Presentation on theme: "Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood"— Presentation transcript: 1 Cognitive Development in Late Adulthood Show
2 Black Hawk College Chapter 19 3 Black Hawk College Chapter 19
4 The Multidimensional, Multidirectional Nature of Cognition 5 Cognitive Mechanics The hardware of the mind; reflect the
neurophysiological architecture of the brain developed through evolution. Involve the speed and accuracy of the processes involving sensory input, visual and motor memory, discrimination, comparison, and categorization. Due to the strong influence of biology, heredity, and health on cognitive mechanics, their decline with age is likely. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
6 Cognitive Pragmatics The culture-based software programs of the mind. 7 Sensory/Motor and Speed of Processing
Dimensions
8 Memory Episodic Memory Semantic Memory 9 Episodic Memory The retention of information about the where and when of life’s happenings. Younger adults have better episodic memory than
older adults, even though older adults think that they can remember older events better than more recent events. Researchers have consistently found that in older adults the older the memory, the less accurate it is. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
10 Semantic Memory A person’s knowledge about the world. 11 Cognitive Resources: Working Memory and Perceptual
Speed
12 Explicit and Implicit Memory 13 Memory
Beliefs Research shows that people’s beliefs about memory play an important role in their actual memory. What people tell themselves about their ability to remember matters. Findings have shown a relationship between positive and negative beliefs about one’s memory and actual memory performance. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
14 Noncognitive Factors Health, education, and SES can influence an older adult’s performance on memory tasks. Positive aspects of these
noncognitive factors are associated less with memory decline; they do not eliminate it. Researchers have found that using more everyday life memory tasks in their studies reduces age decrements in memory but does not eliminate them. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 15
Conclusions about Memory and Aging
16 Wisdom Expert knowledge about the practical aspects of life that permits excellent judgement about important matters. Focuses
on life’s pragmatic concerns and human conditions. Research shows no age differences in wisdom. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 17 Wisdom Wisdom involves solving practical problems. 18 Education: Links to Cognitive Functioning
19 Work: Links to Cognitive Functioning 20 Work: Links to Cognitive Functioning 21 Health: Links to Cognitive Functioning 22 Health: Links to Cognitive Functioning 23 The Terminal Drop Hypothesis
24 Use It or Lose It Possibly changes in cognitive activity patterns result in disuse and consequent atrophy of cognitive
skills. In the Victoria Longitudinal Study, when middle-aged and older adults participated in intellectually engaging activities it served to buffer them against cognitive decline. The mental activities that likely benefit the maintenance of cognitive skills in older adults are reading books, doing crossword puzzles, and going to lectures and concerts. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
25 Training Cognitive Skills 26 Black Hawk College Chapter 19
27 Work In men, good health, a strong psychological commitment to work, and a distaste for retirement were the most important characteristics related to continued employment into old age. An increasing number of middle-aged and older adults are embarking on a second or third career. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
28 Work Working affords opportunities for productive activity, social interaction, and a positive identity. Cognitive ability is one of the best
predictors of job performance in the elderly. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 29 Retirement in the United States
30 Retirement in Other Countries 31 Adjustment to Retirement 32 Adjustment to Retirement 33 Black Hawk College Chapter 19
34 The Nature of Mental Health in Older Adults 35 Depression Major depression is a mood disorder in which the individual is deeply unhappy, demoralized, self-derogatory, and bored. The individual with major depression does not feel well, loses stamina easily, has a poor appetite, and is listless and unmotivated. It can result in suicidal tendencies, as nearly 25% of individuals who commit suicide in the U.S. are 65 years of age
or older. Depression is a treatable condition. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 36 Dementia The Basics of Dementia Alzheimer’s Disease 37 The Basics of Dementia Dementia is a global term for any neurological disorder in which the primary symptoms involve a deterioration of mental functioning. Individuals with dementia often lose the ability to care for themselves and may lose the ability to recognize
familiar surroundings and people. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 38 The Basics of Dementia Over seventy types or causes of dementia have been identified. It
is estimated that 20% of individuals over the age of 80 have dementia. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 39 Alzheimer’s Disease About Alzheimer’s Disease Causes and Treatments 40 About Alzheimer’s Disease
41 Causes and Treatments Efforts to identify the cause of Alzheimer’s have not yet been successful. What scientists now believe is that Alzheimer’s disease is a
complex unraveling of neural structure and function that likely involves many different molecular and cellular dimensions. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
42 Causes and Treatments The disease involves a deficiency in acetylcholine, which plays an important role in memory. The main drug
used to treat Alzheimer’s disease works by blocking chemicals that ordinarily cut acetylcholine apart. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 43 Tangles and Plaques
Tangles - tied bundles of protein that impair the functioning of neurons. Plaques - deposits that accumulate in the brain’s blood vessels. Tangle and plaque formation are a normal part of aging; however, they are much more pervasive in Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s disease may have a genetic basis in some individuals. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
44 Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
45 Stages There is a predictable, progressive decline in physical, cognitive, and
social functioning when individuals have Alzheimer’s disease. Once diagnosed, most patients live approximately 8 years. They progress from early problems of memory loss and declining intellectual function to later stages in which hospitalization in a near vegetative state ensues. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
46 Caring for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease 47 Multi-Infarct
Dementia 48 Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disease characterized by muscle tremors, slowing of movement, and partial facial paralysis. It is triggered by
degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 49 Parkinson’s Disease Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter that is necessary for normal brain functioning. Why the degeneration of the production of dopamine occurs is not known. A drug called l-dopa is the main treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Black Hawk College Chapter 19 50 Fear of Victimization
and Crime
51 Fear of Victimization and Crime
52 Elder Maltreatment Elder maltreatment is primarily carried out by family members. The
perpetrators are most likely to be male spouses. It can involve neglect or physical abuse. Elderly women also are more likely to experience property damage and robbery. In these cases, though, the perpetrator is most likely to be a young male unrelated to the victim. Black Hawk College Chapter 19
53 Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults
54 Black Hawk College Chapter 19 55 Religious Involvement
56 Benefits of Religious Involvement 57 Religion and Longevity Is a mood disorder in which the individual is deeply unhappy demoralized self derogatory and bored quizlet?A mood disorder in which the individual is deeply unhappy, demoralized, self-derogatory, and bored; called common cold of mental disorders.
What is the global term for any neurological disorder in which the primary symptoms involves a deterioration of mental functioning?Dementia is a general term that represents a group of diseases and illnesses that affect your thinking, memory, reasoning, personality, mood and behavior. The decline in mental function interferes with your daily life and activities.
What gene is linked to increasing presence of plaques and tangles in the brain?Scientists found three genetic mutations that greatly increase your early-onset Alzheimer's risk. The APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 gene mutations cause the brain to create too much beta-amyloid and tau plaques and tangles. The TREM2 mutation also prevents the brain from eliminating harmful plaques and tangles.
Which of the following is one of the most common predictors of depression in older adults?Among 56 predictors, self-perceived social isolation and self-rated poor health were the most salient risk factors for depression in middle-aged and older men and women.
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