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The Aging Journey Chapter 1

The Aging Journey Chapter 1. HPR 452. Introduction. More over 65 than ever before Healthier, financially secure, independent Visible, Vocal, Everywhere you go Archaic view of aging still exists – period of declining and little feeling of hope

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The Aging Journey Chapter 1

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  1. The Aging JourneyChapter 1 HPR 452

  2. Introduction • More over 65 than ever before • Healthier, financially secure, independent • Visible, Vocal, Everywhere you go • Archaic view of aging still exists – period of declining and little feeling of hope • The future of aging individuals is viewed as….at best “stability” for as long as possible….at worst “death after confinement in a LTC facility”

  3. Another more appropriate view • People do not do things in spite of being old. They achieve success because of who they are. • Gerontologists view activities as important for quality of life - replacing what has been lost due to aging, retirement, etc. • This perspective doesn’t recognize the power of leisure activities

  4. “Ulyssean” McLeish (1976) • Leisure can provide new pathways to growth and development • Individuals dedicated to living • No focus on quantity of activities • Focus on openness to new ideas and opportunities • Trained professionals assisting older individuals with leisure enhance quality of life

  5. Successful Aging • 1st of the Baby Boomers have turned 65 • # of Americans enrolled in Medicare due to a disability has decreased from 25%-20% (1984-1999) • Not about what happens to people as they age but what they do while they age • Growth and Development can occur at any age

  6. The Aging Journey • “Leisure” and “Aging” – both often misunderstood terms • Leisure = Frivolous • Aging = Decline & Loss • Authors perspectives • Leisure = Primary realm of behavior where growth and development may occur • Aging = Natural part of the life cycle accompanied by advantages as well as losses

  7. Stereotypes of Aging • Social uselessness • Life ends at 65 • Elderly need things to “fill their time” and keep them busy until death • What are some others????

  8. Reality • No such thing as a typical old person • They are all unique individuals • They all have different needs and interests • Later life can be an opportunity for growth, development and happiness • Leisure Delivery professionals must understand the needs and possibilities

  9. Positive Perspective • The text views aging as a journey or series of journeys and not an arrival or terminal point • Free time after retirement is not a problem but an opportunity • Ulyssean adult is one who continues to seek new opportunities and adventures • Only death can stop it – Process…not a state

  10. Social Aspects • Changes in social roles • Process of socialization – process through which we absorb values, beliefs and knowledge that guide our behavior as a member of a social group – Lifelong • Assume certain roles – multiple roles • No set “norms” for the aging – spent their lives conforming to social demands (spouse, parent, employee) • Now – What? Why? Result?

  11. Social Responses • # of aging individuals is increasing • Younger individuals will provide caregiving, leisure service providers, volunteers, policy makers • Attitude is important • Stereotypes are a response

  12. Stereotypes • Two primary dimensions • Competence • Independence, skill, ability • Warmth • Trustworthiness, sincerity, friendship • Elderly are generally viewed as warm but not competent

  13. Self-Perception of Aging • Things keep getting worse as I get older • I have as much pep as I did last year • As you get older you are less useful • I am as happy now as when I was younger • As I get older things are (better, worse, about the same) as I thought they would be

  14. Results • “Median survival of those in the more positive self-perceptions of aging group was 7.6 years longer than the median survival of those in the negative aging stereotype group” • Greater impact on survival than gender, socioeconomic status, functional health and loneliness

  15. Ageism • The ultimate prejudice, the last discrimination, the cruelest rejection…it is the third great “ism” in our society, after racism and sexism. Palmore (2001) • Personal, Institutional, Intentional, Unintentional ageisms – text pg 9 • “Police in Norway stopped a 94 y/o runner because they thought she escaped from a Nursing Home” Sports Illustrated (June 16, 2003)

  16. Leisure Service Providers • Confront our own perceptions • Assist the elderly to overcome their perceptions • Intergenerational activities – Quality of interaction • Accurate knowledge of aging • Forgetfulness/senility - interest in sexuality/dirty old person – time spent alone/isolation and loneliness, etc

  17. Demography of Aging • Demographics are a composite picture – not about a give individual • A starting point to understand forces resulting in the social phenomenon of aging • General characteristics of the aging population

