Essay Quiz


1			Your next-door neighbor is an 87-year-old woman who knows you have been taking a class in life-span development. She confides that she feels she is slowing down and can't quite do the things she used to do. Even more troubling, she feels that her doctors do not take the time to listen to her; they just say, "Rose, you're in great shape for a woman your age." What can you tell Rose about "normal" developmental changes that occur in late adulthood? What advice can you give Rose to maintain optimal physical functioning?




2			Senior College is a venue that offers opportunities for learning in retirement; the goal behind Senior College is to stimulate continuing education throughout the lifespan. You have been asked to create a basic computer class for your local Senior College. The class needs to cover basic computer skills (i.e., turning on the computer, using the mouse, etc.) and applications (i.e., Internet, word processing, e-mail, etc.). Using your knowledge of development in late adulthood, how will you design your course? What special considerations or approaches do you need to take into consideration when working with this student population? Be sure to consider the unique physical and cognitive challenges of aging adults.




3			Your parents have started worrying about getting older and the effect that will have on their ability to take care of themselves and retain their cognitive functioning. Already they notice that they are forgetting more than they did even a year or two ago. What can you tell them about cognitive changes in late adulthood and how best to hold onto their mental faculties?




4			Your mother is CEO of a large corporation that offers an excellent retirement package. However, after evaluating a survey conducted of the employees, she is now concerned that relatively few employees have made any plans for their retirement. Because you are taking a life-span development class, she has asked you to talk to her employees about retirement. Specifically, what advice can you provide to help them plan for retirement? What does the research say about strategies for ensuring a happy, satisfying retirement?




5			While talking to a friend about your greatest fears, your friend states "My greatest fear in life is getting old. I don't want to be old, crazy, and confused. I just hope that I die young so that I don't have to suffer all the dementia that comes with aging." How would you respond to your friend? What can you tell him about the research on aging, dementia, and mental health that will ease his fears?




6			One of the greatest myths about senior citizens discussed in the chapter is the idea that older people don't and/or shouldn't have sex. Based on your reading of this material, what would you say to a person who thinks that sex between older adults is distasteful? Make sure to cite relevant information, including statistics, that speaks to both the positive and challenging aspects of senior sexuality.

Your Results:

E-mail Your Results