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16: Social and Emotional Development in Late Adulthood (Age 60 and Beyond)
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16.0: What Does Psychology Say?
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Research indicates that while later adulthood involves social and emotional adjustments, these changes can be positive, often leading to more free time and positive emotions. LeShaun, a sixty-two-year-old nurse considering retirement, ponders how to fill her time without work colleagues after losing her spouse. Despite concerns over loneliness, she is exploring new activities, like volunteering abroad, though her health condition poses challenges.
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16.1: The Meaning of Aging in Late Adulthood
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This section explores the social and cultural aspects of aging, examining perspectives on older age, stereotypes, and discrimination. It covers how aging relates to Erikson's integrity versus despair challenge and how self and socioemotional development evolve in late adulthood. Older adults, despite stereotypes, often maintain independence and report increased happiness.
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16.2: Contexts - Family, Friendships, Romantic Relationships, and Social Communities in Late Adulthood
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This page explores social relationships and support systems in late adulthood, discussing evolving dynamics with family, friends, and romantic partners. Key theories, including disengagement, activity, and socioemotional selectivity theories, are examined to explain changes in social networks as people age. The text further highlights differences in family roles, such as grandparents and kinkeepers, and describes how marriage, divorce, and widowhood affect older adults.
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16.3: Retirement in Late Adulthood
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The section discusses key considerations in retirement planning, such as the financial and nonfinancial factors influencing the decision to retire, styles of retirement, and common barriers. It highlights the importance of early financial planning and discusses retirement styles, including phased and bridge employment. Barriers to retirement include financial constraints, health issues, and societal changes in retirement systems.
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16.4: Living Environments and Aging in Late Adulthood
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The section covers various housing environments for older adults, emphasizing the concept of aging in place and the role of caregivers. It explores options like independent living communities, assisted living, and nursing homes, considering the benefits and concerns of each. The financial implications and safety considerations are also discussed. The information highlights the challenges and resources in maintaining older adults' independence and socialization.
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16.5: Successful Social and Emotional Aging in Late Adulthood
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The page discusses successful emotional and social aging, emphasizing the importance of optimism, social support, and spiritual contentment in psychosocial well-being. It highlights the roles of resilience and gratitude in emotional aging, noting that older adults typically show increased life satisfaction. Theories like the selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) framework outline strategies for maintaining high functioning despite physical declines.
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16.6: Key Terms
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This page provides a glossary of terms and concepts related to aging, retirement, and elder care. It includes definitions of various retirement plans such as 401(k) and pension plans, theories of aging like activity and disengagement theories, and concepts such as aging in place and bridge employment. It also covers aspects of caregiving, social networks, and emotional aspects of aging, along with explanations of assisted living, adult daycare, and other eldercare facilities.
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16.7: Summary
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16.8: Review Questions
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16.9: Check Your Understanding Questions
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16.10: Personal Application Questions
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16.11: Essay Questions
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