Modifying Factors: Aging

Trends

• Demographics
• Over 75 is largest growing segment of the population
• Moving toward 20% over 65 in the next 20 - 30 years
• Living healthier
• Living with disabilities longer
• Chronological vs. biological vs. historic age
• Last half of the life span:

• Middlescence - (50-65)
• Old Age (65-85)
• Very Old Age (85+)

• Most pure age related differences in performance come into play after 75 years of age.

Anthropometric differences

• Static - smaller body sizes, postural differences
• Dynamic - reduced range of motion
• Larger proportion of women in this age group

Biomechanics

• Reduced stamina
• Reduced strength
• Altered gait
• Pain in movement

Perception

• Reduced sensory reception abilities
• Slowness of reaction and response
• Differences in attention level

Cognition

• Divided attention a major problem
• Lower threshold of cognitive load
• Compensatory strategies - cautiousness

Web Site for Further Research:

Social Gerontology

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