Adulthood and Aging, 6eJohn C. Cavanaugh

Fredda Blanchard-Fields

Learning Objectives How do rate-of-living theories explain aging? What are the major hypotheses in cellular

theories of aging? How do programmed cell death theories

propose that we age? How do the basic developmental forces

interact in biological and physiological aging?

Rate-of-Living Theories Limited energy

Organisms have only so much energy to expend in a lifetime Metabolic rate of certain animals seem to be correlated to their

lifespan Excess calories

Reduction in calorie intake increases lifespan Okinawans consume 60% less; have 40 times more centenarians

Hormonal regulatory system adaptation to stress Age which a mammal becomes mature is related to longevity

Metabolism relates directly to longevity

Saving your energy won’t directlyresult in living longer

Cellular Theories Limited number of times a cell can

divide (Hayflick limit) Cross-linking

Tissue becomes stiffer with age Free radicals

Reactive chemicals causing cellular damage

Programmed Cell Death Theories Aging programmed into genetic

code? Cells pre-programmed to self-

destruct Other genetic pathologies:

Osteoarthritis Changes in the brain cells Alzheimer’s Memory loss Personality changes

Implications of the Developmental Forces

The biological, psychological, sociocultural, and lifecycle forces

Unified theory not yet developed Three general approaches to slowing or

reversing the aging process: 1. Delay the chronic illnesses of old age2. Slow the fundamental processes of aging to increase

life span3. Arrest or reverse aging by removing the damage

caused by the metabolic process

Learning Objectives How do our skin, hair, and voices change

with age? What happens to our body build with age? What age-related changes occur in our ability

to move around?

Changes in Skin, Hair, and Voice Changes in Skin

Why does our skin wrinkle? Four-step process

Effects of sun exposure on skin Sun exposure & smoking How to counteract these effects?

Other skin changes Pigment-containing cells decrease Age spots, moles Varicose veins

Changes in the Hair Individual differences

Gender differences Hair loss caused by destruction of germ centers

that produce hair follicles Graying caused by cessation of pigment production Other hair changes

Males do not lose facial hair. Females gain facial hair. (hormonal changes)

Changes in the Voice Differences in young and old voices

Lowering in pitch Increased breathlessness and trembling Slower and less pronounced pronunciation Decreased volume

Normative changes or poor health? What do you think?

Changes in Body Build Differences in the way bodies look over

time Decrease in height and fluctuations in weight

Between mid-50s and mid-70s men lose about 1 inch and women 2 inches

Compression of the spine

Changes in posture

Weight gain then loss How different between men and women?

Changes in Mobility Muscles

Strength loss: age 70 – up to 20%; age 80 – up to 40% No difference in the rate of muscle change between

men and women Bones

Loss begins in the late 30s, accelerates in the 50s, and slows in 70s

Gender differences Osteoporosis: leading cause of broken bones in older

women Joints

Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis

Appearance and Mobility

Psychological Implications Gender differences

Compensation Cosmetics Hair dyes Plastic surgery

Appearance vs. actual losses in strength and endurance Exercise and resistance training is useful up to age

90 Adaptive behaviors

Pain in the joints may reduce mobility Rehabilitation after hip fractures

Learning Objectives What age-related changes happen in vision? How does hearing change as people age? What age-related changes occur in the sense

of touch and balance? What happens to taste and smell with

increasing age?

Vision Structural changes in the eye

Adaptation – light and dark; change focus Presbyopia Cataracts – opaque spots on the lens Glaucoma - high pressure in fluid around eye

Retinal Changes Macular degeneration

- progressive and irreversible destruction of receptors (loss of details)

Diabetic retinopathy - aging of the arteries - blindness

Cataracts

Macular Degeneration

20 of 40

Classroom Participation Measure

1. Take out a piece of paper

2. Put your name in the right top corner

3. Without talking answer the visual puzzle on the next slide

Why old people have vision problems . . .

