The Elderly Attitudes about aging socially constructed, depend on how the society views the aged. More and more people live longer. Abkhasians (mini-republic on the Black Sea coast), Hunzas (people of a mountainous valley in Gilgit in the Gilgit-Baltistan autonomous region of Pakistan), Vilcabambas (Ecuador) longest-lived people. Diet, lifelong physical activity and a highly developed sense of community.

With industrialization, more people reach older ages due to: 1. high standard of living 2. better public health measures Aging according to 3 perspectives Symbolic interactionist -Biology changes how a person looks and feels. With these changes, people start to act old.

-Gender age also contributes to ageing process. The relative values culture places on men’s age less compared to that of women. -Society’s definition of “old” also affects ageing.

-Aging varies from culture to culture. It is relative. For Native Americans old age is inability to perform productive social roles. The Tiwi tribe is a gerontocracy (a society run by the elderly). Older men possess the power and hold all the wealth and the women. In Eskimo society, aging is voluntary death

-In this context, Robert Butler coined the term ageism to refer to prejudice, discrimination and hostility towards the age. -Industrialization lead to erosion of respect given to elderly. New ideas of morality has outmoded ideas of elderly. Meaning of old age transformed. Elderly once regarded as useful, wise and as an asset. Now regarded as useless, foolish and liability.

The Functionalist Perspectives -Talks about mutual adjustments. between the one retiring and the one who takes over. -Disengagement Theory developed by Elaine Cumming and William Henry explain how society prevents disruptions to society when the elderly retire. Elderly rewarded with pensions for their services for giving up positions to be filled by young ones.

-Activity Theory or Implicit Theory of Aging – aging brings individuals misadjustments. With activity, readjustments and life satisfaction can be achieved. Finance, health and individual orientation plays an important in keeping one active. The Conflict Perspective -Social life a struggle between groups for scarce resources. Some form of conflict between the younger and older generation is inevitable.

Problems of Dependency Women more likely to be isolated due to longer life span. Man live with their wives. Women spend more time in nursing homes. Elder abuse very common especially by family members. Resentment, overdependence and demands lead to stress and tension. Sociology of death and dying -Dying an event to be managed by professionals

-Process of dying is becoming strange to many. Even avoid the use of the word “die’ -Technological lifespace invented to keep the body alive but the brain dead. -Stages a person goes through when told he/she suffering from incurable disease -denial -anger -negotiation

-depression -acceptance -The kind of death desired by elderly – die with dignity in the comfort of children, relatives and friends. Do not want to die in hospitals or homes surrounded by strangers. Hospices (nursing home for dying) has been set up providing greater comfort and dignity.

Denarian 10 to 19 Vicenarian 20 to 29 Tricenarian 30 to 39 Quadragenarian 40 to 49 Quinquagenarian 50 to 59 Sexagenarian 60 to 69 Septuagenarian 70 to 79 Octogenarian 80 to 89 Nonagenarian 90 to 99 Centenarian 100 to 109Centenarian Supercentenarian 110 and olderSupercentenarian