  18. Life Expectancy • Overall: • 1900 = 47.3 yrs • 1996 = 76.1 yrs • 2004 = 76.9 yrs • After age 65: (more accurate indicator of later life longevity) • 1900 – 65 + 11.9 yrs = 76.9 • 1996 – 65 + 17.7 yrs = 82.7 • 2003 – 65 + 18.4 yrs = 83.4

  19. Effects of Gender and Race • Female born in 1997 – L.E. 79.4 yrs • Male born in 1997 – L.E. 73.6 yrs • Female reach 65 in 2003 +19.8 yrs • Male reach 65 in 2003 +16.8 yrs • Female reaching 65 = L.E. 85 • Male reaching 65 = L.E. 82 • 2003 at 65 – w/f = 19 b/f = 18 • w/m = 17 b/m = 15

  20. Age Composition • 1900 >4% of population 65 or over • 2005 – 12% (approx 37mil) • 2005 – 2 mil celebrated 65th bday • 5480/day • Net increase in over 65 pop • 550/day • Projection – • 2020 50 mil over 65 • 2030 71.5 mil over 65 (20% of population

  21. Oldest Old • 85 y/o or older – “oldest old” • Fastest growing age group • 2005 – 5.1 mil (42 x larger than in 1900) – 14% of elderly population • By 2050 – will be 24% of 65 and older pop – 5% of US pop

  22. Race and Ethnicity • Approx 15% of white pop 65 or over • 8.2% non-Hispanic black • 4.9% Hispanic • 7.8% American Indians & Native Alaskans • 7.8% Asians and Pacific Islanders

  23. Older pop among minorities increasing • 2000 – 16.4% of elderly pop in US was other than non-Hispanic white • Will increase to approx 23.6% by 2020 • 1999-2030 – over 65 white up 81% • Same period – Minority expected up 217% • Largest in Hispanic – 322% • Asian – 301% • African-American – 128%

  24. Living Arrangements • 2005 – Lived with spouse • 72% of males 42% of females • 2005 -Lived alone • 19% of males 38% of females • 2004 – 49.9% of women and 29% of men over 75 lived alone • 2000 – 4.5% over 65 lived in LTC • 2000 - 18.2% over 85 lived in LTC

  25. Gender • # of males per 100 females = sex ratio for total population • 2000 – 65 or over ratio = 70 • 65 – 74 age ratio = 82 • 85 and over ratio = 41

  26. Marital Status • 2005 • 72% of noninstitutionalized men and 42% of women living with spouse • 46% of women over 65 were widows • 77% of women over 85 were widows • 35% of men 85 and over were widowed

  27. Economic Characteristics • Older pop is poorer than general pop • 2005 – 10% household income below $15,000.00 • 53.9% household income over $35,000.00 • Poverty rate among African-Americans and Hispanics higher than that of whites and Asians

  28. Employment • 2005 – 5.3 mil (15.1%) working or seeking work • 1/3 of men 65 or over and 13.5% 70 or older were in labor force • Women – 23.7% 65-69 and 7.1% over 75 were in labor force

  29. Education • Aging pop is more educated than at any other time • HS diploma – rose from 28% to 74% between 1970-2004 • In 2005 at least 19% had Bachelor’s • There are racial and ethnic differences

  30. Health Characteristics • Older less healthy than younger • Over ½ 65 and older reported disability • Leading causes of death among older individuals – heart disease (31.2%), cancer (21.6%), stroke (7.7%), chronic lower respiratory disease (6%) • Inactivity a major cause

  31. Baby Boomers • 26.8% of Americans • 3 mil boomers turned 60 in 2006 • By 2030 boomers will be 66-84 (20% of pop) • 17% of boomers people of color • 1/3 are obese • Annual spending power $2 trillion • Over 75% expected to work past 65

  32. So What? • More older people • Increasing diversity (racial, ethnic, financial) • Providers must prepare for ageing of America • Don’t lose sight, as providers, on individual needs • Aggregate data provides basis for policy making

  33. Conclusion • Maintaining function vs. Personal Growth Model (harmonious with Ulyssean lifestyle) • Aging means they have successfully negotiated at least 65 years of life • Don’t let myths and stereotypes deprive them of needed services and opportunities

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