Psychological Effects of Visual Changes

Reading TV watching Grocery labels; cooking instructions Driving a car Corrective actions

Glasses (Presbyopia) Surgery (cataracts) Corrective environmental changes

Brighter lights Larger type

Hearing Damage due to loud environment

Cumulative effects Single incident damage

Presbycusis – reduced sensitivity to high pitched tones Most common hearing problem On increase among young adults

Social adjustment to hearing loss Loss of independence, social isolation Irritation, paranoia, depression Emotional effects Decreased quality of life

Corrective action (next slide)

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AtrophyThe

wasting away of a body part

Somesthesia and Balance

Loss of touch Temperature regulation Pain sensitivity Kinesthesis

Where is your body? Reduced quality of life

Balance Vestibular system

Dizziness, lightheaded, vertigo

Longer time to integrate all sensory information

Fear of falling

Environmental hazards Loose rugs

Slippery floors

Lighting

Hip protection

Tai-Chi Enhance body awareness

Improve balance

Reduce falls

“Weebles wobble, but

they don’t fall down!”

Taste and Smell Too old to cut the mustard? Taste dependent on smell Safety factors Personal hygiene Memory differences between odors

and other memory cues

Learning Objectives What age-related changes occur in the

cardiovascular system? What types of cardiovascular disease are common in adult development and aging? Psychological effects?

What structural and functional changes occur with age in the respiratory system? What are the most common types of respiratory diseases in older adults? Psychological effects?

Cardiovascular System Underlying cause of diminished

capacity Accumulation of fat deposits Stiffening of the heart muscle

Decline in aerobic capacity By age 65 - 60 to 70% decline Get tired easily Heart attaches while performing

moderately exerting tasks Want to decline less?

Stay in shape during adulthood

Cardiovascular Disease Ethnic and gender differences—Why? Congestive heart failure (most common

hospitalization over 65)

Angina pectoris (decrease oxygen to the heart, causing pain)

Myocardial infarction (MI) (heart attack)

Atherosclerosis (build up of fat and calcium in artery walls)

Hypertension Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (stroke)

Respiratory System Respiratory Diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Damage is irreversible Emphysema

82% self-induced by smoking Chronic bronchitis

More common with people over 45 Dust, irritating fumes, air pollution

Learning Objectives What reproductive changes occur in women? What reproductive changes occur in men? What are the psychological effects of

reproductive changes?

Female Reproductive System Genital organ change begins in the 40s

Transition – perimenopause

Changes in reproductive organs and sexual functioning

Menopause Ethnic differences in the severity of symptoms

Progressive change after menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

No physiological reason why most women cannot continue sexual activity into old age.

Male Reproductive System Unlike menopause, no event to mark changes

Decline in testosterone levels

Decrease in sperm production (30% between 30 and 60)

Prostate cancer a real threat

Impotence: normally treatable with drugs

Erectile Dysfunction: treatable with Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra

Psychological Implications For healthy adults males, sexual activity is lifelong

option. Stereotyping has important consequences.

Learning Objectives How do we measure changes in the brain? What major changes occur in neurons? How do

neurons’ ability to communicate with each other change with age? What are the psychological effects of changes in the brain?

What major changes occur in the autonomic nervous system?

Studying Brain-Behavior Relations: Imaging Techniques

Computed Tomography – CT Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI Positron Emission Tomography – PET

PET Scan

Neurons (individual cells) Dendrites – carry message towards cell Cell body Axon – carry message away from cell Terminal branches Neurotransmitters Synapse

41 of 405 Min

Structural Changes in Neurons Plasticity (capability of brain to adapt its function and structure)

Neurofibrillary Tangles (fibers of the axon become tangled)

Amyloid Plaques (damaged & dying neurons around a core of protein)

Both considered characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease

Changes in communication between neurons

Parkinson’s disease Tremors Rigidity Difficulty keeping balance Shuffling walking style

Autonomic Nervous System Regulating Body Temperature

Elderly susceptible to hypothermia

Don’t notice they are cold

Less ability to raise body temperature

Sleep and Aging Less sleep

Day napping

Moody, poorer function, fatigue, decrease motivation & concentration

Psychological Implications

Senility – What is it?Decline in cognitive functioningDementia is not part of normal aging

Successful AgingAdapting to changes (physically & mentally)

Normal Agingexpected changes that all experience

Pathological Agingdue to disease process