Later Adulthood Development

Daniel Levinson depicts the late adulthood period as those years that encompass age 65 and beyond. Other developmental psychologists further divide later adulthood into young-old (ages 65–85) and old-old (ages 85 and beyond) stages. Today, 13 percent of the population is over the age of 65, compared with 3 percent at the beginning of this century. This dramatic increase in the demographics of older adulthood has given rise to the discipline of gerontology, or the study of old age and aging. Gerontologists are particularly interested in confronting ageism, or prejudice and discrimination against older adults.

In middle adulthood there are many changes that occur physically, psychologically, and socially as explained in the above passages. Yet, some say that this is the best time of their life, they experience enhanced self-confidence, great sex lives, career success, and enhanced brain functions. Middle age adults are better equipped to make better life choices and decisions and not worry so much about the negative parts of life. Their problem solving skills are greater which allows them to reason more creatively. They are able to enjoy sex freely without the worries of getting pregnant and they feel more confident with their partners. In general they are happier about life and look forward to enjoying the rest of their lives.

The following essay will use a lifespan perspective to discuss how major transitions can influence both occupational and personal development. Using occupation as a coping strategy during stressful transitions will also be explored. The narrative discussed was derived from an informal, semi-structured interview. Occupational development will explore how the meanings associated with occupations can change and how this can be reflective of their current life-stage. The essay will begin with an outline of the precautions taken to maintain the interviewee’s confidentiality. This will be followed by a brief explanation of the lifespan and occupational models that will be used throughout the essay. A summary of the interviewee’s narrative will then be provided. This will be expanded upon by using lifespan theories.

Elderly people physically slow down and have lower energy levels. There are changes in the body systems and organs that can usually result in all types of

Growth and development is an essential part of the life cycle, which leads to the occurrence of different phases like childhood, teenage and late adulthood. Aging is the period which is characterized by the onset of personal, cognitive and social changes. They feel hard to adjust the changes. Like rest of the world, the US also falls in the list of countries which have the highest population of elderly people. According to the Population Reference Bureau report, Americans ages 65 and older has projected to increase more than double from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060, and the 65-and-older age group’s share of the total population will rise to nearly 24 percent from 15 percent (Mark Mather). The

Worldwide, with increase in life expectancy more women and men are experiencing the role of grandparent and length of occupancy in the role is increasing (Armstrong, 2003). However in America, after age 75, about 9 percent have difficulty carrying out activities of daily living (Berk, 2010). When considering the cultural approach of aging in late adulthood, we see that aging adults are treated differently depending on what community or cultural background they originated from. With the increase in life expectancy, many opportunities had been provided to psychologists to conduct research and practice with aging adults (APA, 2003). This has enabled many researchers to study aging in the United States and other countries. With those

The US population is beginning to see a significant growth in the proportion of Americans who are 65 and older. In 2011 the first of the baby boomers began entering the age of 65. The last of the baby boomers will turn 65 in 2030, and it is projected that one in every five Americans will be elderly at that time (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013; Ortman, Velkoff & Hogan, 2014). Also adding to the reason for the increase in proportion of aging individuals in the population is the declines in fertility and the dramatic increases in longevity, which means the number of generations of a family alive at one time has continued to increase. At each stage of the life the post war baby boomers, because of the sheer size of the group,

As adults enter the stage of later adulthood, many changes will begin to develop for each person. The aging process includes transitioning from work life to retirement, changes to roles, social positions, social policies, determining living accommodations with healthcare needs, and relationships with families and peers. The stage known as the golden years comes with great challenges while adjusting to the many changes in a person’s life. (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2010). Transition from work to retirement

Transitioning to adulthood is considered a period of life when young people are faced with trials of becoming part of the adult world. For some young people, this is a time to grow, an opportunity to spread their wings, and navigate through an exciting life. However, for others, the burdens that accompany the task of growing-up may be overpowering. Some may find themselves at odds and feel overwhelmed while pursuing their goals, although motivated to do so. Also, they may lack the resources or find themselves underprepared to meet the challenges that accompany those goals. Important questions come to mind when I think about young adults within today’s society: why does it seem that today's

Social aging is referring to the changes in individual’s roles and relationship in the society as they age. There are many different theories concerning sociological aging. Social theories on aging examine the relationship between individual experiences and social institutions e.g., aging and retirement; aging and institutional care; aging and government policy etc (Barkan 2012). All have limitations, and some can be considered more than others when attempting to understand social changes in aging. Also individuals move through life surrounded by social support system. Some theories of aging such as, role theory, activity theory, modernization, etc. consist of different ways older adults transition through life such as, networks of relatives, friends, and organization that help provide emotional support and help in managing activities in daily living.

As our age moves up in years and we become senior citizens we slowdown in productivity and begin to re-explore life as

As a person lives life, they grow. In this particular development, they start to understand and see the world in a different way. These stages of maturing in life can be simply broken up into two groups; adulthood and childhood. Children tend to worry mostly about themselves, but they, in time, learn how to consider others feelings and views when performing an action. Typically, adults are almost completely controlled by thoughts and feelings of the world around them. The stages a person goes through during this "growing up" time are necessary for a person to mature "correctly". As Sally states, "a child is an apprentice to freedom, that is, the child is guided through the development of his or her freedom until he or she is ready to assume it in adolescence and adulthood" (Scholz 395) Most children think it would be better to skip childhood and go straight to adulthood, but what they don 't know is, that it 's important for them to be a child before they become an adult. It 's funny because the way a person lives in these changes of life are completely different, but can strangely be very similar. These differences and similarities can be seen in an individual 's innocence, their experience, and their imagination.

Postformal thought is thinking that problems encountered by adults must be solved in ways that relate to the issue at hand.

Late adulthood begins after the age of 65 and it is characterized by the areas of development in psychological aspects, cognitive aspects as well as emotional aspects. Not only have the physical changes begun to demonstrate the deterioration of a person and its bodily functions but also the mental changes begin to occur as soon as the person proceeds towards his culmination of life span. The concept of death is deeply connected with late adulthood as it culminates the life span of an adult which is controlled and programmed naturally. As compared to past centuries, people have acquired a greater life span in recent years thanks to the treatments and diagnosis they receive on time for their certain illnesses. In the past, these facilities were not readily available to every senior adult as they are now. They are surviving longer because of early diagnosis and treatment. If this life expectancy continues for the next generation the life expectancy is expected to increase to as normal as hundred years of age of every newborn child. If an adult is successfully spending a full, non-disabled life after reaching late adulthood he or she is considered to be healthy which must have a contribution of healthy eating and avoiding narcotics and alcohol for a significant amount of time. This must have also imposed a significant effect on the well-being of the person. As much as they affect the physicality of a person, it affects their psychology too. Aging begins in the body irrespective

Throughout the Human Behavior and the Social Environment course, we have encompassed the many stages of the life cycle process. Now that I am twenty two years old, I found the early adulthood stage to be the most influential, and the most sensible one to relate to given the point that I am at in my life. More importantly, I decided to research and apply this life cycle stage to a variety of milestones, experienced by my interviewee, Chelsie. Living just houses apart, being raised by single fathers, Chelsie and I found that we had many things in common. We have remained friends since we were children, and have only grown to be closer into our early adulthood years.