HDF 314 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Response Bias, Disengagement Theory, Social Constructionism

• School: URI
• Department: Human Development and Family Studies
• Course: HDF 314
• Professor: Clark Phillip

Document Summary

3 different (cid:498)old age(cid:499) groups: young-old (ages 65-74, mid old (ages 75-84, oldest old (ages 85+) Dependency ratios calculated as old people divided by children under age of 18 (how many people are working to help and care for older people. Biological aging: menopause, changes in hormones, metabolism, weight gain, weaker immune system, sensory changes. Psychological aging: memory loss, mental processing slows, nerve impulses slow. Social aging: role changes, widowhood, retirement. Interdisciplinary approach: study of normal aging process social science. Geriatrics: medical practice for the health conditions and diseases of the elderly. Wear and tear: preprogrammed biological clock, deterioration accelerated by external stress, cells wear out and cannot be replaced. Autoimmune theory: immune system becomes defective and attacks the body, consistent with increased risk for diseases like cancer. Cross-linkage theory: changes in collagen with age, these changes affect most major organ systems, muscles, blood vessels, skin (wrinkles)