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Physical Abilities in Old Age Life Expectancy • Functional Age- Actual competence and performance – Young-old – Old-old • Life expectancy- # years one is expected to live. • 2003: 77.5 (74.8 vs. 80.1) • Infant mortality and death rates Variations on Life Expectancy • Women: 4 to7 years longer • Other influential factors: SES, Ethnicity, Nationality – Why? Infant mortality, lifethreatening disease, povertylinked stress, violent death (in lowSES minority groups in US) Variations on Life Expectancy • Active Lifespan- vigorous, healthy life – U.S. behind-heart disease, highfat diet, inferior health policies for aged. – In developing nations-less than 50 years Life Expectancy in Late Adulthood • Medical advances and improved life conditions those aged 65 and over has increased • Add 18 additional years to life – Contrast to life expectancy? • Over age 100, gender gap disappears • Age 85 and ethnic minority groups – Life expectancy cross-over • Hereditary vs. Environment – Long lived ancestors – Twin studies Maximum Lifespan • Genetic limit to length of life, free of external risk factors • Avg: 85 years, • longest-lived: 122 • Lifespan of other species have been stretched- Human genetic limit? • Notable cause in finding out? Physical ChangesNervous System • Brain weight declines across adulthood – Greater increase after age 60 • As much as 10% by 80 • As much as 20% by 90. – Death of neurons and enlargement of ventricles Physical ChangesNervous System • Neuron loss occurs in varying rates depending on region • Visual, auditory, and motor areas: up to 50% die • Parts of cortex (frontal lobe): far less change • Cerebellum (balance and coordination): ~25% • Glial cells decrease: diminished efficiency of CNS Physical ChangesNervous System • Overcoming declines • Neural fiber growth: same as middleaged • Neurons establish new synaptic connections • Exercise increases blood circulation to the brain: helps preserve structures and neuronal growth Physical ChangesNervous System • Autonomic Nervous System – Life support functions – Elderly: heat waves and cold spells – Releases higher levels of stress hormones arouse the body tissues that are less responsive Sensory Systems • See text- Focus on Vision, Hearing, and Smell Sleep • Older adults need less sleep than younger adults-T or F? • More difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, sleeping deeply – Begins after 30-men, after 50-women • Timing changes- early to bed, early to rise • Changes in brain structures, increased stress hormones Sleep • Why do men experience more sleep problems than women? – Enlarged prostrate gland constricts urethral tubes – More sleep apnea • 30-50% have 20 episodes or more/night – “restless legs”