Development in Late Adulthood - 1779 Words

Daniel Levinson depicts the late adulthood period as those years that encompass age 65 and beyond. Other developmental psychologists further divide later adulthood into young-old (ages 65–85) and old-old (ages 85 and beyond) stages. Today, 13 percent of the population is over the age of 65, compared with 3 percent at the beginning of this century. This dramatic increase in the demographics of older adulthood has given rise to the discipline of gerontology, or the study of old age and aging. Gerontologists are particularly interested in confronting ageism, or prejudice and discrimination against older adults. Aging inevitably means physical decline, some of which may be due to lifestyle, such as poor diet and lack of exercise, rather than†¦show more content†¦For instance, an elderly lifelong pianist may continue to exhibit incredible finger dexterity at the keyboard, but may at the same time find that taking up needlepoint as a hobby is too difficult. Although the average life expectancy is 79 for females and 72 for males, older adulthood can easily extend 20 years or more beyond these figures. As older adults age, most report increasing health problems. Even so, only about 5 percent of adults over age 65 and 25 percent of those over age 85 live in nursing homes, foster care (where elderly people live with a family licensed by the state to care for aging adults), or other long-term care facilities. With medical advances and continued improvements in health-care delivery, the older population is expected to increase in its numbers and report better health. Estimates are that within the next 30 years, one out of every five Americans will be an older adult. Although most older adults have at least one chronic health problem, such ailments need not pose limitations on activities well into the adults 80s and beyond. The most common medical concerns during older adulthood are arthritis and rheumatism, cancer, cataracts of the eyes, den tal problems, diabetes, hearing and vision problems, heart disease, hypertension, and orthopedic injuries. Because the elderly are at greater risk of losing their balance and falling, hip fractures and breakages are particularly common and dangerous inShow MoreRelatedSocial Development of Late Adulthood Essay617 Words   |  3 PagesThe Social Development in Late Adulthood LaTricia R. Scott BHS 325 May 20, 2013 Jane Winslow, MA, LMFT Social Development in Late Adulthood Late Adulthood is a time in people’s lives when they come to terms with their lives and reevaluate what they have done or accomplished in the lieu of what they still would like to accomplish for the remainder of their lives. During this stage of life adults around the ages of 65 begin to experience a variety of changes in their physical appearanceRead MoreReflection On Human Development : Late Adulthood1264 Words   |  6 PagesReflection on Human Development: Late Adulthood The human lifespan concludes with the late adulthood phase, in which adults 65 and older experience transitions that interconnect with one’s physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Due to the uncertainty and variability of how long an individual can live for, there are disparities amid defining late adulthood. Contemporary researchers divided aging into three categories: young old (65-74), old old (75-84), and oldest old (85 and above) (PapaliaRead MoreLate Adulthood: The Areas of Development in Psychological Aspects1323 Words   |  5 PagesLate adulthood begins after the age of 65 and it is characterized by the areas of development in psychological aspects, cognitive aspects as well as emotional aspects. 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Consequently, this aging population has significant effects onRead MoreStages Of Development Across The Lifespan Essay1535 Words   |  7 PagesStages of Development Across the Lifespan The human body is always developing and changing; physically, cognitively, socially and even changes through personality. These changes take place during different stages in the human development cycle. Throughout this paper you will be introduced to two developmental changes that happen physically, cognitively, socially/personality in adolescence, young adulthood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. Adolescence Physical The physical changes that occurRead MoreFactors That Affect The Healthy Development Of Cognition And Social Development962 Words   |  4 PagesEarly to Middle Childhood Researchers have identified the importance of interplay in the healthy development of cognition and social development (Biro, Alink, Huffmeijer, Bakermans†Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, 2015). Engaging in daily interaction will allow infants to mimic and learn socialization, this will influence the way that toddlers and young children engage with peers and caregivers throughout their childhood (Biro, Alink, Huffmeijer, Bakermans†Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, 2015). Learning