The theme of physical changes during adulthood seems to be "decline." Why is this statement accurate? Describe some of these declines and the different times at which they occur. How do such changes affect the lives of adults as they age?

What will be an ideal response?

* At about the age of 30, a gradual decline begins in muscular strength, vision, and hearing, though the decline in vision and audition may not be noticeable until middle adulthood.
* Sensitivity to taste, odors, and temperature begins in the late 40s or early 50s.
* The behaviors you engage in during young adulthood influence your health in later adulthood.
* Many middle-aged adults need reading glasses, hearing losses are often not yet detectable because of the high frequency they occur at, there is a 10 percent reduction in physical strength, and women undergo menopause and men male climacteric.
*During late adulthood, vision and hearing worsen, the gradual decline in taste and smell continue, the ability to regulate body temperature declines, reaction time decreases, and people shrink in size.
* Sleep becomes less efficient, and most of the systems in the body become more susceptible to disease.
* Despite these changes in late adulthood, most activities can still be carried out.