23 - Late Adulthood: Biosocial Development

Age 65 +

Prejudice and predictionsAgeism

◦Judging people only on the basis of their chronological age Any age Can become a self-fulfilling prophecy

Elderspeak◦Demeaning way of speaking to older

adults

Gerontology and GeriatricsGerontology

◦Scientific study of old ageGeriatrics

◦Medical specialty

DemographyStudy of population

Demographic shiftMore older people & fewer

younger peopleCentenarians

◦100 years or more◦Fastest-growing age group

Demographic pyramid (age-sex pyramid)◦Changing from triangle to rectangle

or square People are living longer Fewer babies being born

Aging and disease

Primary and secondary agingPrimary

◦Universal and irreversible physical changes

◦No specific physical illness, body just wears out

Secondary aging◦Specific physical illness◦Become more common with aging

High blood pressure and cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease

◦Leading cause of death in men and womenSix risk factors for cardiovascular disease:

◦Diabetes◦Smoking◦Abdominal fat◦High blood pressure◦Lack of exercise◦High cholesterol

High blood pressure is also effected by ◦Age and genes

Compensating for ageMore sleep

◦More sleep difficulties Take longer to fall asleep

Drive more slowly, not at night, or not at all

Compression of morbidityPeople are ill before dying a

shorter period of time◦Better lifestyle, medicine, and

technological aids

Osteoporosis“Fragile bones”Bones become more porous

How are senses affected?Taste, smell, touch, and hearing

are impairedTechnology helps

◦Visual problems Brighter lights, glasses

◦Hearing problems Hearing aids

Theories of aging

Wear and tearBody just wears out

Genetic clockChanges in DNA that regulates

aging, cellular reproduction and repair

Cellular agingMay be caused by loss if ability of cells to

duplicate perfectlyFree radicals

◦ Electrons that have become detached (freed) from their nuclei

Oxygen free radicals◦ Oxygen atom with unpaired electron◦ Can cause cancer, diabetes, and arteriosclerosis

Antioxidants◦ E.g. Vitamins A,C, & E◦ Nullify free radicals

Form bond with unattached oxygen electron◦ May not reduce aging

Immune systemB Cells (Bone)

◦Immune cells – create antibodies destroying bacteria and viruses

T cells (Thymus gland)◦Immune cells – attack infected cells

in the body

Cell replication problemsHayflick limit

◦Every species have a limited number of times cells will duplicate before they die. Humans = 50 times or less Related to errors in duplication (copying)

TelomeresOn ends of chromosomesShorten with each replicationWhen gone, duplication stops &

creature diesTelomerase

◦Enzyme that increases length of telomeres

◦May slow down aging

Calorie restriction1,000 calories a dayMay slow down agingReduces sex driveTemporary infertility

The centenarians122 years = maximum human

life spanDiet: Little meat or fat & more

fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish.Work throughout lifeFamily & community (social

activity)Exercise and relaxation