10 Stages in the Life Span

6) PUBERTY or PREADOLESCENCE ten or twelve to thirteen or fourteen years 7) ADOLESCENCE thirteen or fourteen to eighteen years 8) EARLY ADULTHOOD - eighteen to forty years 9) MIDDLE AGE forty to sixty years

10) OLD AGE or SENESCENCE sixty years to death

7 Periods of Development
7) Older adulthood
Young-old Middle-old Old-old

65 yrs to death
65-74 yrs 75-84 yrs 85 yrs to death

Development in 8 Periods of the Life Span

AGE PERIOD MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

Late Adulthood
(65 yrs & over)

Most people are healthy & active, altho health & physical abilities decline somewhat. Slowing of some reaction time affect many aspects of functioning. Most people are mentally alert. Altho intelligence & memory may deteriorate in some areas, most people find ways to compensate. Retirement from work force may create more leisure time but may reduce economic circumstances. People need to cope with losses in many areas ( loss of ones faculties, loss of loved ones) & their own impending death.

Havighurts Developmental Tasks During The Life Span

Old Age:
Adjusting to decreasing physical strength & health Adjusting to retirement & reduced income Adjusting to death of spouse Establishing an explicit affiliation with members of ones age group Establishing a satisfactory living arrangements Adapting to social roles in a flexible way

Old Age
The closing period in the life span Age 60: dividing line bet. middle & old age Current trend: 65 yrs as retirement age Subdivided into: early old age= 60 to 70 yrs elderly advance old age= 70 to death old

Characteristics of Old Age

A Period of Decline Individual Differences in the Effects of Aging Judge by Different Criteria Many Stereotypes of Old People Social Attitudes Toward old Age A Minority-Group Status Aging Requires Role Changes Poor Adjustment is Characteristic of Old Age Desire for Rejuvenation is Widespread

Characteristics of Old Age

Many Stereotypes of Old People
Folklore/tales tend to depict age unfavorably Characterized unfavorably in different forms in mass media young is beautiful, old is ugly Jokes/humor contribute to sterotypes of the elderly

Social Attitudes Toward old Age

Worn out physically & mentally; accident-prone Unproductive & their days of usefulness is over Hard to live with

A Minority-Group Status-

second-class citizen

Characteristics of Old Age

A Period of Decline
Senescence- a time of growing old or of aging Senility- period during old age when more or less complete physical breakdown takes place & when there is mental disorganization Decline due to physical & psychological causes

Individual Differences in the Effects of Aging

Aging affects different people differently

Judge by Different Criteria

Tend to judge age in terms of physical appearance & activities

Problems Unique to Old Age

Physical helplessness dependency Economic insecurity change lifestyle Establishing living conditions Making new friends to replace (dead/disabled/moved) Developing new activities Learning to treat grown children as adults Involvement in activities planned for the elderly Being victimized or taken advantage

Developmental Tasks of Old Age

Adjustment to Physical Changes
Changes in appearance; physiologic changes; sensory changes Common changes in motor abilities

Changes in Mental Abilities

Mental changes: variations

Changes in Interest
Conditions affecting change of interest Conditions responsible for changes in recreational interest

Vocational Adjustments
Conditions limiting employment opportunities

Adjustments to Changes in Family Life

Common Changes in Appearance:

Head Region
Nose elongates Mouth changes shape due to tooth loss or to wearing dentures Eyes seem dull & lusterless, often watery look Double or triple chin develops Cheeks become pendulous, wrinkled & baggy Skin becomes wrinkled & dry; dark spots, warts or moles appear Hair in head thin & turns gray/white; tough, bristly hair appears in nose, ears & eyebrows

Common Changes in Appearance:

Trunk Region
Shoulders stoop & thus seem

smaller Abdomen bulges & droops Hips seem flabbier & broader than they did earlier Waistline broadens, giving the trunk a sac-like appearance Breasts become flabby & droop

Common Changes in Appearance: Limb

Upper arms flabby & heavy; lower arm seems to shrink Legs become flabby & veins prominent Hands become scrawny, veins on back prominent Feet becomes large due to sagging muscles; corns, bunions & callouses Nails of hands & feet become thick, tough & brittle

Neurologic Changes & Their Significance in the Elderly

System Visual Findings Diminished ROM on convergence & upward gaze Small, irregular pupils Diminished reaction to light & near reflex Decreased muscle strength: legs>arms, proximal>distal Atrophy of interossei Short-stepped or broad-based gait with diminished associated movements Diminished vibratory: legs>arms Mildly increased threshold for pain, temperature & light touch Reflexes Absent or diminished ankle jerks Reduction in knee, biceps & triceps reflex Significance Combination of restricted vertical gaze & cervical motion difficulty seeing information posted on walls Hip extensors may no longer be strong enough to lift body from sitting to standing; arm strength used to push up Poor sensory input from feet risk for falls Risk for injury from topical heat modalities Radiculopathies maybe overlooked or misdiagnosed

Motor

Sensory

Common Hazards of Old Age

Physical
Diseases & physical handicaps Malnutrition Dental disorders Sexual deprivation Accidents

Psychological
Acceptance of cultural stereotypes of the elderly Effects of physical changes insecurity & inadequacy Changes in life patterns Tendency to slip mentally Feelings of guilt about idleness; reduced income Social disengagement

Common Hazards of Old Age

Vocational
Prevention from working Retirement

Family
Loneliness Family-life hazards Living arrangements Role changes

Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age

Factors Influencing Adjustments Characteristics of Good Adjustment Characteristics of Poor Adjustment Conditions Contributing to Happiness in Old Age

Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age: Good Characteristics

Strong & varied interests Economic independence Many social contacts with people of all ages Enjoyment of work which is pleasant & useful but not overtaxing Participation in community organization Ability to maintain a comfortable home Ability to enjoy present activities without regretting the past A minimum worry about self & others Enjoyment of day-to-day activities regardless of how repetitious they maybe Avoidance of criticisms of others especially members of young generation

Assessment of Adjustments to Old Age: Poor Characteristics

Little interest in the world of today or individuals role in it Withdrawal into world of fantasy Constant reminiscing Constant worry, encourage by idleness A lack of drive, leading to low productivity in all areas Refusal to take part of activities for elderly bec boring Many social contacts with people of all ages Loneliness due to poor family relationships & lack of interest of contemporaries Involuntary geographic isolation; involuntary residence in an institution or with a grown child Constant complaining & criticizing of anything and everything

Conditions Contributing to Happiness in Old Age

A favorable attitude toward old age developed as a result of earlier pleasurable contacts with elderly people Happy memories of childhood & adulthood Freedom to pursue a desired lifestyle without outside interference A realistic attitude toward & acceptance of the physical & psychological changes of old age Acceptance of self & present living conditions even if fall below expectations opportunity to establish a satisfying socially acceptable pattern of life Acceptance by & respect from the social group Satisfaction with marital status & sex life Reasonably good health without chronic health problems Enjoyment of social activities with relatives & friends A financial situation adequate to meet needs and wants