Instructor’s Name Semester, 200_

1. Instructor’s Name Semester, 200_

2. Chapter Objectives • Identify the signs of an aging population. • Define the following groups-old, young old, old old, and oldest old. • Define the terms aged, aging, elders, gerontology, and geriatrics. • State several commonly held myths about the senior population. • Explain the meaning of an age-pyramid.

3. Chapter Objectives • List the factors that affect the size and age of a population. • Define fertility and mortality rates and explain how they impact life expectancy. • Explain the difference between support and labor-force ratios. • Briefly outline elder abuse and neglect in the United States.

4. Chapter Objectives • Describe the typical elder, with regard to martial status, living arrangements, racial and ethnic background, economic status, and geographic location. • Identify the six instrumental needs of elders. • Briefly summarize the Older Americans Act of 1965.

5. Chapter Objectives • List the services provided for elders in most communities. • Explain the difference between respite care and adult day care. • Identify the four different levels of tasks with which elderly need assistance.

6. Definitions • Aged • state of being old • Aging • changes that occur as living things grow older • Gerontology • study of aging • Geriatrics • medical practice specializing in treatment of the aged

7. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “After age 65, life goes steadily downhill.” • Truth: • There is no magic age that defines the boundary between healthy middle age and total decrepitude.

8. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Old people are all alike.” • Truth: • There are more differences among seniors than any other segment of the U.S. population.

9. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Old people are lonely and ignored by their families.” • Truth: • Seniors are the least likely to be lonely of any age group; and those who live alone are likely to be in close contact, either in person or by telephone, with close friends and/or their children.

10. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Old people are senile.” • Truth: • Senility is the result of disease and only affects about 5% of seniors living in noninstitutional settings.

11. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Old people have a good life.” • Truth: • Though seniors do gain certain advantages when they retire and when their children leave home, they still face a number of concerns such as loss of loved ones, loss of health, and loss of value in society.

12. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Most old people are sickly.” • Truth: • Most older people do have at least one chronic health problem, but the majority of seniors are able to live active life-styles.

13. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Old people no longer have any sexual interest or ability.” • Truth: • Sexual interest does not diminish with age, but there is a slight alteration in sexual response. Nonetheless, many seniors in reasonably good health have active and satisfying sex lives.

14. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Most old people end up in nursing homes.” • Truth: • Only approximately 6% of those above the age of 65 live in nursing homes. While that % jumps to 25% for the oldest old, (85 & over) it is still well below half.

15. Myths of Aging • Myth: • “Older people are unproductive.” • Truth: • There is no consistent pattern to show superior productivity in any age group.

16. Demography of Aging • Size & Growth • Factors which affect population size & age • fertility rates • mortality rates • migration

17. Support & Labor-Force Ratios • Support ratio • comparison between society’s unproductive and productive individuals • total support ratio youth support ratio • elderly support ratio • Labor-force support ratio • based upon the number who are actually working

18. Demography of Aging • Marital status & other variables • Living arrangement • Racial and Ethnic composition • Geographic Distribution • Economic Status

19. Income Sources of Seniors

20. Housing Needs of Seniors • Housing • older homes • homes of lower value • in need of repair • less likely to have central heating and air conditioning • less likely to have a telephone Mobile homes Multi- Single family

21. Health Profile of Elders • Mortality • Morbidity • Chronic conditions • Impairments

22. Health Behaviors • Less likely • consume large amounts of alcohol • smoke cigarettes • overweight or obese • when compared to younger counterparts • Neglect and Abuse

23. Instrumental Needs of Elders • Income • Housing • Personal Care • Health Care

24. Transportation Concerns of Seniors • Important to remain independent • Solutions to Transportation Problems • Fare reductions • Subsidies to mass transit • Subsidies for taxis • Funds to assist centers in purchasing equipped vehicles

25. Community Facilities & Services • Meal service • programs such as meals-on-wheels & congregate meals • Homemaker service • enables elderly to remain in their own homes • Chore & home maintenance service • Visitor service

26. Community Facilities & Services • Adult day care • provides care for seniors left alone all day • Respite care • Home health care • Senior centers • Other Services

27. Chapter 9 Seniors