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Late Adulthood

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Late adult hood (old age) is generally considered to being at 65 years old. Erik Erikson suggests this time in life is important to find meaning and satisfaction rather than becoming bitter and disillusioned. Late adult hood (old age) is generally considered to being at 65 years old. Erik Erikson suggests at this time in life it is important to find meaning and satisfaction rather than becoming bitter and disillusioned. However this is a time when people start declining physically and mentally. We have seen that, over the course of their lives, most individuals are able to develop secure attachments; reason cognitively, socially and morally. They also create families and find appropriate careers. As people enter into their 60s and beyond, the aging process leads to faster changes in their physical, cognitive, and social capabilities and needs. People tend to reach the peak of their physical strength and endurance during their twenties and then gradually decline, in later adulthood, a variety of physiological changes start to occur, including some degree of atrophy of the brain and a decrease in the rate of neural process. The respiratory and circulatory system are less efficient, bone mass diminishes, especially in women, leading to osteoporosis. The muscles become weaker unless exercise programs are followed. The skin dries and become less flexible. Hair loss will start to occur in both men and women, there is also a decrease in the sensory modalities, including tasted, touch, hearing and vision. Despite the fact that the body and mind are slowing, older adults can maintain an active lifestyle, remain as happy or are happier than when they were younger, and increasingly value their social connections with family and friends. Many older people continue to be sexually active, though the frequency and intensity of sexual experience are generally

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