Year

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10

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205020201990196019301900

4.1%5.4%

9.2%

12.6%

17.7%

22.9%

Per

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f P

op

ula

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0

5

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Growth of Population Sixty-five Years Old and Over

• We are living currently in the very oldest world

society that has ever existed.

• Aging population will be one of the dominant

trends over the next decades in the

industrialized world.

• Over-65 population in the U.S. is 11 times what

it was in 1900. General population is only 3

times as many as in 1900.

• We are living currently in the very oldest world

society that has ever existed.

• Aging population will be one of the dominant

trends over the next decades in the

industrialized world.

• Over-65 population in the U.S. is 11 times what

it was in 1900. General population is only 3

times as many as in 1900.

Demographic Revolution

Men WomenChina 68 71India 59 60Israel 76 81Japan 76 83Turkey 70 74Canada 76 83Cuba 75 80Mexico 70 77USA 73 79Poland 68 76France 74 82Germany 73 79Greece 76 81Italy 75 81Spain 74 81Switzerland 75 82Egypt 60 63Kenya 56 56Nigeria 53 56South Africa 57 62Zambia 36 36Australia 76 83New Zealand 74 80

Men WomenChina 68 71India 59 60Israel 76 81Japan 76 83Turkey 70 74Canada 76 83Cuba 75 80Mexico 70 77USA 73 79Poland 68 76France 74 82Germany 73 79Greece 76 81Italy 75 81Spain 74 81Switzerland 75 82Egypt 60 63Kenya 56 56Nigeria 53 56South Africa 57 62Zambia 36 36Australia 76 83New Zealand 74 80

Life Expectancy:Selected Data for Men and Women in Industrialized Nations

• Gradual decline, begun decades ago, continues

• Presbycus (hearing loss)

• Presbyopia (“far-sightedness”)

• Shrinkage of internal organs

• Shrinkage in height

• Muscles less flexible

• Canities

• Wrinkling and mottling skin

• Neuronal conduction slows

• Less deep sleep

• Higher rates of chronic diseases

• Gradual decline, begun decades ago, continues

• Presbycus (hearing loss)

• Presbyopia (“far-sightedness”)

• Shrinkage of internal organs

• Shrinkage in height

• Muscles less flexible

• Canities

• Wrinkling and mottling skin

• Neuronal conduction slows

• Less deep sleep

• Higher rates of chronic diseases

The Aging Process

Co

rrec

t (%

)

Age

Sn

elle

n d

eci

mal

10 30 50 70 90

50

70

90

50

70

90

025

075

125A

B

C

Visual acuityn > 20000

Odor identificationn = 1955

Speech intelligibilityn = 2162

Suprathreshold Measures Across Age for Three Major Sensory Systems

•Falls (a major cause of death or disability)

•Misuse of medicines

•Social isolation

•Infections

•Osteoporosis

•Nutritional deficiencies

• Depression

•Cancer

•Cardiac Disorder/stroke/pneumonia/diabetes/arteriosclerosis

•Dementia

The Good News: Many older individuals lead satisfying lives and maintain their health well beyond society’s expectations.

•Falls (a major cause of death or disability)

•Misuse of medicines

•Social isolation

•Infections

•Osteoporosis

•Nutritional deficiencies

• Depression

•Cancer

•Cardiac Disorder/stroke/pneumonia/diabetes/arteriosclerosis

•Dementia

The Good News: Many older individuals lead satisfying lives and maintain their health well beyond society’s expectations.

Risk Factors in Late Adulthood

Source: Robert Berg and Joseph Cassells, (Nov. 5, 1990) National Academy of Science. Lawrence H. Altman, New York Times, November 5, 1990

• The majority of elderly adults take some medications.

• Some take as many as 7 different drugs.

• Most common medications are:• Sleeping pills• Laxatives• Anti-hypertensives• Diuretics• Cardiac medications• Antacids• Antibiotics• Cold remedies• Analgesics• Psychotropics

• Drugs metabolize more slowly as people age and kidney and liver functions decline

• Hazards include• Toxic interactions• Improper dosages• Outdated drugs• Storage problems• Confusion

• The majority of elderly adults take some medications.

• Some take as many as 7 different drugs.

