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