Developmental Psychology Chapter 17 Handout

Common Stereotypes about Aging: Late Adulthood (60/65+)

Mark Each as True or False

_____1. The majority of old people (65+) are senile.

_____2. The 5 senses weaken in old age.

_____3. The majority of old people have no interest in sex.

_____4. Lung capacity declines in old age.

_____5. Most elderly feel miserable most of the time.

_____6. Physical strength declines in the elderly.

_____7. Over 10% of elderly live in institutions (nursing homes, mental inst.)

_____8. Aged drivers have fewer accidents than those under 65.

_____9. Older workers are not as efficient as younger workers.

_____10. Over 75% of the aged are healthy enough to carry on normally.

_____11. Old people usually cannot adapt to change.

_____12. Old people take longer to learn something new.

_____13. It is almost impossible for the average old person to learn something new.

_____14. Older people have slower physical reactions.

_____15. Older people are pretty much alike

_____16. Most elderly report rarely being bored.

_____17. Most elderly are socially isolated.

_____18. Older workers have fewer accidents than younger workers

•The majority of elderly adults take some medications, as many as 7.

•Most common medications are:

•Sleeping pills*Laxatives *Analgesics

•Anti-hypertensives*Diuretics *Psychotropics

•Cardiac medications*Antacids

•Antibiotics*Cold remedies

•Drugs metabolize more slowly as people age and kidney and liver functions decline

•Hazards include

•Toxic interactions*Improper dosages

Outdated drugs*Storage problems*Confusion

Stages of Alzheimer's

  • General Forgetfulness – losing keys, eyeglasses, forgetting names

•Forgetfulness More Intense and Prevalent – become repetitive, confused, unable to concentrate.

•Dangerous Stage – getting lost, dressing inappropriately, forgetting to eat, forgetting to turn off the stove.

•Totally Confused and Disoriented – doesn’t recognize spouse or family members. Can’t control body functions. Full-time care.

Cataracts / A. changes in physical and cognitive functioning that are due to illness, health habits, and other individual differences, but which are not due to increased age itself and are not inevitable
Arthritis / B. due to genetic preprogramming, aging that involves universal, irreversible changes
Major depression / C. deterioration of eyesight from a thinning of the yellowish area of the eye located near the retina
Alzheimer's disease / D. pressure in the fluid of the eye increases, either because the fluid cannot drain properly or because too much fluid is produced
Environmental factors in memory / E. cloudy or opaque area on the lens of the eye that interferes with passing light
Adult-Onset Diabetes / F. includes serious memory loss accompanied by declines in other mental functioning
Biological factors in memory / G. high blood pressure
Glaucoma / H. intense sadness, pessimism, and hopelessness
Hypertension / I. a progressive brain disorder that produces loss of memory and confusion
Information processing deficits in memory / J. an inflammation of one or more joints
Secondary aging / K. ability to inhibit irrelevant information declines, speed declines, and the ability to pay attention and to organize tasks involving memory skills decline
Dementia / L. brain and body deterioration
Primary aging / M. High blood glucose that begins in adulthood
Age-related macular degeneration / N. prescription drugs that hinder memory, life changes in adulthood, and motivation