23 - Late Adulthood: Biosocial Development

1. 23 - Late Adulthood: Biosocial Development Age 65 +

3. Prejudice and predictions • Ageism • 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

4. Gerontology and Geriatrics • Gerontology • Scientific study of old age • Geriatrics • Medical specialty

5. Demography • Study of population

6. Demographic shift • More older people & fewer younger people • Centenarians • 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

7. Aging and disease

8. Primary and secondary aging • Primary • Universal and irreversible physical changes • No specific physical illness, body just wears out • Secondary aging • Specific physical illness • Become more common with aging

9. High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease • Cardiovascular disease • Leading cause of death in men and women • Six 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

10. Compensating for age • More sleep • More sleep difficulties • Take longer to fall asleep • Drive more slowly, not at night, or not at all

11. Compression of morbidity • People are ill before dying a shorter period of time • Better lifestyle, medicine, and technological aids

12. Osteoporosis • “Fragile bones” • Bones become more porous

13. How are senses affected? • Taste, smell, touch, and hearing are impaired • Technology helps • Visual problems • Brighter lights, glasses • Hearing problems • Hearing aids

14. Theories of aging

15. Wear and tear • Body just wears out

16. Genetic clock • Changes in DNA that regulates aging, cellular reproduction and repair

17. Cellular aging • May be caused by loss if ability of cells to duplicate perfectly • Free 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

18. Immune system • B Cells (Bone) • Immune cells – create antibodies destroying bacteria and viruses • T cells (Thymus gland) • Immune cells – attack infected cells in the body

19. Cell replication problems • Hayflick 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)

20. Telomeres • On ends of chromosomes • Shorten with each replication • When gone, duplication stops & creature dies • Telomerase • Enzyme that increases length of telomeres • May slow down aging

21. Calorie restriction • 1,000 calories a day • May slow down aging • Reduces sex drive • Temporary infertility

22. The centenarians • 122 years = maximum human life span • Diet: Little meat or fat & more fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish. • Work throughout life • Family & community (social activity) • Exercise and relaxation