|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• | Brain becomes physically smaller and functions more slowly |
|
• | Gradual changes continue in appearance, along with weakening of the body sense organs and major body systems |
• | Losses continue in visual and hearing abilities |
• | Decreases in immune system and overall muscle strength put older adults at risk of chronic and acute illness |
• | Short-term memory may decline, but active exercise of mental abilities helps to maintain functioning |
• | Age-related changes impact sexual functioning, but not pleasure |
|
|
|
|
|
• | Abilities to receive information, store it in memory, and organize and interpret it decline |
|
• | Some short-term memory abilities declined, but methods can help compensate for memory loss and slower thinking |
• | Aesthetic, philosophical, or spiritual interests emerge or intensify |
• | Language abilities based on memory and processing speed decline, but overall vocabulary continues to grow |
• | Driving-related abilities dependent on information-processing speed decrease, while skills based on experience increase |
• | Wisdom, experience-based problem solving, and semantic knowledge increase |
|
|
|
|
|
• | Retirement experience shaped by social class and gender factors, including income, health, and amount of previous planning |
|
• | Abilities to cope with stress, reduce negative emotions, and manage personal relationships improve broader perspective on life |
• | Subjective sense of well-being tends to be higher than at all previous periods |
• | Satisfaction with life largely dependent on family involvement |
• | Bereavement for spouse, friends, and families stressful, but most people are able to integrate a loss into their lives within one year after it happens |
• | End-of-life care that incorporates pain management and psychological support greatly impacts well-being |
|
|
|
|
|
