Late adulthood is the ending age of the life span. It is referred to as the age when the body starts deteriorating physically and mentally. It starts at the age of 65, and it has some distinct characteristic features. The most significant changes caused due to late adulthood are in the physical condition of a person’s body. Many problems like chronic pain, joints and bones, dental issues, hearing problems and sexual activity are all affected negatively by this age. The body is no longer able to bear the physical stresses that it was once capable of. The skin starts to lose elasticity and becomes drier.
Late adulthood has an adverse impact on mental health. The human brain is more prone to mental diseases like Alzheimer’s, short-term memory and depression makes it hard for a person to live a satisfactory life. A person becomes rigid and stubborn, denying any positive change in their life. Brain plasticity is also affected. It is the ability of the brain to decide what information is worth storing and what can be discarded. This is the reason that many old people fail to recall any important event, but at the same time, they remember something that is of the least importance.
Aging is the standard feature of life, but the effects change from person to person. Many of the old people find it hard to adapt to the society. They find their interests different from other people, and they start preferring beds over parties. They develop a strong desire to stay young, due to which they start taking medicines. These medications, in turn, cause further physical and mental impairment. This is because the immune system of the body is substantially damaged, making the body prone to numerous physical diseases.
Reference
Arnett, J. J. (2014). Emerging Adulthood. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199929382.001.0001
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