Ch 15 & 16: The Middle-aged Person

Physical changes

-Skin: decrease in elasticity (collagen), drier skin -Hair: decrease in melanin cells of hair follicle= gray; decrease in testosterone= hair loss in men; hair also grows slower If it is in your genes, you can be bald (not just from mom anymore)

In the US, being middle aged is just...

... a state of mind

How old is considered middle aged?

40-65

Involved grandparents

Actively engaged grand parenting and have influence over the grandchild's life

Exercise

Can enhance the quality of life (does not lead to longevity), 30 minutes 5x a week

Generativity

Concern about providing for others Guide next generation Good mentors, productive

Cardiovascular changes

Decrease in cardiac output, decrease in estrogen leads to an increase in LDLs (BAD CHOLESTEROL), decrease in HDLs (GOOD CHOLESTEROL)

Hormonal changes in males

Decrease in testosterone (happens later in life)

Remote grandparents

Detached and aloof Rarely visits Shows signs that they are annoyed by children Often complain that child's behavior is inappropriate

Moral-Spiritual

Devout and active (Kohlberg) Post conventional- encompass the golden rule More likely to do something b/c morally and ethically correct

Next Stage

Elderly

Learning

Enhanced by interest

Leisure

Enhances mental clarity, strengthens immune system, improves quality of life Start taking vacations by this time

Psychosocial Development

Erickson's Generativity vs Stagnation

Stagnation

Excessive concern for self Does not feel confident or secure Has little to offer Unhappy w/ advancing age

Musculoskeletal changes

Gradual loss of lean body mass (muscle replaced w/ fat) Increase in calcification Osteoporosis can also cause you to lose height

Positive Marital Adjustment

Gradual rise in marital happiness, loyalty & security. Retirement is anticipated

Female health issues

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Overall mental ability ____ w/ age

INCREASES Besides in the case of disease

Men health issues

Increase stress, less likely to seek care. Men at higher risk for more chronic illnesses (more apt to continue smoking and drinking, more stressed) Mormon men have same long life as non mormon women b/c they are more healthful(don't drink/smoke)

Relationship w/ (aging) Parents

Increasing lifespan means parents living longer

The Generation Gap

Is a difference in values & attitudes b/w one generation and another. Can lead to a lack of understanding. Every 20 years signifies a generation gap.

The Baby Boomer Generation

Largest population in the US Born b/w 1946-1964 Most will deny aging effects They are high in confidence Most will contemplate a second career Least likely to retire at 65

Developments Tasks (pt. 1)

Maintain or establish healthful life patterns Help growing or grown children to become happy and responsible adults Create a pleasant and comfortable home Take pride in accomplishments Find pleasure in generativity Balance work w/ other roles and prepare for eventual retirement Achieve mature social and civic responsibilities Continue to formulate a philosophy of life & religious or philosophic affiliation Value wisdom gained from living and experience

Midlife Crisis

Major turning point in life. Has no resolve identity crisis in adolescence -accompanied by emotional turmoil -most often occurs in men

Body image

May begin to feel older

Negative Marital Relationship

May feel a decrease in zest for life. Relationship is changing. Mid life crisis occurs here

Hormonal changes in females

Menopause -cessation of menstruation when the ovaries no longer produce estrogen and progesterone -Estrogen replacement meds (HRT- Hormone Replacement Therapy)

The Sandwich Generation

Middle aged adults simultaneously caring for children who still require a significant amount of nurturing and parents who are in need of care. Emotional and hard to do (stressful) Can be a financial burden Can lead to burn out (pulled in different directions) Close bond b/w grandparents and children b/c they see them more often Self satisfaction

Sleep

Recommend 7-8 hours of sleep Deep sleep in shorter (stage 4)

Retirement

See themselves working past 65

Companionate grandparents

Supportive, buddies (Ex: show up to soccer games, sleepovers)

T/F: There are generational differences in this group

TRUE

How are middle-aged perceived in the US?

They will earn most of the money, pay a major portion of the bills and most of the taxes, and make many of the decisions.

Work

Value work, more inclined to resolve conflict, willing to mentor others

Neurological changes

Vision- need more light to see; Presbyopia= need for reading glasses Hearing- loss of hearing to hi-pitched sounds

Death of Spouse

Widows= females 4x more (husband usually dies before wife) Widowers= males are more likely to remarry (within 5 yrs)

Fluid intelligence

refers to the ability to reason quickly This type of intelligence tends to decline w/ age

Crystalized intelligence

refers to the knowledge and skills that are accumulated over time Tends to increase w/ age (learn from mistakes) Generally long lasting

Death of a Spouse

w/ friends, widow is odd person out (we are a couples society) Men remarry b/c wife took care of them (made decisions) and it was lost Widowers more vulnerable to depression more than widows Research shows that men remarrying is a good thing b/c mortality rates are higher if they don't remarry. This is not shown in women

Immunizations

yearly flu vaccine, Herpes Zoster Vaccine (Shingles) recommended by CDC