Chapter 14: Body and Mind

*14.1 New Understanding of Old Age*

*14.1 New Understanding of Old Age*

*14.2 Selective Optimization with Compensation*

*14.2 Selective Optimization with Compensation*

*14.3 Information Processing After Age 65*

*14.3 Information Processing After Age 65*

*14.4 Neurocognitive Disorders*

*14.4 Neurocognitive Disorders*

*14.5 New Cognitive Development*

*14.5 New Cognitive Development*

*LearningCurve 14a) New Understanding of Old Age; Selective Optimization with Compensation*

*LearningCurve 14a) New Understanding of Old Age; Selective Optimization with Compensation*

*LearningCurve 14b) Info. Processing After Age 65; Neurocognitive Disorders; New Development*

*LearningCurve 14b) Info. Processing After Age 65; Neurocognitive Disorders; New Development*

In what ways are frontotemporal NCDs worse than Alzheimer's disease?

- frontotemporal NCDs tend to begin before age 70, unlike Alzheimer's or vascular disease - main symptom is emotional & personality changes - Although there are many forms and causes of frontotemporal NCDs—including a dozen or so alleles—they usually progress rapidly, leading to death in about five years.

Why are scientists hesitant to say that wisdom comes from old age?

- wisdom doesn't have a universal definition

Parkinson's disease

A chronic, progressive disease that is characterized by muscle tremor and rigidity and sometimes major neurocognitive disorder; caused by reduced dopamine production in the brain.

elderspeak

A condescending way of speaking to older adults that resembles baby talk, with simple and short sentences, exaggerated emphasis, repetition, and a slower rate and a higher pitch than used in normal speech.

ageism

A prejudice whereby people are categorized and judged solely on the basis of their chronological age.

demographic shift

A shift in the proportions of the populations of various ages.

polypharmacy.

A situation in which elderly people are prescribed several medications. The various side effects and interactions of those medications can result in symptoms typical of major neurocognitive disorder.

wear-and-tear-theory

A view of aging as a process by which the human body wears out because of the passage of time and exposure to environmental stressors.

How does the progression of Alzheimer's differ from that of vascular disease?

Alzheimer's is gradual; while, those with vascular disease (VaD) get suddenly much worse, improve somewhat, and then experience another serious loss.

life review

An examination of one's own role in the history of human life, engaged in by many elderly people. This can be written or oral.

neurocognitive disorder (NCD)

Any of a number of brain diseases that affect a person's ability to remember, analyze, plan, or interact with other people.

How is benevolent ageism harmful?

Benevolent ageism is still prejudice. People may not recognize their own ageism when they infantilize the elderly, as if they were children ("so cute!," "second childhood") but their words do harm. SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY • If younger adults treat older people as if they are frail and confused, that treatment makes the elderly become more dependent • If professionals believe that the norms for young adults should apply to everyone, they may try to make older people behave as younger adults do. If they fail, they give up • If older adults themselves focus on what they have lost instead of what they have gained, they lose the joy of old age

How is it possible for older adults to have satisfying sex lives?

By compensating for physical changes (men not being able to maintain an erection OR women with self-image) by optimizing their relationship in other ways = intimacy; e.g. holding hands and being close to each other

plaques

Clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid, found in brain tissue surrounding the neurons.

frontotemporal NCDs

Deterioration of the amygdala and frontal lobes that may be the cause of 15% of all major neurocognitive disorders. (Also called frontotemporal lobar degeneration.)

oldest-old

Elderly adults (generally, those over age 85) who are dependent on others for almost everything, requiring supportive services such as nursing homes and hospital stays.

What is elderspeak and how is it used?

Elderspeak is a condescending way of talking to old people. It is more likely to be used by nurses, doctors, and care workers. It onvolves short, simple sentences; slow talk; high pitch voice, louder volume; frequent repetition. It can involve nicknames or terms of endearment like "honey" or "dear"

young-old

Healthy, vigorous, financially secure older adults (generally, those aged 65 to 75) who are well integrated into the lives of their families and communities.

What indicates that Alzheimer's disease is partly genetic?

