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Developmental Psychology - Physical, Cognitive Development 65+

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Study GuideDevelopmental Psychology–Physical, CognitiveDevelopment: 65+1.Health: Age 65+Older adulthood can be a long and meaningful stage of life. Although theaverage life expectancyisabout79 years for womenand72 years for men, many adults live20 years or more beyond theseaverages. As people age, health concerns do become more common, but serious decline is notinevitable.1.1Where Older Adults LiveMost older adultsdo notlive in nursing homes or long-term care facilities.•Only about5% of adults over age 65•And about25% of adults over age 85live in nursing homes, foster care homes (where older adults live with a licensed family), or similarfacilities.Thanks to medical advances and better health care, the older population is growing and stayinghealthier longer. In fact, experts estimate that within the next30 years,1 in 5 Americanswill be anolder adult.1.2Common Health Conditions in Older AdulthoodMost older adults haveat least one chronic health condition, but these problems do not alwayslimit daily activities—even well into a person’s 80s or beyond.Common health concerns include:•Arthritis and rheumatism•Cancer•Cataracts

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Study Guide•Dental problems•Diabetes•Hearing and vision loss•Heart disease•High blood pressure (hypertension)•Orthopedic injuriesOlder adults are also more likely tolose their balance and fall, makinghip fracturesespeciallycommon and dangerous.1.3Why Illness Can Be More SeriousColds and the flu can bemuch more dangerousfor older adults. As the body ages:•Organs do not work as efficiently•The immune system is weakerA common and tragic example is when an older adult:1.Falls and breaks a hip2.Has successful surgery3.Later dies from pneumonia or infectionThis happens because the body may not have enoughreserve capacityto recover from illness orinfection.1.4Nutrition and Medication ChallengesTwo often-overlooked health risks for older adults arepoor nutritionandmedication misuse.NutritionBy age 65:•Adults need about20% fewer calories•But they still need thesame amount of nutrients

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Study GuideThis helps explain why many older adults areoverweight but undernourished. Cooking may feeldifficult or tiring, leading some to rely on fast food, junk food, or skip meals entirely.Medication UseMedication problems are also common:•Some older adults accidentally taketoo much medication•Others combine drugs that createharmful interactionsBecause aging bodies are more sensitive to medications,dosages must be carefully monitored. Infact, many elderly patients who are hospitalized in critical condition begin to improve once theirmedications are reduced or stopped.1.5The Role of Exercise and LifestyleExercise plays a powerful role in extending life expectancy and improving health.Older adults who:•Stay physically active•Maintain fitness•Eat nutritious foodstend to age better than those who do not. This is an important reminder thathealthy habits startedearlier in life pay off later on.1.6Dementia and Alzheimer’s DiseaseMental Health Concerns in Older AdulthoodThe most common mental and emotional problems in older adulthood include:•Depression•Anxiety•DementiaDementiarefers to mental deterioration, also calledorganic brain syndrome. It affects about4% ofadults over age 65.
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Document Details

University
Texas A&M University
Course
Developmental Psychology
Subject
Healthcare

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