Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is B. Cognitive decline; physical decline. Physical decline generally affects activities of daily living more than cognitive decline in later life, as physical capabilities decrease with age.
Step-by-step explanation:
Later in life, physical decline interferes more than cognitive decline with activities of daily living. This is because physical declines that begin in middle age continue in old age, affecting stamina, strength, reflex times, and the senses, leading to increased frailty and decreased mobility. Cognitive abilities, on the other hand, such as crystallized intelligence, may hold steady or even improve until late adulthood. Cognitive decline in areas like fluid intelligence does eventually occur, but mental and physical activity can play a part in delaying this decline. Chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer's, can cause severe cognitive impairment, but these are not a part of normal aging and can be mitigated with environmental and nutritional management. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A. Physical decline; cognitive decline.