Running head: MYTHS OF AGING

Myths of Aging in Relation to Memory, Perception and Attention

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MYTHS OF AGING

Question 1: Three myths about aging related to what is supposed to happen to memory, attention and perception: Their description and validity.

Myths associated with aging have gained acceptance in life notably in the social and academic fraternity. Such myths usually originate from certain social and cultural circumstances that can be handled (Schulz and Salthouse, 1999). The first myth purports that older people are senile or forgetful. This myth holds that older people are more likely to forget things within their surroundings even the simplest things. In this regard, older people tend two suffer frfom memory loss especially short memory. This myth can be justified by the fact that the functioning ability of certain parts of the brain associated with short term memory tends to diminish with age. This can explain why some older people forget the names of close relatives. In addition to this, the brain is made up of sensory nerves whose development and functioning depends on availability of certain vitamins, e.g. Vitamin B6, and B12 as well as certain minerals like foliate. The deficiency of such vitamins and minerals tends to increase with age hence this explains the symptoms associated with forgetfulness or senility due to their deficiency.

Another myth associated with memory attention and perception purports that older people think slowly(Kimmell, C.D. 1990). This myth can be supported by the fact that as aging comes along; the brain suffers degeneration as much as the other parts of the body. Research has further proved that brain cells unlike other cells in the body cannot be repaired. The aging brain thus takes longer to get activated and respond to the stimuli. In some cases with more and more brain cell death, the brain function becomes impaired which would justify the validity of this myth. Another common aging myth holds that older people suffer from confusion and memory loss. Memory loss often MYTHS OF AGINGreferred to as Dementia is characterized by a reversible or sometimes irreversible loss of memory. Some forms of dementia are more severe than others. Severe forms of dementia are known to become more common with people over 65 years of age. These include Alzheimer’s disease which causes severe memory loss and confusion as well as Parkinson’s disease which causes loss of motor coordination. This can partly explain why some older people exhibit symptoms of memory loss and confusion hence justifying the myths associated with age.

Question 2: Three changes associated with alterations in attention, perception and memory functions from professional and personal experience and indicators whether normal or severe.

The functional alterations in memory, attention and perception which result to symptoms of forgetfulness, severe memory loss and confusion can be attributed to certain changes that occur to the individual’s brain with age. As the brain ages, the functioning of the frontal lobe and hippocampus; parts of the brain associated with intelligence and short term memory diminishes. This results from damage of nerve endings in these parts of the brain which leads to death of neurons which make up brain cells. The end result of this is the reduction in the capacity to retain specific memory hence explaining why older people tend to forget important things within their environment like the names of their close relatives or even lose their way. This phenomena is well illustrated in the film ‘On Golden Pond’ where the main character Norman, a 79 year old retired professor suffers from age related memory loss and loses his way when send by his wife Ethel Thayer to pick berries in the woods ( Thompson, E. 1982).

Severe and long time forms of memory loss can result from diseases which creates changes within the brain hence interfering with motor functioning of the brain. Some symptoms of memory loss are more severe than others; some can be reversed while others cannot be reversed. Those associated with malnutrition, drug interactions dehydration or even malnutrition tend to be reversed by taking the necessary interventions like counseling, adequate water intake, proper diet and appropriate medical advice on drug use among others. In addition to these interventions, early diagnosis of some conditions like Alzheimer’s disease is crucial since some medications can slow the progress of the disease. Another change that explains the said alterations is due to the deficiency of certain vitamins and foliates which exists among certain people and tends to worsen with age. Vitamin B6 deficiency may lead to peripheral neuropathy since it forms part of neurotransmitters. Vitamin B12 deficiency results to mood swings and delusions since it forms the myelin sheath which protects the neurons. Deficiency of foliate in the elderly results to forgetfulness and depression; these can be corrected through dietary intervention.

References

Kimmell, C. D. (1990). Adulthood and Aging: An Interdisciplinary, Developmental view. University of Michigan: Wiley.

Schulz, R. and Salthouse, A. T. (1999). Adult Development and aging: myths and emerging realities, 3rd edn, Michigan: Prentice Hall.