Tramaine Layne
PSY 375
July 23, 2012
Moriel McDuffy
Late Adulthood and End of Life Paper Berger (2008) state that late adulthood, which begins at age 65, is the final stage of the life span development process that culminates through the death of an individual. During the course of the twentieth century the notion of late adulthood changed significantly (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). The average person’s life expectancy increased probably by 30 years. This changed the proportion of North Americans over 65 years from 1900s one in 30 to a projection by the year 2040 that it will be one in five. This drastically changed the perceptions of late adulthood (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). For example, persons viewed adults in their late sixties a mere three decades prior as “old” (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). On the contrary, Kowalski and Westen (2009) indicates that in the present societies it is not surprising to see that persons 70 and older still active. In addition, during this phase, research suggests that most persons adjust to the difficulties involved in aging, such as the decline in cognitive functions, changing of social roles, and inevitably death plausibly (Guest, 2011). The changes in the statistics during late adulthood stage of the life span development process stems from factors, such as the promoting of health and wellness into late adulthood to mitigate the negative effects of aging. Analyzing ageism and stereotypes types associated with late adulthood. The exploration of the different views of death and dying at different the points in human development. Further, through examinations of various cultures’ attitudes toward death and dying. How individuals can promote health and wellness into late adulthood and mitigate the negative effects of aging. The resounding view is that throughout the course of the life span development healthy habits are necessary to promote health, wellness, and to mitigate