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- Aging is not a disease, but rather a natural biological process.
- There are two explanations for the declines that occur during aging.
- Genetic preprogramming theories of aging suggest that human cells have a built-in time limit to their reproduction.
- Wear-and-tear theories suggest that the mechanical functions of the body simply stop working efficiently as people age.
- Evidence exists to support both the genetic preprogramming and wear-and-tear views.
- Current research suggests that functioning declines less with age than had once been thought.
- Even when changes in intellectual functioning do occur during late adulthood, people often are able to compensate for any decline.
- Most evidence suggests that memory change is not an inevitable part of the aging process.
- Memory declines during late adulthood, affecting particular types of memory.
- Declines in episodic memories can often be traced to changes in the lives of older adults.
- Senility is a broad, imprecise term typically applied to older adults who experience progressive deterioration of mental abilities.
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