Psychological changes in late adulthood. Psychosocial Development in Late Adulthood 2022-12-20
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Late adulthood, also known as the post-middle age or elderly stage of life, typically refers to the period of life after the age of 65. During this time, individuals may experience a number of psychological changes that can impact their overall well-being and quality of life.
One common psychological change that occurs during late adulthood is a decline in cognitive function. This may include a decline in memory, problem-solving skills, and the ability to process new information. While these changes are a normal part of the aging process, they can be frustrating for individuals and may lead to feelings of sadness or despair. However, it is important to note that not all individuals experience a decline in cognitive function to the same degree, and there are steps that can be taken to preserve cognitive function, such as engaging in mental and physical exercise.
Another psychological change that occurs during late adulthood is an increased sense of loneliness and isolation. This may be due to a variety of factors, such as the loss of loved ones, physical limitations that make it difficult to engage in social activities, or a lack of social support. Loneliness and isolation can have serious consequences for mental health and overall well-being, and it is important for individuals in late adulthood to prioritize social connections and seek out opportunities for social interaction.
Late adulthood is also a time when individuals may experience an increase in stress and anxiety, particularly related to financial and health concerns. For example, individuals may be worried about their ability to afford healthcare and other necessities as they age, or about their physical health and the possibility of developing chronic conditions. It is important for individuals in late adulthood to find healthy ways to manage stress and seek support from loved ones or mental health professionals if needed.
In addition to these psychological changes, late adulthood can also be a time of growth and development. For example, individuals may experience a sense of increased wisdom and self-awareness as they reflect on their life experiences. They may also find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning through volunteering, taking up new hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
In conclusion, late adulthood is a time of both challenges and opportunities. While individuals may experience a decline in cognitive function, an increased sense of loneliness and isolation, and increased stress and anxiety, they may also find a renewed sense of purpose and meaning as they navigate this stage of life. It is important for individuals in late adulthood to prioritize self-care, seek out social connections and support, and find healthy ways to manage stress in order to maintain their psychological well-being.
Emotional and Social Development in Late Adulthood
Also, developmental psychologists often divide development into three areas: physical development, cognitive development, and psychosocial development. The failure to recognize and treat psychological problems in older patients may be one consequence of such stereotypes. Those with a family member affected are more likely to get the disease themselves. Primary Aging Senescence is the biological agingis the gradual deterioration of functionalcharacteristics. Loneliness can be accompanied by a lack of self-worth, impatience, desperation, and depression. Two good examples of systemic thinking in this class are the notion of meta-theories and the idea of higher-order contexts of development.
Other physical concerns may also occur, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and malnutrition due to an inability to absorb vitamins and nutrients. They are not a cure for the disease nor will they restore the vision that has been lost. They are also less likely than younger adults to delay making decisions on important matters such as medical care Strough et al. Ageism is prejudice and discrimination that is directed at older people. It has become an ongoing trend for elderly generations to move in and live with their children, as they can give them support and help with everyday living. While this age group accounts for only 2% of the U. Disengagement Theory Disengagement theory, developed by Cumming and Henry in the 1950s, in contrast to activity theory, emphasizes that older adults should not be discouraged from following their inclination towards solitude and greater inactivity.
Physical, Psychological and Emotional Changes in Adults
Civic engagement as a retirement role for aging Americans. Many are active and healthy, whereas others are frail, with multiple health conditions. In addressing this issue they recommend that older adults involve themselves in voluntary and leisure organizations, child care, and other forms of social interaction. Both require thinking about complex multi-level systemsâ like systems of theories and ecological perspectives. They are the same individuals, but simply in older bodies. Secrets of healthy aging and longevity from exceptional survivors around the globe: Lessons from octogenarians to supercentenarians.
Same-sex couples who have endured prejudice and discrimination through the years and can rely upon one another continue to have support through late adulthood. For example, an older adult may become mistrustful trust vs. White and Asian people are at greater risk are more likely to have osteoporosis than non-Hispanic blacks. This in turn results in significant physical, psychological, and cognitive changes, like cardio-vascular, digestive malfunctioning, depression, impaired memory functioning, and so on. Physical changes ranging from menopause to dementia have serious psychosocial implications relating to relationships and self-esteem. Older couples: New romances: Finding and keeping love in later life. They may help a friend by taking them somewhere or shopping for them, etc.
Those who do leave by choice adjust to retirement more easily. Themost commonly reported types of abuse are financial abuse and neglect. Stunting is also associated with lethargy, less positive effect, lower levels of play and poor attention Walker, 2007. Anorexia is used as a coping mechanism to block emotions, with restriction of food used to control and deal with painful emotional states of an individual Harrison et al. Understanding Life Expectancy Life expectancy is also used in describing the physical quality of life. Another proposal is the inhibition hypothesis advanced by Lynn Hasher and Rose Zacks. During late adulthood the skin continues to lose elasticity, reaction time slows further, and muscle strength diminishes.
And it is experienced by more white, non-Hispanics than by Black men and women. Older adults retain semantic memory or the ability to remember vocabulary. Three percent of those 65 to 74 and 8 percent of those 75 and older have hearing or vision limitations that hinder activity. For example, a retired Coast Guard commander attends reunions with shipmates, stays interested in new technology for home use, is meticulous in the jobs he does for friends or at church, and displays mementos from his experiences on the ship. By exercising, reducing stress, not smoking, limiting use of alcohol, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and eating less meat and dairy, older adults can expect to live longer and more active lives He et al. Berk, âŚshow more content⌠Erikson emphasises that the individual experiences significant psychosocial and personal change at each stage of life until death.
When people are prejudiced against the elderly and then become old themselves, their anti-elderly prejudice turns inward, causing depression. In Orthodox Judaism, communal worship services cannot take place unless a minyan, or quorum of at least 10 Jewish men, is present, thus ensuring that men will have high rates of attendance. Socioemotional selectivity theory and the regulation of emotion in the second half of life. It is four times more likely to affect women than menâin the developed world, depending on the method of diagnosis, 2% to 8% of males and 9% to 38% of females are affected. The Population 65 Years and Older in the United States: 2016 American Community Survey Reports. Health and happiness among older adults: A community-based study.
The stress experienced by women as they work outside the home as well as care for family members can also ultimately have a negative impact on health He et al. Most elderly people have at least one close friend. Intelligence: Cognitive ability changes over the course of a person's lifespan, but keeping the mind engaged and active is the best way to keep thinking sharp. We also continue to develop physically, as well, even though some of these physical changes may eventually progress in a negative manner. Hormonal changes also continue to occur, but the effects are less pronounced than they were during adolescence.
