Successful aging is more than living a long time. It involves maintaining health and abilities, adapting psychologically, and staying socially engaged. This lesson introduces the major dimensions of successful aging and explains how healthy habits may affect health and disability in later life.
Researchers have described successful aging using several related goals: good cognitive and physical health, participation in social or productive activities, and the ability to function independently. Later accounts also emphasized longevity, avoiding disability, and subjective well-being, such as enjoying life.
All flashcards
What are the commonly identified dimensions of successful aging?
Health, physical ability, cognitive functioning, and psychological adaptation or social engagement.
How can physical fitness change in late adulthood?
It can be maintained or improved; age alone does not determine an individual's physical capacity.
What is cognitive reserve?
Characteristics that help people resist or compensate for brain changes, potentially delaying or reducing dementia symptoms.
How do dementia risk reduction and cognitive reserve differ?
Risk reduction aims to make dementia less likely; reserve concerns maintaining function despite brain changes.
How can cognitive training affect older adults?
Training may improve targeted abilities such as reasoning, episodic memory, or processing speed, with some benefits lasting over time.
Quiz questions
Which set names the four commonly identified dimensions of successful aging?Answer: Health, physical ability, cognitive functioning, and psychological adaptation or social engagement
Which combination can help predict later mobility, such as walking ability?Answer: Earlier physical ability, activity, and nutrition
What did a comprehensive review estimate about potentially modifiable dementia risk factors?Answer: About 40 percent of dementia cases were associated with such factors
What does cognitive reserve help a person do?Answer: Maintain functioning or show fewer symptoms despite brain changes
When an older adult seems confused or forgetful, why should hearing be assessed?Answer: The person may not have heard what was said, which can resemble cognitive difficulty
Based on Lifespan Development by Diana Riser, Rose Spielman, David Biek (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.