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Being upset or withdrawn, unusual dementia-like behavior (rocking, sucking)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