Essay

Part A.
As we get older or bodies start changing in appearance and what they can do. It becomes harder to do simple things like get out of bed and drive a car. We look at ourselves and see things that were not there 5 years ago. Certain parts of our bodies start to show creasing and sagging of the skin. Our skin starts to feel rougher and dryer as our oil glands become less active.   Age spots appear, as blood vessels can be seen beneath the more transparent skin.   We become unable to control the ability to adapt to hot or cold temperatures.   Our teeth become yellow, cracked, chipped, and sometimes our gums will start receding.   Our height continues to decline especially in women, as loss of bone mineral content leads to further collapse of spinal column.   Our weight starts to decline after age of 60 because of additional loss of lean body mass (bone density and muscle) (Berk 2007).
Unfortunately with all the body appearance changes we have to go through and adapt to, we also have to adapt to our body not working as well as it use to. Our mobility starts to decline as well.   Our muscle strength declines at a faster rate in late adulthood than middle age.   60 to 70 year old people lose 10 to 20 percent of their muscle power, which climbs to 30 to 50 percent when they reach 70 to 80 years of age. Bone strength deteriorates because of reduced bone mass, and tiny cracks in response to stress weaken the bone further (Berk 2007).   Strength and flexibility of the joints and the tendons and ligaments diminish.  
Although aging is a part of life there are some things we can do to try to limit our decline in mobility. Active elders can compensate by strengthening remaining slow twitched fibers so they work more efficiently.   A carefully planned exercise program can also enhance joint flexibility and range of motion. Rhythmic and flexing exercises, as well as exercises that strengthen muscles and supporting the joint can help joint stiffness.  
Development through the... [continues]

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