The document discusses late adulthood, covering its definitions, age categories, and theories of aging, such as integrity vs. despair and activity theory. It explores health variations among the elderly, highlighting cognitive changes, aging phenomena, and the importance of distinguishing between primary and secondary aging. Additionally, it addresses social aspects like relationships, caregiving, and the challenges faced by the frail elderly, including issues of elderly abuse.

1. Late Adulthood
A Look at Variations and Theories
of Late Adulthood

2. Defining Late Adulthood
 Census Categories
 65-74; 75-84; 85-100; 100+
 Quality of Life
 Optimal aging
 Normal aging
 Impaired aging

3. Age Structures in Society
Population Pyramids

4. Source: U.S. Department of
Census (He et als., 2005)

5. Unhappy Birthday
Stereotypes of Late Adulthood

6. Test Your Knowledge

7.  There are about 10 million people aged
65 and older living in the United States.
 True
 False
 False. There are about 38.9 million people
65+

8.  About half of those over 65 are in
nursing homes.
 True
 False
 False. Of those 38.9 million, only 1.6
million live in nursing homes.

9.  The number of people with Alzheimer’s
disease is expected to increase by
2030.
 True
 False
 True. As more people enter late
adulthood, cases of Alzheimer’s disease will
increase.

10.  About half of people over 70 have
hearing loss.
 True
 False
 False. About a third experience hearing
loss. Rates go to almost half for people
over 85.

11. Theories of Aging
 Integrity vs. Despair
 Disengagement Theory
 Activity Theory
 Continuity Theory

12. Continuity
 Jimmy Buffet
 John Mayall
 Les Paul

13. Variations in Aging

14. Health
 Most report good health
 Most report being “very satisfied” with
their life
 1.6 million of the 38.9 million over 65
are in nursing homes
 But 85+ on increase

15. Average Life Expectancy
 In 1900, 47.3
 In 2007:
 White females 80.4
 Black females 76.8
 White males 75.4
 Black males 70 (historic racism)

16. Primary and Secondary Aging
 Primary Aging-inevitable changes
associated with age
 Secondary Aging-changes caused by
illness or disease
 The importance of making the
distinction

17. Primary Aging
 Skin and Hair
 Height and Weight
 Body Fat
 Eye Problems
 8% of those over 75
 Hearing Loss
 Almost ½ of those
over 80
 ‘elderspeak’

18. Secondary Aging
 Arthritis
 Hypertension
 Heart Disease and
Stroke
 Diabetes
 Cancer
 Osteoporosis
 Alzheimer’s Disease

19. Why Do We Age?
 Cell life
 Hayflick limit
 telomeres
 Free Radical Theory
 Protein Crosslinking
 DNA damage from pollutants
 Decline in immune system

20. Late Adulthood and Exercise

21. How Aging Affects Memory
 Sensory Register
 Working Memory
 Long-term Memory
 Keeping the brain healthy

22. Cognitive Changes in Late
Adulthood
A Look At Normal and Disease
Related Changes

23. Abnormal Loss of
Cognitive Functioning
 Organic/Disease Related
 Dementia
 Alzheimer’s Disease
 Multi-infarct dementia (MID)
 Nonorganic/Preventable Causes
 Depression (suicide rates high)
 Alcoholism
 Mixing Medications/Overmedication
 Poor Nutrition
 Delirium?

24. Psychosocial Development
in Late Adulthood
A Look At Family Life, Friendship,
and Work in Late Adulthood

25. Productivity in Late
Adulthood
 Work
 Education (Elderhostel)
 Volunteerism (more informal than
formal); virtual volunteering
 Political activism (high)

26. Relationships
 Marriage
 Widowhood
 Divorce
 Never Married
 Cohabitation (SAGE)
 Friendships (socioemotional selectivity
theory)
 Residence/Neighbors

27. Types of Grandparents
 Remote (30 percent)
 Companionate (55 percent)
 Involved (15 percent)

28. Frail Elderly
 Number expected to increase
 Most cared for by friends or relatives
 Caregiver is typically either spouse, daughter,
or daughter-in-law

29. Frail Elderly in Nursing
Homes
 Nursing homes and basic needs
 Quality of life is often poor
 Residents lack independence
 “Infantilization”
 Psychological/social needs not met

30. Elderly Abuse
 Financial abuse
 Neglect
 Granny dumping (100,000-200,000
annually)