ELDER DEVELOPMENTELDER DEVELOPMENT

Human DevelopmentCollege of Public and Community Service

University of Massachusetts at Boston©2009 William Holmes

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ELDER PHYSICAL CHANGESELDER PHYSICAL CHANGES

Physical decline before cognitive decline

Onset varies widelyLoss of indivisible cellsAccumulation of genetic

errorsMitochondrial energy lossCumulative disease

effects

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ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 1ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 1

VisionHearingTouch (including

pain receptors)Neural responseLung functionDigestion

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ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 2ELDER PHYSICAL DECLINE: 2

BonesDentistryReproductionHeartGastourinary StaminaWhite-matter lesions

increase

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COGNITIVE CHANGESCOGNITIVE CHANGES

Slower thinkingMore knowledge/wisdomReduced

perception/awarenessIncreased distractibilityMore gestalt awarenessAffected by educationRelated to “metabolic

syndrome”

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ELDER DIMENTIA: 1ELDER DIMENTIA: 1

• Dietary factors• Drug interaction• Environmental stimulation• Brain lesions• Natural brain decay

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ELDER DIMENTIA: 2ELDER DIMENTIA: 2

• High blood pressure• Low blood pressure• Alzheimer's• Alcohol damage• Substance abuse

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REASONS FOR ELDER ABUSE AND REASONS FOR ELDER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATIONEXPLOITATION

PaybackFinancial gainStress responseBurnoutFalse expectationsInadequate system

response

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ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 1ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 1

FinancialPersonal careShoppingSocial interaction/

participationCreativity

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ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 2ELDER INDEPENDENCE: 2

Family tiesFriendsNeighborhood

environmentExerciseGene therapy

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ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 1DEVELOPMENT: 1

Gender roles—crossover and discontinuity

Sexuality—desire, impotency, loveFamilial relationsCaretaking

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ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL ELDER PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 2DEVELOPMENT: 2

EmploymentLeisureActivity versus disengagementIntegrity versus despair

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