Transcript Physical Abilities in Old Age

Physical Abilities in
Old Age
Life Expectancy
• Functional Age- Actual
competence and performance
– Young-old
– Old-old
• Life expectancy- # years one is
expected to live.
• 2003: 77.5 (74.8 vs. 80.1)
• Infant mortality and death rates
Variations on Life
Expectancy
• Women: 4 to7 years longer
• Other influential factors: SES,
Ethnicity, Nationality
– Why? Infant mortality, lifethreatening disease, povertylinked stress, violent death (in lowSES minority groups in US)
Variations on Life
Expectancy
• Active Lifespan- vigorous,
healthy life
– U.S. behind-heart disease, highfat diet, inferior health policies for
aged.
– In developing nations-less than 50
years
Life Expectancy in
Late Adulthood
• Medical advances and improved life
conditions those aged 65 and over
has increased
• Add 18 additional years to life
– Contrast to life expectancy?
• Over age 100, gender gap
disappears
• Age 85 and ethnic minority groups
– Life expectancy cross-over
• Hereditary vs. Environment
– Long lived ancestors
– Twin studies
Maximum Lifespan
• Genetic limit to length of life,
free of external risk factors
• Avg: 85 years,
• longest-lived: 122
• Lifespan of other species have
been stretched- Human genetic
limit?
• Notable cause in finding out?
Physical ChangesNervous System
• Brain weight declines across
adulthood
– Greater increase after age 60
• As much as 10% by 80
• As much as 20% by 90.
– Death of neurons and
enlargement of ventricles
Physical ChangesNervous System
• Neuron loss occurs in varying rates
depending on region
• Visual, auditory, and motor areas: up
to 50% die
• Parts of cortex (frontal lobe): far less
change
• Cerebellum (balance and
coordination): ~25%
• Glial cells decrease: diminished
efficiency of CNS
Physical ChangesNervous System
• Overcoming declines
• Neural fiber growth: same as middleaged
• Neurons establish new synaptic
connections
• Exercise increases blood circulation
to the brain: helps preserve
structures and neuronal growth
Physical ChangesNervous System
• Autonomic Nervous System
– Life support functions
– Elderly: heat waves and cold
spells
– Releases higher levels of stress
hormones arouse the body
tissues that are less responsive
Sensory Systems
• See text- Focus on Vision,
Hearing, and Smell
Sleep
• Older adults need less sleep than
younger adults-T or F?
• More difficulty falling asleep, staying
asleep, sleeping deeply
– Begins after 30-men, after 50-women
• Timing changes- early to bed, early to rise
• Changes in brain structures,
increased stress hormones
Sleep
• Why do men experience more
sleep problems than women?
– Enlarged prostrate gland constricts
urethral tubes
– More sleep apnea
• 30-50% have 20 episodes or more/night
– “restless legs”