85 Plus: Living Independently

Slide 1 of 14: Synopsis

Human Development Video Activity
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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
identity
In terms of an object, the concept that an object remains the same even if certain characteristics about it change. In terms of a person, the consistent collection of physical and mental characteristics that define an individual as unique.
selective optimization with compensation
The model for successful aging proposed by Paul and Margaret Baltes that explains how individuals work toward the maximization of their strengths and a minimization of their losses as they age. The model describes how those who age in a healthy and productive manner are likely (1) to select areas in which they would like to focus their resources (i.e. set goals), (2) to optimize, or focus, their available resources toward achieving their goals, and (3) to compensate for the inevitable physical and cognitive losses of aging by rerouting their resources to emphasize their strengths or adjusting their goals so that success is attainable.
Elderly woman playing the piano

Author

Catherine Robertson, Grossmont College

Synopsis

The fastest growing segment of our population is people over the age of 85, often referred to as the old-old. You may or may not know people of this age, so this activity will provide an in-depth look at some of those in this segment of the population. After an overview of this age group, you will meet three healthy, active people who are approaching their 100th year.

References

Baltes, P. (1998). Theoretical propositions of life span developmental psychology: On the dynamics between growth and decline. In M. Lawton (Ed.) Essential papers on the psychology of aging. New York: New York University Press.

Hitt, R., Young-Xu, Y., Silver, M., & Perts, T. (1999). Centenarians: The older you get, the healthier you have been. Lancet, 354, 652.

Hobbs, F., & Stoops, M. (2002) Demographic trends in the twentieth century. U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau. Available at http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/censr-4.pdf

National Institutes of Health (1999, June 16), NIH News Release. New Census Report shows exponential growth in number of Centenarians. Available at: http://www.nih.gov.news/pr/jun;99/nia-16.htm

Perlmutter, M., Kaplan, M., & Nyquist, L. (1990). Development of adaptive competence in adulthood. Human Development, 33, 185–197.