Chapter #1 : Aging in America

Ageism is primarily a biological phenomenon (T/F)

False

Senescence

age-related loss of function

Chronological

number of years since birth

Periods of U.S. History

1600-1800: Gerontophilia — honor, respect, and status for the elderly, especially older males 1800 to present: Gerontophobia— emphasis on youth instead of age with older people seen as victims With increasing numbers in the population, elders may regain importance and status in society

Increased Life Expectancy

A child born in 2006 can expect to live 30 years longer than a child born in 1900. White males live more than 6 years longer than African-American males. American women live longer than American men.

Environmental Press

As one's functionality decreases, the ability to remain independent is in jeopardy The activities required to be self-sufficient may no longer be possible Services may be brought in to supplement Moving to a more supportive environment may become necessary EXAMPLES : A man quits running daily because of deteriorating knees (internal adaptation). He buys a stationary bicycle (external change). His knees feel better, but he becomes more socially isolated. He must adapt to the social isolation.

Leading Causes of Death in Older Americans

Diseases of the heart Malignant tumors Strokes Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Pneumonia and flu Chronic liver disease Accidents Diabetes Suicide

Global Aging

East and Southeast Asia have the most rapidly aging populations. By 2050 the world population 65 and older will be 1.6 billion. The age-dependency ratio is increasing (number of people 65 and older relative to the working population). In the U.S., 77 million Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964

Historical and Cross-Cultural Variations of the Elderly

In ancient times, most people died by the age of 35 Status and prestige were linked to wealth, knowledge, and health. In harsh environments, elders were a burden to nomadic tribes. Since the 5th century BC, old age has been seen as a time of decline and decrepitude.

Modernization Theory

In the mid-1800s, we shifted from an agricultural to an industrial economy The Industrial Revolution resulted in the declining status of older individuals. • Modernization Theory emphasizes shifting values. - Growing emphasis on equality and efficiency. - Increasing importance of technology and education. - Youth and physical strength were valued

A Person-Environment Approach

Individuals adapt to personal, psychological, and physical changes. The environment is a changing context. Cycle of adaptation: The context changes so the individual must change. The individual changes so the environmental context changes.

Regional Differences in Older Populations

The Midwest has the largest number of counties with higher than national average proportion of people over 65. California has the largest number of citizens over 65. Florida has the highest proportion of citizens over 65.

Selection for Survival

The World Health Organization uses this term to mean that members of a population are selected for survival based on their resistance to common causes of death. The longer we live, the longer our projected life expectancies will be It is affected by genes, diet, exercise, and stress.

The Critical Perspective

The critical perspective draws attention to inequalities in the system. Cumulative disadvantage: increasingly negative effects of inequality in wealth, status, and opportunity over the lifespan !! EXAMPLE !! Those born into poverty will have fewer opportunities for good schooling, jobs, housing, health care. All of these will have negative ripple effects for the aging process.

Aging Revolution: Demographics of Aging

The population of Americans 65 years and older has greatly exceeded the growth of the population as a whole. The oldest-old are most rapidly growing elderly age group. Between 2010 and 2030, the leading edge of the baby boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) will reach the age of 65.

Personal and Social Definitions of Age

With longevity increasing, older people are gaining status in the U.S. culture. The position of older adults in society differs with: chronological age, gender, ethnicity, and historical cohort (those born in the same time period).

Theoretical Perspectives on Aging

- Biological: genes, lifestyles, and environmental influences on aging - Sociological: societal norms, cultural contexts, status, population demographics - Psychological: cognition, emotions, adaptability, self-concept, lifespan view - Philosophical: personal meaning, spirituality, ethics

Due to aging of the baby boom generation and current trends in birth and death rates , the proportion of elderly in the U.S is projected to be ____ by 2030?

20 percent

U.S Population Aged 50 and Older (2010-2050)

2010: 40.2 20 2050: 88.5

A child born in the United States in 2006 can expect to live to age ?

78

Modernization

By the 1930s, old age was seen as a social problem. Rapid social change had caused a generation gap.

Americans can increase life expectancy is due primarily to

Change in environmental factors that cause death

All of the following were aspects of modernization that contributed to lower status of the elderly EXCEPT :

Control of property Other answers : Value of equality Health technology Education

A person who fears the aged suffers from gerontophophilia

False

Analysis of gender differences in life expectancies of Americans shows that

Females have longer life expectancies than males at every age, regardless of race and ethnicity

Topics and Academic Disciplines of Gerontologists

Medicine, pharmaceuticals, dentistry, physical and occupational therapy Economics, housing, marketing, legislation, social policy and programs Social work, mental health services, family services, religious organizations Employment, retirement, financial planning, recreation

Two Types of Aging

Physical & Sociogenic . Physical: natural biological process Sociogenic: imposed by folklore, prejudice, and stereotypes - Sociogenic aging results in older adults being represented poorly in art, literature, legislation and social policies

Cultural Competence

The ability to honor and respect styles, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs !! IMPORTANT BECAUSE !1 -Helps practitioners to assist elders in culturally appropriate personal growth and mastery - Important with shifting physical, psychological and social statuses during the aging process

Ageism can oppress any age group, young or old

True

Belief in social equality was associated with negative views of old age

True ( Rationale : RUE)

Psychological

changes in memory, learning, adaptive capacity, personality, and mental functioning

Social

changes in social roles, relationships, and social context

Biological

changes reducing the efficiency of organ systems

Types of aging

chronological, biological, psychological, social

Detroit Syndrome

describing older people in terms of the obsolescence that exists for cars

Ageism is a

prejudice against any age group, young or old

Ageism

the prejudiced behavior of individuals and systems within the culture against older adults, including the negative consequences of inaccurate stereotyping of the elderly

Geriatics

the study of disease and health in later life

Gerontology

the study of the human aging process from maturity to old age and the study of older adults as a special population