Developmental Psychology

10.4 Health Problems of Late Adulthood As a person ages, there is an increased chance for chronic diseases. Two of the most common chronic diseases is arthritis, as well hypertension. Elderly individuals are also prone to developing acute diseases such as a heart attack or a stroke. Studies show that women are at a higher risk for developing chronic disease during late adulthood than men. On the reverse side, men are more than likely to develop heart disease during late adulthood. Both male and female adults in late adulthood are at risk of heart disease and even cancer. These are the two most common conditions that lead to death in elderly individuals. Infectious disease death is also increased during this stage. It is usually due to immune senescence, which is the slowing of the immune system. Studies show that heart disease is usually not a result of the aging process granted that the cardiac process will lose efficiency due to aging. Some of the more common factors that lead to cardiac diseases are lack of exercise, smoking, not having proper nutrition as well as high blood pressure. Approximately 25% of elderly people will die due to cancer. Cancer has many risk factors. Cancer in elderly individuals will begin before symptoms are visible. Immuno-senescence will typically increase the chance of developing cancer. There are factors that are significantly important during late adulthood; nutrition and sexual activities. • Nutrition o A person needs to increase their vitamin and mineral intake and decrease their intake of calories. Elderly individuals are known to need to have more nutrients and less calories o An elderly’s aging cells typically hold water less efficiently, which means there is an increased need for water intake o Elderly individuals need to keep exercising, which in turn will help their body healthy, and their systems functioning properly • Sexual Activities o Studies show that there isn’t a biological imperative to stop sexual activity suddenly o Many adults in late adulthood will continue having a health sex life, but at the same time, there is a chance for a decline in sexual activity o 70% of individuals will continue sexual activity in late adulthood 10.5 Aging Theories • Wear and Tear Theory o Known as the oldest theory as well as the most general aging theory. It has been proposed that a person’s body will wear out after being live in, and there is a chance for the body to start deteriorating. Think of someone playing their favorite CD over and over and over again. It will eventually stop working. • Cellular Accidents o When cells divide, there is a chance that mistakes will occur. The types of mistakes that happen are typically benign and will not cause problems. When there is a mistake and it will become a problem is when there are several mistakes occurring all at once. The cells that are mutated, will begin having decreased function unlike non-mutated cells.

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