15.1 Physical Aging in Late Adulthood

Possible causes to explain why people physically age focus on the effects of stress hormones, telomeres, free radicals, bodily wear and tear, and genetic variability.
Muscle and bone mass decline throughout much of adulthood but more noticeably in later years.
Declines in sensory functions such as vision and hearing may be problematic in later life.
Several changes to the brain have been linked to decreased cognitive functioning in older age.
Exercise plays an important role in minimizing age-related declines in muscle mass, bone mass, and cognitive ability.

15.2 Health Risks in Late Adulthood

The likelihood of dealing with one or more chronic health problems increases with age.
Chronic health conditions represent the majority of the leading causes of death, especially in countries with higher incomes and more access to health care.
While the prevalence of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety decreases in later adulthood, many older adults still experience serious mental health problems.
Countries have vastly different ways of funding health care and amounts individuals typically pay out of pocket.

Several cognitive abilities, such as processing speed, fluid intelligence, short-term and working memory, and episodic memory, decline in late adulthood.
Other cognitive abilities, such as crystallized intelligence, implicit memory, semantic memory, and sometimes wisdom, increase or remain stable in late adulthood.
Trends in the maintenance or decline of cognitive skills depend on factors such as age, sex, and the nature of skills being assessed.

Dementia is a general term to describe a wide variety of conditions that all include damage to the brain.
While getting an accurate and specific diagnosis related to dementia is challenging, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, followed by vascular dementia.
Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease tends to be genetic with a more rapid progression, while late-onset occurs over age sixty-five years but becomes more common over age eighty years, with a slower progression.
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease brings increased impairment of cognitive skills, eventually affecting other behaviors such as self-care skills and language.

Successful aging relies on maintaining health, physical functioning, cognitive functioning, social involvement, increased longevity, and enjoyment of life.
A healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and engagement in cognitively challenging activities across the lifespan decrease the likelihood of experiencing physical disability and health problems in later life.
Most older adults, even at very old ages, avoid significant cognitive declines associated with dementia, which is also evidence of successful cognitive aging.