Sociology, Tenth Edition Aging and the Elderly. Sociology, Tenth Edition Graying of United States...
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
Aging and the Elderly
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
Figure 15-1 The Graying of U.S. Society
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
National Map 15-1 The Elderly Population of the United States
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
Transitions and Challenges of Aging
• Finding meaning• Social isolation• Retirement• Aging and poverty• Care giving• Ageism• The elderly: a minority?
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
Table 15-1 Living Arrangements of the Elderly, 2000
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
Figure 15-2 U.S. Poverty
Rates, by Age, 2000
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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?
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
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Sociology, Tenth Edition
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