If it develops in middle age, the affected person either has trisomy-21 or has inherited one of three genes: amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1, or presenilin 2...many genes have some impact including SORL1 and ApoE4. People who inherit one copy of ApoE4 (as about one-fifth of all U.S. residents do) have about a 50/50 chance of developing AD, with women more at risk than men (p. 518)

major neurocognitive disorder (major NCD)

Irreversible loss of intellectual functioning caused by organic brain damage or disease. Formerly called dementia, major NCD becomes more common with age, but it is abnormal and pathological even in the very old.

Why is Lewy body disease sometimes mistaken for Parkinson's disease?

Lewy bodies are also present in Parkinson's disease, but in Lewy body disease they are more numerous and dispersed throughout the brain, interfering with communication between neurons. The main symptom is loss of inhibition: A person might gamble or become hypersexual. (p. 519)

old-old

Older adults (generally, those over age 75) who suffer from physical, mental, or social deficits.

Why is polypharmacy particularly common among the elderly?

Polypharmacy is common among the elderly bc it is recommended by younger adults, for whom homeostasis slows down.

metabolic syndrome

Several conditions that tend to occur together and increase one's risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

How successful are scientists at preventing major NCD?

Severe brain damage cannot be reversed, although the rate of decline and some of the symptoms can be treated. However, education, exercise, and good health not only ameliorate mild losses but also may prevent worse ones. For most neurocognitive disorders, however, despite the efforts of thousands of scientists and millions of older people, no foolproof prevention or cure has been found. Avoiding toxins (lead, aluminum, copper, and pesticides) or adding supplements (hormones, aspirin, coffee, insulin, antioxidants, red wine, blueberries, and statins) have been tried as preventatives but have not proven effective in controlled, scientific research. - many sought to stop beta-amyloid production which had some success in mice but not in humans

Which kinds of things are harder to remember with age?

Source amnesia and prospective memory. Source amnesia is forgetting the origin of a fact, idea, snippet of a conversation, and it's problematic because older people might not critically think of their politics or information. Prospective memory is remembering to do something in the future; e.g. take a pill, meet someone for lunch, buy milk.

telomere

The area of the tips of each chromosome that is reduced to a tiny amount as time passes. By the end of life, the telomeres are very short.

cellular aging

The cumulative effect of stress and toxins, first causing cellular damage and eventually the death of cells.

ecological validity

The idea that cognition should be measured in settings that are as realistic as possible and that the abilities measured should be those needed in real life.

Alzheimer's disease (AD)

The most common cause of major NCD, characterized by gradual deterioration of memory and personality, and marked by the formation of plaques of beta-amyloid protein and tangles of tau in the brain. There are 5 stages total.

Hayflick limit

The number of times a human cell is capable of dividing into two new cells. The limit for most human cells is approximately 50 divisions, an indication that the life span is limited by our genetic program.

maximum life span

The oldest possible age that members of a species can live under ideal circumstances. For humans, that age is approximately 122 years.

tangles

Twisted masses of threads made of a protein called tau within the neurons of the brain.

vascular disease

Vascular disease is characterized by sporadic, and progressive, loss of intellectual functioning caused by repeated infarcts, or temporary obstructions of blood vessels, which prevent sufficient blood from reaching the brain. (formerly called vascular or multi-infarct dementia.)

An elderly person who displays surprise over memory losses is MOST likely suffering from: a) Alzheimer's disease. b) anxiety. c) Lewy body dementia. d) depression.

a) Alzheimer's disease.

Which is NOT likely to be seen in older adults as they experience sensory-input problems? a) forgetting where one heard of a certain product b) having difficulty seeing that a neighbor is angry c) not understanding speech when vision is impaired d) not knowing where someone is looking when following their gaze

a) forgetting where one heard of a certain product

Geoff and his wife Sheila are middle-aged, have been married for 25 years, and have reported that their sex life has deteriorated due to a major concern of Geoff's. According to the text, Geoff would likely: a) have difficulty maintaining an erection. b) have failing health. c) find his wife less attractive. d) feel that his relationship with his wife has weakened.

a) have difficulty maintaining an erection.

Two rats from the same genetic strain are placed in the exact same environments. Rat A receives the typical caloric intake for a rat of its size and breed. Rat B is on the same diet as rat A, but its caloric intake is 30 percent lower. According the latest studies on calorie restriction: a) rat B should live longer than rat A. b) rat A will develop cardiovascular disease. c) rat A should live longer than rat B. d) rat B will become aggressive due to a lack of food.

a) rat B should live longer than rat A.

