What Declines In Middle Adulthood?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Aging speeds up during middle adulthood (ages 40–65) and is characterized by decline

in vision, hearing, and immune-system functioning

, as well as the end of reproductive capability for women, known as menopause.

Which sense declines most in middle adulthood?

These types of memory are affected by aging differently. For instance, sensory and working memory remain relatively the same during middle adulthood, while

long-term memory

is more likely to decline in some individuals.

What are the changes in middle adulthood?

Normal Physiological Changes in Middle Adulthood. There are a few primary biological physical changes in midlife. There are

changes in vision, hearing, more joint pain, and weight gain

(Lachman, 2004). Vision is affected by age.

What are some of the physical declines in middle and late adulthood?

Middle adulthood extends from the 40s to the 60s (Figure 1). Physical decline is gradual. The skin loses some elasticity, and

wrinkles

are among the first signs of aging. … The skin continues to lose elasticity, reaction time slows further, and muscle strength diminishes.

What skills diminishes in middle adulthood?

The

cognitive mechanics of processing speed

, often referred to as fluid intelligence, physiological lung capacity, and muscle mass, are in relative decline. However, knowledge, experience and the increased ability to regulate our emotions can compensate for these loses.

What are the 3 stages of adulthood?

The stages of adulthood examined here include:

Early Adulthood

(ages 22–34), Early Middle Age (ages 35–44), Late Middle Age (ages 45–64), and Late Adulthood (ages 65 and older).

What age group is middle adulthood?

Middle age is the period of age beyond young adulthood but before the onset of old age. Though the exact range is disputed, most sources place middle adulthood

between the ages of 45-65

. This phase of life is marked by gradual physical, cognitive, and social changes in the individual as they age.

What is the first sense to decline as we age?


The sense of smell

is often taken for granted, that is until it deteriorates. As we get older, our olfactory function declines. Not only do we lose our sense of smell, we lose our ability to discriminate between smells.

What is the first sense to go?


Touch

.

Touch

is thought to be the first sense that humans develop, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Touch consists of several distinct sensations communicated to the brain through specialized neurons in the skin.

What are the two most common chronic disorders in late adulthood?

The two most common chronic conditions in the elderly are

high blood pressure and arthritis

, with diabetes, coronary heart disease, and cancer also being reported at high rates among the elderly population.

What is physical development in middle adulthood?

Middle adulthood, or middle age, is the time of life between ages 40 and 65. During this time, people experience many physical changes that signal that the person is aging, including

gray hair and hair loss, wrinkles and age spots, vision and hearing loss, and weight gain

, commonly called the middle age spread.

What are physical changes in adulthood?

By the time we reach early adulthood, our physical maturation is complete, although our height and weight may increase slightly. Those in their early twenties are probably at the peak of their physiological development, including

muscle strength, reaction time, sensory abilities, and cardiac functioning

.

What are the social changes in late adulthood?

Social Factors In Late Adulthood

With retirement come

significant changes in time and type of leisure activities

, such as continuing education and volunteering. Retirement also brings a shifting of roles within the home and social system. Many older adults are in long-term marriages.

What characterizes friendships in middle adulthood?

In midlife, generally defined as the period between young adulthood and old age,

friendships provide affection, companionship, understanding, and social support and therefore contribute to well-being

.

Does intelligence decline in middle adulthood?


Fluid intelligence seems to decline with age

, while crystallized intelligence remains steady with age, sometimes even improving ( Ghisletta, 2012. … Two thirds of the age based changes in fluid and crystallized intelligence, perceptual speed, and memory in adulthood are shared.

What is cognitive changes in middle adulthood?

While memorization skills and perceptual speed both start to decline in young adulthood,

verbal abilities

, spatial reasoning, simple math abilities and abstract reasoning skills all improve in middle age. Cognitive skills in the aging brain have also been studied extensively in pilots and air-traffic controllers.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.