WHAT ARE COMMON AGE-ASSOCIATED
PHYSICAL CHANGES?
American Psychological Association
Table of Contents
Why Practitioners Need Information
Normal age-associated changes typically occur gradually over time.
- Hearing impairment in older adults is often mild or moderate, but it is widespread. In 1990, 48 percent of men 75 years and over and 37 percent of women (noninstitutionalized) had problems with hearing.
- Visual changes include problems with reading speed, seeing in dim light, reading scrolling or other externally paced displays, reading small print, and locating objects visually.
- Reaction time is typically slower among older adults, particularly for more complex tasks.
- The probability of having multiple chronic conditions increases with age. Common comorbidities include arthritis, hypertension, cataracts, heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
- Although estimates vary, the proportion of older adults needing personal assistance with everyday activities increases with age (e.g., 9 percent of those aged 65-69 and up to 50 percent of those aged 85 or older). After age 65, a greater proportion of women than men become disabled.
- Despite common physical difficulties, three-fourths of community dwelling people aged 65 to 74 report their health to be good, very good, or excellent compared with others their age, as do two-thirds of noninstitutionalized persons 75 years and over.
- The top five causes of death among older adults are heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