Neurocognitive disorders that are reversible can be related to each of these factors EXCEPT: a) shrinkage of the frontal lobe. b) dehydration. c) overmedication. d) depression.

a) shrinkage of the frontal lobe.

Eighty-one-year-old Carmelita told her daughter that she believes that she will have to move out of her house because someone purchased it. What she forgets is that her neighbor expressed an interest in purchasing her house if Carmelita decides to move. Carmelita's confusion was brought on by: a) source amnesia. b) terminal decline. c) priming. d) ecological validity.

a) source amnesia.

Dr. Thompson believes that, with each cellular change and duplication over time, our telomeres become shorter at the end of each chromosome until the telomere is gone and there is a loss of molecular fidelity, which leads to aging and eventual death. Dr. Thompson is a proponent of: a) the Hayflick limit. b) the wear-and-tear theory. c) genetic adaptation. d) evolutionary theory.

a) the Hayflick limit.

Researchers have found that older adults who have _____ showed little or no impairment when asked to perform certain working-memory tasks. a) time and the ability to concentrate b) high IQs c) flashbulb memories d) brain injuries

a) time and the ability to concentrate

_____ adults are more likely to use more areas of their brains than _____ people. a) Younger; older b) Older; younger c) Unhealthy; healthy d) Healthy; unhealthy

b) Older; younger

Which statement regarding the definition of wisdom is FALSE? a) A universal definition of wisdom does not exist. b) Those who are wise never act foolishly. c) In some cultures, fools can also be considered wise. d) Each cohort has a different meaning for wisdom.

b) Those who are wise never act foolishly.

Athletes are now asked to wear helmets and avoid body contact as means of preventing: a) vascular disease. b) chronic traumatic encephalopathy. c) Parkinson's disease. d) Alzheimer's disease.

b) chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Major neurocognitive disorder was formerly called: a) senility. b) dementia. c) cognitive impairment. d) Alzheimer's disease.

b) dementia.

Ageism can target _____, but it is not recognized as readily as racism or sexism. a) children b) people of any age c) oldest old d) older adults

b) people of any age

When Rosemary accused her daughter-in-law of stealing the spatula that she herself misplaced, she was MOST likely in the _____ stage of Alzheimer's disease. a) first b) second c) fourth d) fifth

b) second

Neurocognitive disorders that are reversible can be related to each of these factors EXCEPT: a) depression. b) shrinkage of the frontal lobe. c) dehydration. d) overmedication.

b) shrinkage of the frontal lobe.

Mrs. Gentry is an 82-year-old in good health and with strong social connections. She believes that her memory will begin to show a quick decline in the next year or so because she saw that occur with her mother. If Mrs. Gentry experiences stereotype threat, then it is likely that her memory will: a) continue to function at the current level for several more years. b) start to show a quick decline in the next year or so. c) slowly decline in five years or so. d) start to improve in the next year or so.

b) start to show a quick decline in the next year or so.

In a study described in the text, Lodge and Umberson (2012) used a technique called grounded theory, interviewing married adults in depth about their sex lives. The researchers found that sex decreased in frequency with age for _____ percent of their sample. a) 25 b) 50 c) 100 d) 75

c) 100

_____ is/are a thickening of the lens of the eye. a) Osteoporosis b) Macular degeneration c) Cataracts d) Glaucoma

c) Cataracts

A type of dementia that begins with impairments in motor control, but not impaired thinking is: a) frontotemporal NCD. b) vascular disease. c) Parkinson's disease. d) Alzheimer's disease.

c) Parkinson's disease.

What is the relationship between primary aging and disease? a) Primary aging serves to protect a person from diseases by strengthening immune responses. b) Diseases accelerate primary aging. c) Primary aging makes disease more likely. d) Primary aging causes a variety of diseases.

c) Primary aging makes disease more likely.

Which factor does NOT contribute to the slowing down of the brain in primary aging? a) decreased total volume of neural fluid b) reduced production of acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters c) compensation d) slower cerebral blood flow

c) compensation

The cellular-aging theory explains aging as: a) due to the body using up its allotted amount of physical energy and strength. b) the body simply wearing out from use. c) due in part to imperfections in the cell structure. d) due to particular genes being turned on.

c) due in part to imperfections in the cell structure.

