Late Adulthood and Death

University of phoenix | Late adulthood and Death | Karina Garcia | | Psy/280 Jeannette Merchant | 8/31/2010 |

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Late Adulthood and Death

In this paper I will discuss the physical, cognitive and social emotional changes during this stage in life. Also, the stereotypes that categorize elderly with ageism, the health, and wellness of this stage play an important role.
Late adulthood and death is when ageism occurs. Ageism is a form of prejudice in which elderly people are categorized and judged solely on the basis of their chronological age. Adults who have ageist ideas are likely to be less capable when they themselves get older (Levy and Leifheit-Limson, 2009.) Ageism is everyone over the age of 60, there is young-old, old-old, and oldest-old, which is usually based on their current health issues. All the functions become less acute with age, but some still are independent. More people are living longer and are more aware that being healthy promotes well being.
Being healthy can determine if an elderly person will have a efficient body. As people age the digestion system does not function as well as it did in the earlier stages of life. It is harder for the body to digest the food and get the nutrients it needs. Exercise is also important later on in life. Movement of any kind is better than sitting still such as swimming, climbing stairs, gardening (Manini et al., 2008.) By exercising there is an increase of blood flow throughout the body and release endorphins, which can give them the energy that is needed. During this time the average life expectancy from birth is 75 years for men and 81 years for women (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2008.)
The aging brain is slowing down during these years, which Senescence reduces the neurotransmitters-glutamate, acetylcholine, serotonin, and dopamine-that allow a nerve impulse to jump quickly across the synapse from one neuron to another (Backman and Farde, 2005.) During this time the brain is being used in both hemispheres of the brain, left lobe and right lobe to solve problems. The brain also shrinks, which can cause a slower response. The shrinking brain can shrink some areas more than others such as the hypothalamus (crucial for memory) and the pre-frontal cortex (planning, inhibiting unwanted persons, coordinating thoughts) (Kramer et al., 2006.) Memory becomes less effective with age because of the shrinking of the brain and can lead to Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
The physical, cognitive and social emotional changes during this stage in life are the way that life will take everyone. Eventually life will let death be an experience that all humans will face, whether it is by dying of old age or dying.

References
Berger, K. (2010). Invitation to the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.

References: Berger, K. (2010). Invitation to the Life Span. New York: Worth Publishers.