Lesson 36: Aging and Late Life Demographics

Attention

It is often difficult for us to consider our aging parents as sexual beings...let alone our grandparents. But sexuality continues through the lifespan in one form of another. One seminar that I attended compared the issues with aging sexuality with that of aging individuals who want to ride a bicycle.

The reasons a person could not ride a bicycle (or have sex) are...

They are not physically able to ride a bicycle
They think they look silly riding a bicycle
They don't have a bicycle handy

Click HERE to download a short publication on Sexuality in Later Life from the National Institute on Aging

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify factors which contribute to how long someone lives

Teaching

So, how long do you want to live? 75? 80? 120? Forever?

Developmental Psychologists study aging patterns across the globe. How LONG someone lives is called "Longevity" and is determined by genetic and environmental factors.

The Average Life Expectancy is a statistic that determines the age at which 1/2 of the people born in a particular year will be still alive.

life expectancy in the US

Genetic and Environmental Factors

  • Family with a long history of long-lived individuals
  • Low family history of disease
  • Toxins
  • Lifestyle
  • Social class
  • Access to goods and services
  • Access to medical care

Gender Differences

Women's longevity is about 5 years more than men's.

Categories of "Old"

  • Young Old = 60-80 (Third Age)
  • Old Old = 80+ (Fourth Age)
  • "good news" vs "bad news"

Why do we age?

Review the video "Never Say Die", an episode of Scientific American Frontiers. You can watch this episode on line and/or download a transcript by clicking HERE.

Assessment

Lesson 36 Discussion

Review the video "Never Say Die" or read the transcript. Many of the scientists interviewed in this show are trying to research ways to extend the lifespan. How long would you really want to live? Why? What ethical issues arise when we begin to artificially extend the lifespan? Is this work any different than work to reduce illness and disease (which also artificially extends the lifespan)?