• Most common medications are:• Sleeping pills• Laxatives• Anti-hypertensives• Diuretics• Cardiac medications• Antacids• Antibiotics• Cold remedies• Analgesics• Psychotropics

• Drugs metabolize more slowly as people age and kidney and liver functions decline

• Hazards include• Toxic interactions• Improper dosages• Outdated drugs• Storage problems• Confusion

Prescription Drug Use in Late Adulthood

Major Theories of Aging

Wear and Tear Theory (Common Sense)

Body is like a car that wears out after so much mileage

Cellular Theories

All cells die and are replaced. Toxins and pollutants affect this

cell reproduction with mutations and imperfection. Metabolic

wastes accumulate. Electrons (free radicals) break away and

destabilize atoms.

Programming Theories

We inherit a biological blueprint that switches off growth cells.

There is a Hayflick limit of replication of cells.

Wear and Tear Theory (Common Sense)

Body is like a car that wears out after so much mileage

Cellular Theories

All cells die and are replaced. Toxins and pollutants affect this

cell reproduction with mutations and imperfection. Metabolic

wastes accumulate. Electrons (free radicals) break away and

destabilize atoms.

Programming Theories

We inherit a biological blueprint that switches off growth cells.

There is a Hayflick limit of replication of cells.

Stages of Progressive Dementia

The following may occur over a 5 to 15 year period:

• General Forgetfulness – losing keys, eyeglasses, forgetting names and appointments

• Forgetfulness More Intense and Prevalent – become repetitive, confused, unable to concentrate. Dysphasic.

• Dangerous Stage – getting lost, dressing inappropriately, forgetting to eat, forgetting to turn off the stove.

• Totally Confused and Disoriented – doesn’t recognize spouse or family members. Cannot control body functions. Requires full-time care.

The following may occur over a 5 to 15 year period:

• General Forgetfulness – losing keys, eyeglasses, forgetting names and appointments

• Forgetfulness More Intense and Prevalent – become repetitive, confused, unable to concentrate. Dysphasic.

• Dangerous Stage – getting lost, dressing inappropriately, forgetting to eat, forgetting to turn off the stove.

• Totally Confused and Disoriented – doesn’t recognize spouse or family members. Cannot control body functions. Requires full-time care.

Causes of Dementia

Alzheimer’s(56%)

Brain Injury (4%)

Other Causes (6%)

Parkinson’s Disease (8%)

Multi-InfarctDementia or Vascular Causes(14%)

Multiple Causes (12%)

Source: Trushke, Edward F. (Fall 1998) ADVANCES. Bulletin of Progress in Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care.

• Affects 4 million Americans. 14 million predicted to have it by 2050

• 1 out of 10 people over 65 have Alzheimer’s. 1 out of 2 over 85 have it.

• Costs over $100 billion annually in health care and related costs.

• Definitive diagnosis only on autopsy, with findings of plaques and tangles in the brain cortex.

• Possible causes include genetic inheritance, slow virus, or environmental toxins.

• No known cure.

• Affects 4 million Americans. 14 million predicted to have it by 2050

• 1 out of 10 people over 65 have Alzheimer’s. 1 out of 2 over 85 have it.

• Costs over $100 billion annually in health care and related costs.

• Definitive diagnosis only on autopsy, with findings of plaques and tangles in the brain cortex.

• Possible causes include genetic inheritance, slow virus, or environmental toxins.

• No known cure.

Alzheimer’s Disease

• Preretirement• Honeymoon• Immediate retirement routine• Rest and relaxation• Disenchantment• Reorientation• Retirement routine• Termination of retirement

ATCHLEY'S PHASES OR RETIREMENT

Summary of Physical Development in Late Adulthood

• Continued gradual decline of body functions that began in earlier decades

• Risk of chronic and acute diseases, mediated by genetics and lifestyle

• Life expectancy has risen dramatically to about 75 years

• Majority of the 64,000 centenarians living in the U.S. have fulfilling lives and some continue to excel

• Continued gradual decline of body functions that began in earlier decades

• Risk of chronic and acute diseases, mediated by genetics and lifestyle

• Life expectancy has risen dramatically to about 75 years

• Majority of the 64,000 centenarians living in the U.S. have fulfilling lives and some continue to excel

• Some neuronal loss, but increased synaptic connections can compensate.

• Dementia is more prevalent in this stage, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

• New interests grow, and the quality of wisdom is enhanced.

• Speed and immediate memory declines.

• Some neuronal loss, but increased synaptic connections can compensate.

• Dementia is more prevalent in this stage, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

• New interests grow, and the quality of wisdom is enhanced.

• Speed and immediate memory declines.

Summary of Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood