Sociology 13.3

Emotional/psychological abuse

Being upset or withdrawn, unusual dementia-like behavior (rocking, sucking)

Ageism

Discrimination based on age

What are primary challenges for the aging and elderly?

Loss of independence Age discrimination

In 1960, almost 35 percent of the elderly existed on

poverty-level incomes

mong people over sixty-five years old, the poverty rate fell from 30 percent in 1967 to 9.7 percent in 2008, well below the national average of

13.2 percent

According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, the national poverty rate among the elderly had risen to

14 percent bv 2010

By 1990, senior citizens reported earning 36 percent more income on average than they did in

1980; that was five times the rate of increase for people under age 35

During the recession, older people lost some of the financial advantages that they'd gained in the

1980s and 1990s

What scenario describes senescence?

As he ages, Maurice makes adjustments to the changes in his body and mind, as well as his shrinking social network.

Sexual abuse

Bruises around breasts or genitals, torn or bloody underclothing, unexplained venereal disease

Physical abuse

Bruises, untreated wounds, sprains, broken glasses, lab findings of medication overdosage

Unusual behaviors

Emotional/Psychological abuse

Dehydration

Neglect

Medication overdoses

Physical abuse

Neglect

Poor hygiene, untreated bed sores, dehydration, soiled bedding

Unclean living areas

Self-neglect

Financial

Sudden changes in banking practices, inclusion of additional names on bank cards, abrupt changes to will

Self-neglect

Untreated medical conditions, unclean living area, lack of medical items like dentures or glasses

Gerontocracy

a type of social structure where in the power is held by a society's oldest members

Many of the caregivers who physically abused elders were

abused themselves

In addition, many people were gaining access to

better healthcare

The sharp decline in the stock market also forced many to

delay their retirement

The loss of independence is one potential part of the process, as are

diminished physical ability and age discrimination

A history of depression in the caregiver was also found to increase the likelihood of

elder abuse

New trends encouraged people to live more healthful lifestyles by placing an emphasis on

exercise and nutrition

his frailty renders them dependent on others for care—sometimes for small needs like

household tasks, and sometimes for assistance with basic functions like eating and toileting

For many people in the United States, growing older once meant living with

less income

From October 2007 to October 2009 the values of retirement accounts for people over age fifty lost

lost 18% of their value

Mistreatment and abuse of the elderly is a

major social problem

Elder abuse

occurs when a caretaker intentionally deprives an older person of care or harms the person in his or her charge

Neglect was more likely when care was provided by

paid caregivers

Family members with some sort of dependency on the elder in their care were more likely to

physically abuse that elder

Senescene

refers to the aging process, including biological, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual changes.

There was also greater access to information about the health risks of behaviors such as

smoking, drinking, and drug use

Two recent U.S. studies found that roughly one in ten elderly people surveyed had

suffered at least one form of elder abuse

Dr. Ron Acierno

team of researchers identified five major categories of elder abuse: 1) physical abuse, such as hitting or shaking, 2) sexual abuse, including rape and coerced nudity, 3) psychological or emotional abuse, such as verbal harassment or humiliation, 4) neglect or failure to provide adequate care, and 5) financial abuse or exploitation

In many modern nations, however, industrialization contributed to

the diminished social standing of the elderly

Older women were found to be victims of

verbal abuse

A survey in Florida found that 60.1 percent of caregivers reported

verbal aggression as a style of conflict resolution