Chapter 13: Aging

Section 13.2 The Process of Aging

Old age affects every aspect of human life: biological, social, and psychological. Although medical technology has lengthened life expectancies, it cannot eradicate aging and death. Cultural attitudes shape the way our society views old age and dying, but these attitudes shift and evolve over time.

social gerontology

The area of gerontology that is concerned with the impact of social and sociocultural conditions on the process of aging and the social consequences of this process

Section 13.1: Who are the elderly? Aging in Society

The social study of aging uses population data and cohorts to predict social concerns related to aging populations. In the United States, the population is increasingly older (called "the graying of the United States"), especially due to the baby boomer segment. Global studies on aging reveal a difference in life expectancy between core and peripheral nations as well as a discrepancy in nations' preparedness for the challenges of increasing elderly populations.

Section 13.4 Theoretical Perspectives on Aging

The three major sociological perspectives inform the theories of aging. Theories in the functionalist perspective focus on the role of elders in terms of the functioning of society as a whole. Theories in the conflict perspective concentrate on how elders, as a group, are at odds with other groups in society. And theories in the symbolic interactionist perspective focus on how elders' identities are created through their interactions.

cohort

a group of people who share a statistical or demographic trait

geriatrics

a medical specialty focusing on the elderly

grief

a psychological, emotional, and social response to the feelings of loss that accompanies death or a similar event

selective optimazation with compensation theory

a theory based on the idea that successful personal development throughout the life course and subsequent mastery of the challenges associated with everyday life are based on the components of selection, optimization, and compensation

secondary aging

aging that occurs due to controllable factors like exercise and diet

gerontocracy

an age hierarchy that is controlled or dominated by the oldest age groups

primary aging

biological factors such as molecular and cellular changes

filial piety

deference and respect to one's parents and ancestors in all things

hospice

healthcare that treats terminally ill people by providing comfort during the dying process

centenarians

people 100 years old or older

supercentenarians

people 110 of age or older

baby boomer's

people in the United States born between approximately 1946 and 1964

ageism

prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a person's age

dependency ratio

the number of nonproductive citizens (young, disabled, elderly) to productive working citizens

life expectancy

the number of years a person can expect to live

life course

the period from birth to death, including a sequence of predictable life events

gerontology

the study of aging and the challenges the elderly face

thanatology

the study of death and dying

disengagement theory

a theory which suggests that withdrawing from society and social relationships is a natural part of growing old

senescence

the aging process, including biological, emotional, social, and spiritual change

Gerotranscendence

the idea that as people age, they go beyond (transcend) limited views of life they held in earlier times

elder abuse

the abuse or neglect of older family members

subculture of aging theory

a theory that focuses on the shared community created by the elderly when they are excluded (due to age), voluntarily or involuntarily, from participating in other groups

age stratification theory

a theory which states that members of society are stratified by age, just as they are stratified by race, class, and gender

continuity theory of aging

a theory which states that the elderly make specific choises to maintain consistency in internal (personality structure, beliefs) and external structures (relationships) remaining active throughout their elder years

activity theory

a theory which suggests that for individuals to enjoy old age and feel satisfied, they must maintain activities and find a replacement for the statuses and associated roles they have left behind as they aged

modernization theory

a theory which suggests that the primary cause of the elderly losing power and influence in society are the parallel forces of industrialization and modernization

physician assisted suicide

the voluntary use of lethal medication provided by a medical doctor to end one's life

Section 13.3 Challenges Facing the Elderly

As people enter old age, they face challenges. Ageism, which involves stereotyping and discrimination against the elderly, leads to misconceptions about their abilities. Although elderly poverty has been improving for decades, many older people may be detrimentally affected by the 2008 recession. Some elderly people grow physically frail and, therefore, dependent on caregivers, which increases their risk of elder abuse.

exchange theory

a theory which suggests that we experience an increased dependence as we age and must increasingly submit to the will of others, because we have fewer ways of compelling others to submit to us