OLD AGE

Characteristics:

1. Old age is a period of decline - decline comes partly from physical and
partly from psychological factors. There is change in body cells due to the
aging process. Unfavorable attitude towards one self and life in general can
lead to decline or become depressed and disorganized. Motivation plays a
very important role in decline.

2. There are individual differences in the effects of aging. People age

differently because they have different hereditary endowment, different
socio economic and educational backgrounds and different patterns of
living. The general rule is physical aging precedes mental aging.

3. Old age is judged by different criteria - age is judged in terms of physical

appearance and activities. One who has white hair is labeled as old. There
are many who try to cover up their aging symptoms to create illusion that
they are not yet old.

4. There are many stereotypes of old people - let it be the folklore, the media,
poetry, fiction, jokes or different forms of humor or scientific studies, all
portray the aged as those who are worn out physically and mentally,
unproductive, accident - prone, hard to live, days of usefulness are over,
should be pushed aside to make way for younger people.

Developmental Task
  The period after retirement has to be filled with new projects, but is characterized 
by few valid cultural guidelines.

 Adaptation to retirement involves both potential gains self­actualization and 
losses loss of self­esteem. 

 Reduced income.

Physical Changes and Health:

Aging in the body

- Older skin is less elastic and thinner and is therefore more prone to
developing wrinkles.
- Heart also gets slower as you age.
- Bones shrink over time and lose density, which makes them more
susceptible to breakage.
- Lose an inch or two of height as their spine shrinks slightly.
- Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions

Aging in the brain

­ Brain actually shrinks as you age.

- Cognitive changes are mild and do not greatly affect daily
life.
- Short-term memory does show noticeable changes as we
age.
- Slower reaction times and reduced-problem solving are also
side effects to cognitive aging.
Personal and Social adjusments:
­ Acceptance of traditional belief and cultural stereotypes about old people.
­ Flexible and develops new coping skills to adapt to the changes

Sources:

https://www.brainkart.com/article/Characteristics-of-old-age_2121/

https://medicine.jrank.org/pages/457/Developmental-Tasks-Adulthood-old-age.html

https://www.audicus.com/body-aging/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1949.51.4.02a00250