ELDER DEVELOPMENT Human Development College of Public and Community Service University of...

ELDER DEVELOPMENTELDER DEVELOPMENT

Human DevelopmentCollege of Public and Community Service

University of Massachusetts at Boston©2009 William Holmes

1

ELDER PHYSICAL CHANGESELDER PHYSICAL CHANGES

Physical decline before cognitive decline

Onset varies widelyLoss of indivisible cellsAccumulation of genetic

errorsMitochondrial energy lossCumulative disease

effects

2

ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 1ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 1

VisionHearingTouch (including

pain receptors)Neural responseLung functionDigestion

3

ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 2ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 2

BonesDentistryReproductionHeartGastourinary StaminaWhite-matter lesions

increase

4

COGNITIVE CHANGESCOGNITIVE CHANGES

Slower thinkingMore knowledge/wisdomReduced

perception/awarenessIncreased distractibilityMore gestalt awarenessAffected by educationRelated to “metabolic

syndrome”

5

ELDER DIMENTIA: 1ELDER DIMENTIA: 1

• Dietary factors• Drug interaction• Environmental stimulation• Brain lesions• Natural brain decay

6

ELDER DIMENTIA: 2ELDER DIMENTIA: 2

• High blood pressure• Low blood pressure• Alzheimer's• Alcohol damage• Substance abuse

7

REASONS FOR ELDER ABUSE AND REASONS FOR ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATIONEXPLOITATION

PaybackFinancial gainStress responseBurnoutFalse expectationsInadequate system

response

8

ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 1ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 1

FinancialPersonal careShoppingSocial interaction/

participationCreativity

9

ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 2ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 2

Family tiesFriendsNeighborhood

environmentExerciseGene therapy

10

ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 1DEVELOPMENT: 1

Gender roles—crossover and discontinuity

Sexuality—desire, impotency, loveFamilial relationsCaretaking

11

ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 2DEVELOPMENT: 2

EmploymentLeisureActivity versus disengagementIntegrity versus despair

12