1. Late Adulthood

2. Age 65 until Death 1900-only 1 out of 30 Americans was over the age 65. 2020-1 out of 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. Life expectancy is about 76 years of age Late Adulthood

3. Skin becomes less elastic thus wrinkles Senses become less sharp Sight and hearing are affected Reflexes and reaction time are slower than younger people. Bones become more brittle thus fractures and breaks can be more common. Immune System is alos less effective. Physical Changes

4. Regular exercise , healthy diet can help make older people feel better about themselves psychologically and physically. Physical Changes

5. Scientists hope to understand the process of aging so they may be able to slow down or reverse some of the negative effects. Theories of aging fall into 2 categories: programmed theories and cellular damage theories. Theories of Aging

6. Aging is the result of genetics People’s biological clock move forward at a predetermined pace. As cells become older they are less able to repair themselves thus being vulnerable to disease. Heredity affects our hormones and some hormones are being studied in the aging process. (melatonin and growth hormone) Immune system is also affected. Programmed theories

7. Cells malfunction as a result of damage not heredity. (trauma, poisons) Environment may affect our cells thus cells are not able to repair themselves. As time passes cells and organs are worn out. Free radicals are unstable molecules in our body. Cross linking-proteins within a cell toughen body tissues thus causing aging. Cellular Damage theories

8. Complex biological process. No single cause but a variety of theories. Aging

9. Some memory loss and intellectual ability. Sharpest decline is in performing tasks rapidly like putting puzzle pieces together. However, older people become more tolerant and thoughtful in their later years allowing them to gain insights from their experiences. Come major cognitve problems are senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease Cognitive changes

10. Major loss of memory May also have speech, concentration problems Senile dementia occurs after the age of 65, mostly occurring after the age of 80. Aging does not cause dementia. The longer a person lives the more time there is for dementia to occur. Dementia

11. Common cause of dementia Is connected with aging but not a normal part of the aging process. Memory loss and confusion People with Alzheimer's become lost, unable to recognize family and eventually unable to care for themselves. Alzheimer’s disease

12. causes • Linked to deterioration of cells in the hippocampus that produces the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach). • Tangles and plaques?

13. Statistics • 7.7 million expected to have by 2030 • 1 in 8 people over the age of 65 have disease • 5 million currently have Alzheimer’s • Younger sufferers more common but may be unreported

14. Ego Integrity vs. despair Ego Integrity-the belief that life is meaningful even when physical abilities decline. Able to accept their approaching death as part of life. Despair occurs when ego integrity has not been maintained and people realize they will lose everything that means something to them Successful Aging

15. Successful Aging • Older people tend to be more satisfied with their life if they have • Good health • Financially secure • Strong social report • Reshaping one’s life-focus on what matters to them. • Positive outlook-don’t use age as an excuse. • Self challenge-Continue to challenge yourself in new ways.

16. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBWEzt2U9RQ&feature=player_detailpagehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBWEzt2U9RQ&feature=player_detailpage Successful Aging