factors in Aging

• consider how are physical changes associated with ageing viewed across different cultures

• eastern cultures often hold older adults in higher regard than western cultures — surrounds the concept of collectivism

  • contradictory research found varied perspectives and cultural attitudes towards aging

Neurobiological Changes Across the Adult Lifespan

• brain development in early adulthood

  • “your frontal lobe finishes developing at 25” — tierney & nelson 2009, maturation of the prefrontal cortex is accomplished in early adulthood

    • increased myelination of axons improves neural impulse speed

    • development of the prefrontal cortex helps accomplish executive functions that tie in with decision making and planning

• aging effects on the brain:

  • as we get older the higher the risk of neurodegenerative diseases

    • cerebral atrophy (loss of neurons and connections), widening of sulci, increased ventricular size—affecting cognitive functions

  • brain volume decreases about 5% per decade after age 40, with accelerated decline post-70.

    • decline of brain regions don’t do it at the same time

  • specific areas like the frontal lobe and hippocampus shrink more than other areas of the brain

  • occipital & parietal lobes — no significant age-related volume change

• neurotransmitter changes:

  • decrease in neurotransmitter synthesis due to reduced metabolic activity in enzymes that affect mood, sleep, and cognitive functions.

  • key neurotransmitters affected:

    • decrease in acetylcholine leads to memory decline

    • dopamine — regulate synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis

      • decrease leads to cognitive and motor decline—parkinson’s disease

    • norepinephrine — regulate synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis

      • decrease leads to alertness and sleep pattern changes

    • serotonin

      • serotonin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels decrease with ageing—we have a reduced ability to learn as we age

      • decrease leads to mood changes

• acceleration of ageing and neurodegenerative diseases are linked to reactive oxygen species

  • leads to damages to the mitochondria — less energy production

• changes to the cerebrovascular system results in decreased blood flow to the brain

• morphological changes in neurons (dendrites & axons) — linked to cognitive decline and behavioural change

  • dendrites shorten in length + synapses reduce = speed of neuronal transmission decreases

Physical Health Changes With Aging

• common physical changes include:

  • decline in eyesight and skin elasticity; wrinkles and gray hair appear — collagen production

  • reduction in physical activity — and fine motor skills

  • reduction in bone mass and muscle mass; increased body fat

  • higher susceptibility to infections and diseases (diabetes, heart disease, arthritis)

• activity Levels:

  • physical activity typically declines, influenced by self-perception and societal stereotypes

• vicious cycle of health:

  • decrease in physical health leads to less physical activity, further exacerbating health issues

  • diseases and conditions related to decline in physical health

    • diabetes

    • cardiovascular disease

    • hypertension

    • arthritis

    • osteoporosis

Increased Incidence of Falls

• falls are significant risks, particularly for those 65+, accounted for:

  • 42% of injury hospitalizations

  • 40% of injury deaths

• cognitive impairment increases the risk of falling

• relationship between self-efficacy and self-esteem highlight that an individual’s perception of falling translates onto their functional ability and outcomes

  • lower fear = better functional outcomes (more likely physically fit)

Impact on Health Systems

• increased aging population leads to:

  • higher demand for healthcare services and costs

  • understanding biopsychosocial changes is necessary for optimizing aging and developing interventions