• It is characterized by decline and loss:
loss of physical health
Loss of lifelong partners and friends
Loss of mental capacity
Loss of creativity
Loss of social roles
• Later adulthood is still the least studied portion of the life course
• Today, many people will spend about one-third of their entire life span in their
“old-age”
• Although physical changes do occur with advancing age, physical and mental
declines are not necessarily part of normal aging
• Well-being in old age is largely a function of the physical and psychological
processes that preceded it. Additionally, losses tend to be counterbalanced with
gains
avoidance of disease or reduced the associated risks
active engagement with life
maintenance of physical and cognitive functions