Human Development

M1 Never too old (Age 65+0)

Physical- Life over 65 is the slowing down of physical activity; however some people are still able to do their physical activities but are limited at what they can perform. The efficiency of the body also becomes reduced making physical changes such as; circulation, breathing and the heart become weaker, organs such as the kidneys and liver become less efficient, blood vessels become more likely to burst, muscles and skin become less elastic, people become less mobile due to the muscles and joints becoming less flexible, people are more likely to develop pain, injuries and disability become more of a risk, hearing can be lost and the speed in thinking slows down.

Intellectual- At this age people begin to find solving problems and intellectual challenges more difficult, however it is said that the more an elderly person keeps active, the more alert they are. People at this age are also at risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, although the risks are higher when a person has bad health habit such as smoking. Dementia can cause a variety of disabilities such as; memory loss, problems doing everyday things, problems with recognising who people are, difficulties in communication, difficulties in controlling emotions and a difficulty in understanding what people mean.

Emotional- during old age retirement can result in a person feeling less valued than before and wondering what purpose their life can serve. For some people, the job they do is an important part of their self-concept, so retirement will be a loss. This might also bring reduced self-esteem. During this stage, the decline in abilities can result in a loss of confidence, especially if people have difficulty in caring for themselves. For some people in this life stage, there is continued companionship in a long-term partnership and continued enjoyment of a sexual relationship. However, the death of a partner is...