The _____ is a purported mechanism in the DNA of cells that regulates the aging process by triggering hormonal changes and controlling cellular reproduction and repair. a) age calendar b) maximum life span c) genetic clock d) body clock

c) genetic clock

Which is NOT a characteristic of neurocognitive disorders? a) impairment in social and occupational functioning b) impaired problem-solving abilities c) improved memory d) mental confusion and forgetfulness

c) improved memory

Carlotta believes that all teenagers are disrespectful to adults and avoids places with teenagers for this reason. Carlotta's belief indicates that she: a) knows a lot about teenagers. b) is a mother of a teenager. c) is an ageist. d) was once a teenager herself.

c) is an ageist.

Which choice correctly pairs one of Bronfenbrenner's systems with an example, based on the textbook's discussion of selective optimization with compensation in successful aging? a) exosystem - one's sex life b) microsystem - driving c) macrosystem - driving d) microsystem - cultural technological advances

c) macrosystem - driving

Patricia is 81 years old. Like many others her age, Patricia _____ that intercourse is the only measure of sexual experience. a) believes b) does not appreciate c) rejects the idea d) is appreciative that

c) rejects the idea

What did Erik Erikson call the people he interviewed who were in their 90s to reflect their awareness of the interdependence of the generations and the human experience? a) despairers b) self-actualized humans c) social witnesses d) humanitarians

c) social witnesses

An 85-year-old man enjoys good health and actively participates in family and community activities. Gerontologists would MOST likely describe this person as being: a) oldest-old. b) ageist. c) young-old. d) old-old.

c) young-old.

Memory and retrieval strategies, selective attention, and strategies for problem solving are all _____ processes.

control

Which condition(s) produce(s) premature aging and early death? a) Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome b) Alzheimer's disease and progeria c) Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease d) Progeria

d) Progeria

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) lead to: a) Alzheimer's disease. b) priming. c) Parkinson's disease. d) insufficient oxygen in the brain tissue.

d) insufficient oxygen in the brain tissue.

Vascular disease can occur in all of these situations EXCEPT when a(n): a) elderly person has surgery under general anesthesia. b) person has repeated TIAs. c) person also has Alzheimer's disease. d) person has a brain tumor.

d) person has a brain tumor.

The term used to refer to the universal changes that happen as people age is: a) average senescence. b) normative senescence. c) ageism. d) primary aging.

d) primary aging.

During which stage of Alzheimer's disease does speech typically become aimless and repetitive? a) fourth b) fifth c) third d) second

d) second

What might make an older adult less adept at reading the emotions of others? a) difficulty processing b) attention-span impairments c) loss of memory d) sensory-input problems

d) sensory-input problems

Karen and Jack are in their late 70s and report that they have been having sex less frequently due to Jack's health. According to the text, Karen and Jack would likely find that their: a) happiness increased. b) sex life deteriorated. c) happiness decreased. d) sex life improved.

d) sex life improved.

The change in the age composition of the population is referred to as a _____.

demographic shift

Lewy body disease

excessive deposits of a particular kind of protein in their brains. Lewy bodies are also present in Parkinson's disease, but in Lewy body disease they are more numerous and dispersed throughout the brain, interfering with communication between neurons. The main symptom is loss of inhibition: A person might gamble or become hypersexual.

Why is the life review beneficial?

it can give a sense of purpose, reduce depression & anxiety

Difficulty planning, inhibiting unwanted responses, and coordinating thoughts might be seen in late adulthood due to the shrinkage of the _____ cortex with age.

prefrontal

How does sensory loss affect cognition?

sensory losses may not be recognized because the brain automatically fills in missed sights and sounds. processing information requires that sensations precede perceptions. INFORMATION MUST CROSS THE SENSORY THRESHOLD, THE DIVIDE BETWEEN WHAT IS SENSED AND WHAT IS NOT IN ORDER TO BE PERCEIVED - hearing losses are correlated with greater cognitive declines

What happens with creative ability as people grow older?

some ppl get more creative

universal design

the creation of settings and equipment that can be used by everyone, whether or not they are able-bodied and sensory-acute