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Aging and the Elderly

Aging and the Elderly. Graying of United States. Seniors now 12.4 percent of the population Soon, baby boomers (born after WWII-mid-60’s) will number 75 million The elderly populations of rich nations is increasing most rapidly By 2030 20 percent will be over age 65

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Aging and the Elderly

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  1. Aging and the Elderly Sociology, Tenth Edition

  2. Graying of United States • Seniors now 12.4 percent of the population • Soon, baby boomers (born after WWII-mid-60’s) will number 75 million • The elderly populations of rich nations is increasing most rapidly • By 2030 • 20 percent will be over age 65 • About half the population will be over the age of 40 Sociology, Tenth Edition

  3. Figure 15-1 The Graying of U.S. Society Sociology, Tenth Edition

  4. Aging Population Increase • Birth rate: going down • Decreased infant mortality • Children are a major expense • Advances in birth control • Life expectancy: going up • Improved housing, nutrition and increased wealth • Medical advances • Almost eliminated infectious diseases • Treat cancer and heart disease Sociology, Tenth Edition

  5. Sociological Impact • Cultural change • Elderly more visible • “Young-old” and “old-old” • Younger elderly 65-75 • Independent with good health and financial security • Older elderly past age 75 • Dependent on others • Over age 85 fastest growing segment • Women outnumber men Sociology, Tenth Edition

  6. Biological Changes • Gerontology • Study of aging and the elderly • Attitude toward aging depends on societal values • In America, a dim view of such changes is taken • Physical changes • Predictable graying of hair, wrinkles, loss of height and weight, decline in strength and vitality and sensory changes • Odds of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions rise steadily • Reality we overestimate physical problems • A majority of those over 65 report good health • “Well-to-do” people have it better since they can afford preventive care Sociology, Tenth Edition

  7. National Map 15-1 The Elderly Population of the United States Sociology, Tenth Edition

  8. Psychological Changes • Advancing age does not mean certain impairment of mental abilities • Some research reports increases in math and verbal skills • Personality changes • The elderly can become more introspective • More “self-awareness” • Major shifts in personalities do not normally take place Sociology, Tenth Edition

  9. Aging and Culture • The significance of growing old varies according to culture • Age stratification • Unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course • Hunting and gathering societies • Pastoral, horticultural and agrarian societies • Industrial and postindustrial societies Sociology, Tenth Edition

  10. Transitions and Challenges of Aging • Finding meaning • Social isolation • Retirement • Aging and poverty • Care giving • Ageism • The elderly: a minority? Sociology, Tenth Edition

  11. Finding Meaning • Erikson: resolve a tension of integrity vs. despair • Neugarten studied people in their 70’s • Personality type • Disintegrated and disorganized • Passive-dependent • Defended • Integrated • Successful aging lies in maintaining dignity and self-confidence and accepting advancing age Sociology, Tenth Edition

  12. Table 15-1 Living Arrangements of the Elderly, 2000 Sociology, Tenth Edition

  13. Social Isolation • Isolation is common among elderly • Retirement, limited mobility, and negative stereotypes close off sources of social interaction • Death of significant others • Three-fourths of widows and widowers cite loneliness as serious problem • Older people value independence • Family members are major source of social support • Daughters more than sons Sociology, Tenth Edition

  14. Retirement • Work is an important part of personal identity • To minimize loss of prestige • New activities and interests • Volunteer work can fill time voids • Part-time work can offer additional monies • Retirement is a recent idea in industrialized societies occurring within the last century • When or whether we retire • While not mandatory, 83% of men and 91% of women are no longer in the labor force at age 65 in the united states Sociology, Tenth Edition

  15. Poverty • Home mortgage is usually paid off, some costs rise for the elderly • Medical care, household help and utilities • Social security is the major source of income • Those elderly who fall below the poverty line at age 65 equals 10.2% of U.S. Population • Median individual income for women is $10,899 and men $19,168 Sociology, Tenth Edition

  16. Figure 15-2 U.S. Poverty Rates, by Age, 2000 Sociology, Tenth Edition

  17. Care Giving • Informal and unpaid care provided to a dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends • 80% of caregivers are family members, daughters • Married, with children and a job • Elder abuse Sociology, Tenth Edition

  18. Elder Abuse • From passive neglect to active torment • In many forms: verbal, emotional, financial and physical • More than one million a year, severe abuse • Major causes • “Sandwich generation” stress • Caregiver works fulltime, cares for young children and is poor • Caregiver feels little affection for elder, finds them difficult and has little support from others Sociology, Tenth Edition

  19. Ageism • Prejudice and discrimination against the elderly • Blatant ageism • Deny people due to age • Subtle ageism • Ways which culture perpetuates stereotypes of the elderly • Negative images and jokes • Should the elderly be given “minority group” status? Sociology, Tenth Edition

  20. Theoretical Perspective • Structural-functionalism • Disengagement theory • Society enhances its orderly operation by disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age • Symbolic interaction • Activity theory • A high level of activity enhances personal satisfaction in old age • Social conflict • Inequality based on age categories • Different opportunities and access to social resources, creating a system of age stratification Sociology, Tenth Edition

  21. Death and Dying • Historical patterns of death • Modern separation of life and death • Ethical issues: confronting death • Death occurs when an irreversible state takes place • Right to die debate • Living wills • Euthanasia Sociology, Tenth Edition

  22. Bereavement • Time of profound grief and social disorientation that persist for some time • Experts agree that how a family and friends view an impending death affects the person who is dying • Hospice movement • Bereavement is less intense for someone who accepts the death of the loved one and their relationship has reached a satisfactory resolution Sociology, Tenth Edition

  23. The Future • Increasing numbers • By 2050, more elderly than people in the U.S.A. In 1900 • Need to review support services for the elderly • Availability and sufficiency • The elderly should experience a better quality of life • Medical technology • Financial strength • Changes in how death is viewed • Death will again become a natural part of the life cycle – no longer social taboo Sociology, Tenth Edition

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