Question

PHYSICAL CHANGES: The Senses and Other Bodily Organs in late adulthood

1. ____ increases.
2. ____ to eyes decreases, enlarging the "____" and reducing the _____.
3. _____ - 17% of elderly US population. Lens inside the eye becomes clouded.

Answer 1

Late adulthood brings a decline in sensory function and bodily organs. Hearing sensitivity to high frequencies increases, the blind spot enlarges with field of vision reducing, and cataracts affect vision due to clouding of the eye's lens. These changes are part of the aging process.

Step-by-step explanation:

In late adulthood, typically beginning in the mid-60s, individuals experience various physical changes including a decline in sensory functions and other bodily organs. Specifically:

1. Sensitivity to high frequencies in hearing increases.
2. Adaptation to eyes decreases, enlarging the 'blind spot' and reducing the field of vision.
3. Cataracts - This condition affects approximately 17% of the elderly US population, where the lens inside the eye becomes clouded, impacting vision.

During this stage of life, the senses including smell, taste, hearing, and vision, which are highly functional in our twenties, significantly decline. Other changes may include muscle strength diminishment, slower reaction times, and potential cognitive challenges such as memory loss or more serious conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. While individual experiences may vary due to genetics and lifestyle factors, these trends are common and constitute a normal process of aging. Understanding these changes can help manage expectations and find appropriate support and resources.