Behavioral Science

CHAPTER 3
Late Stages of Life:
Aging, Death, and
Bereavement
AGING
What percentage of the US population 15%
will be 65 years and older by the
year 2020?
Which is the fastest growing age group
in the United States today?
What is the average life expectancy in
the United States?
What factors within a population can
have an effect on differences in life
expectancy?
How are the life expectancies changing
in regard to different ethnic groups?
What physical changes are associated
with aging?
85 years and older
77 years
Gender (females tend to live longer than
males; an average difference of 7 years)
Race (whites tend to live longer than
blacks)
White female (80 years) > black female
(74 years) = white male (74 years) >
black male (66 years)
Males and African Americans are living
longer, thus the gap between them and
the longest living (white female) is
decreasing.
Sensory: impaired vision and hearing
Visceral: decreased pulmonary, renal,
and gastrointestinal function
Extremities: increased fat deposits,
osteoporosis, and decreased muscle
mass and strength
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