Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Aging and the Elderly

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Graying of United States Seniors are now 12.7% of the population. By 2035, the elderly will number 77 million. The elderly population of wealthy nations is increasing most rapidly. By –About half the population will be over 40.

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure 15.1 The Graying of U.S. Society The proportion of the U.S. population over the age of 65 tripled during the last century. The median age of the U.S. population has now passed 35 years and will continue to rise. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2008)

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 childhood infectious diseases –Treat cancer and heart disease

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 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 –Oldest old over age 85: Fastest growing segment; 67% are women

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Biological Changes Gerontology –Study of aging and the elderly –Attitude toward aging depends on societal values Physical changes –Predictable graying of hair, wrinkles, loss of height and weight, decline in strength, vitality, and senses –Odds of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions rise Health –Most over 65 report good health –“Well-to-do” people have it better since they can afford preventive care

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. National Map 15.1 The Elderly Population Across the United States

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Psychological Changes Advancing age does not mean certain impairment of mental abilities. –Some research reports improved math and verbal skills. Personality changes –The elderly can become more introspective. –Major shifts in personalities don’t normally take place. –Meals on Wheels Vid (5 min) – america1/ america1/

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Global Map 15.1 Life Expectancy in Global Perspective

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Transitions and Challenges of Aging Finding meaning Social isolation Retirement Aging and poverty Caregiving Ageism The elderly: a minority?

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Finding Meaning Erikson: Resolve a tension of integrity vs. despair Successful aging lies in maintaining dignity and self-confidence and accepting advancing age. Neugarten studied the personality types of people in their 70s. –Disintegrated and disorganized –Passive-dependent –Defended –Integrated

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Table 15.1 Living Arrangements for the Elderly, 2007

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Social Isolation Isolation is common among the elderly. Retirement, limited mobility, and negative stereotypes close off sources of social interaction. Death of significant others –Many widows and widowers cite loneliness as serious problem. Older people value independence. Family members are a major source of social support. –Daughters more than sons

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Retirement Work is an important part of personal identity. To minimize loss of prestige: –New activities and interests –Volunteer work can fill time. –Grandparenting is a source of pleasure. –Part-time work can bring additional money. Retirement is a recent idea in industrialized societies occurring within the last century. When or whether we retire –“Staged retirement”–People continue working well past age 65, reducing their hours as they build financial security. – erica_looks_at_aging/ erica_looks_at_aging/

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. –In 2007, 9.7% of elderly Americans fell below the poverty line. –Median individual income for women is $15, 714 and for men $27,454.

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Figure 15.2 U.S. Poverty Rates by Age, 2007

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Caregiving Although parents provide caregiving to children, the term is more often applied to the needs of elderly men and women. 80% of caregiving to elders is provided by family members; most are daughters or daughter-in-laws  the “sandwich generation” Elder abuse Informal and unpaid care provided to a dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Elder Abuse From passive neglect to active torment In many forms: verbal, emotional, financial, and physical More than 1 million a year suffer serious maltreatment Abuse is most likely to occur if the caregiver: –Works full time –Cares for young children –Is poor –Feels little affection for the older person –Finds the elderly person very difficult –Gets no support or help

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ageism Like racism and sexism, ageism builds physical traits into stereotypes. Older people are more likely than younger people to be mentally and physically impaired. Friedan: Ageism is deeply rooted in our culture. Prejudice and discrimination against older people

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Elderly: A Minority? Streib: Elderly aren’t a minority. –Minority status is usually both permanent and exclusive. –Being elderly is an open status because people are elderly for only part of their lives. –Everyone who has the good fortune to live long enough grows old. –Elders at highest risk of being poor or disadvantaged fall into categories of people who are at highest risk of being poor throughout the life course.

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Theoretical Perspective Structural-functional analysis –Disengagement theory–Society enhances its orderly operation by disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age. Symbolic-interaction analysis –Activity theory–A high level of activity enhances personal satisfaction in old age. Social-conflict analysis –Inequality based on age categories –Different opportunities and access to social resources create a system of age stratification.

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Death and Dying Historical patterns of death Modern separation of life and death Ethical issues: confronting death –The “Right-to-die” debate –Living wills–Documents stating which medical procedures an individual wants and doesn’t want under specific conditions –Euthanasia–Assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Stages of Death and Bereavement Kübler-Ross: Most people usually confront their own death in stages. –Denial –Anger –Negotiation –Resignation –Acceptance

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Bereavement Persistent profound grief and social disorientation Experts agree that how a family and friends view an impending death affects the dying person. Hospice movement Bereavement is less intense for someone who accepts the loved one’s death, and the relationship has reached a satisfactory resolution.

Sociology, 13 h Edition by John Macionis Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Future Increasing numbers –By 2050, there will be more elderly in the US than the entire population in 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