Stages of Adulthood
Young adulthood: Ages 19-40
 Develop intimacy; close personal
relationships
 Middle adulthood: Ages 40-65
 Develop a sense of having contributed to
society
 Late adulthood: Ages 65 – death
 13.3% of population (2011)
 Goal is to feel satisfied with his/her life
 Tries to understand purpose of his/her life

Young Adulthood
Marriage??
 Parenthood??

Middle Adulthood
Health concerns (eyesight, hearing,
bones, heart disease, diabetes (type 1
or type 2), cancer, etc.)
 Physical transitions (menopause)
 Mental transitions
 Emotional transitions
 Social transitions

Late Adulthood
Health concerns (eyesight, hearing,
bones, heart disease, osteoporosis
cancer, etc.)
 Physical transitions
 Mental transitions
 Emotional transitions
 Social transitions
 Financial Planning

Gerontology
Branch of science dealing with aging &
problems of the aging population
 Gerontologists – people who study
aging
 Geriatrics – branch of medicine that
deals with the problems & diseases of
old age/aging people

Mental Aspects of Aging
Dementia – the loss of mental functions
such as thinking, memory, and reasoning
that is severe enough to interfere with a
person’s daily functioning
 Alzheimer’s disease – most common
form of dementia (4.5 million Americans
suffer)
 The main cause of death for the elderly is
long term disorders

Caring for the elderly
Nursing home – usually for the elderly who
need assistance
 Adult day care – similar to child day care
 Retirement communities – age minimum;
smaller homes (one floor); for active,
healthy adults
 In-home care – ramps; increased lighting;
expanded door ways; lower cabinets
 Hospice – program that helps the dying
patient and family members

Elder Abuse
The abuse or neglect of older family
members
 Can occur both within the family and in
institutional settings (nursing homes)
 Physical, emotional, sexual or financial
abuse

Types of Elderly Mistreatment

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Neglect – caregiver fails to provide care &
services which threatens health
Abuse – physical, emotional, or sexual
Exploitation – misusing or stealing financial
resources/funds
Abandonment – desertion of an older adult
by a caretaker
Most of the mistreatment/elderly abuse
occurs at home by family members
Characteristics & Signs of Elderly
Mistreatment
 Bruises,
broken bones, abrasions
 Poor hygiene
 Malnourished/dehydrated
 Over/under medicated
 Anxious
 Timid
 Depressed
 Seldom seen/never seen
 Missing glasses, dentures, hearing
aids, etc.
Older Adult Protective Service Act
Established in 1988
 Provides protective services to those
elderly people who seem to be in danger
or harm
 60 or older
 Must be lacking in responsibility,
incapacitated, or at risk or danger
