Chapter 15 Aging and the Elderly

Biological Changes Sociology, Eleventh Edition Gerontology – s tudy of aging and the elderly Physical changes  Predictable graying of hair, wrinkles, loss of height and weight, decline in strength and vitality and sensory changes  Odds of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions rise steadily  short-term illnesses less likely We overestimate physical problems  Majority over 65 report good health  “Well-to-do” people have it better since they can afford preventive care

Psychological Changes Sociology, Eleventh Edition Does not mean certain impairment of mental abilities  Some research reports increases in math and verbal skills Personality changes  Can become more introspective  more “self-awareness”  Major shifts in personalities do not normally take place

Graying of United States Sociology, Eleventh Edition Seniors (65 and over) now 13% of the population (2010 census) Soon, baby boomers (born after WWII-mid-60’s) will number 75 million Elderly populations of rich nations increasing most rapidly By 2030  20 percent will be over age 65  About half the population will be over the age of 40

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Figure 15-1 (p. 395) 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 thirty-five years and will continue to rise. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2004).

Aging Population Increase Sociology, Eleventh Edition Birth rate: going down  Decreased infant mortality  Children are a major expense  Advances in birth control Life expectancy: going up  Improved housing and nutrition  Increased wealth Medical advances  Almost eliminated infectious diseases  Treat cancer and heart disease

Sociological Impact Sociology, Eleventh Edition “Young-old” and “old-old”  Younger elderly  Independent, good health, financial security  Older elderly past age 75  Dependent on others  Over age 85 fastest growing segment  Women outnumber men articles Cultural change - elderly more visible

Sociology, Eleventh Edition National Map 15-1 (p. 397) The Elderly Population across the United States Common sense suggests that elderly people live in the Sunbelt, enjoying the warmer climate of the South and Southwest. Although it is true that Florida has a disproportionate share of people over age 65, it turns out that most counties with high percentages of older people are in the Midwest. What do you think accounts for this pattern? Hint: Which regions of the U.S. do younger people leave in search of jobs? Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2001).

Aging and Culture Sociology, Eleventh Edition Age stratification – unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course Not only biological, socially constructed Attitude toward aging depends on societal values Significance of growing old varies according to culture Hunting and gathering societies  Survival based on strength and stamina  30ish old, less active, economic burden

Aging and Culture Sociology, Eleventh Edition Pastoral, horticultural and agrarian societies  Accumulated wealth  Gerontocracy – social organization in which elderly have most wealth, power, prestige Industrial and postindustrial societies  Little power and prestige  Source of wealth businesses/goods  Modern living arrangements separate  Rapid change makes skills, traditions, life experiences irrelevant  Nonproductive roles  Traditional occupations  elders elderly

Sociology, Eleventh Edition Global Map 15-1 (p. 400) Life Expectancy in Global Perspective Life expectancy shot upward over the course of the 20 th century in high-income countries, including Canada, the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, and Australia. A newborn in the U.S. can now expect to live about 77 years, and our life expectancy would be greater still were it not for the high risk of death among infants born into poverty. Because poverty is the rule in much of the world, lives are correspondingly shorter, especially in parts of Africa, where life expectancy may be less than 40 years. Source: Population Reference Bureau (2005).

What’s Your View? Categories/Life stages from teenagers on with ages assigned to each Beauties and opportunities of each life stage Cocoon & How to Live Forever documentary Life expectancy calculators Sociology, Eleventh Edition

Transitions and Challenges of Aging Finding meaning  integrity vs. despair (Erikson)  Successful aging lies in maintaining dignity and self-confidence and accepting advancing age Social isolation  Retirement, limited mobility, and negative stereotypes close off sources of social interaction  Death of significant others  Three-fourths of widows and widowers cite loneliness as serious problem  Older people value independence  Family members are major source of social support  Daughters more than sons Sociology, Eleventh Edition

Table 15-1 (p. 401) Living Arrangements of the Elderly, 2003 Sociology, Eleventh Edition

Transitions and Challenges of Aging Sociology, Eleventh Edition Social Isolation cont. – Retirement Recent idea in industrialized societies occurring within the last century When or whether we retire  While not mandatory, 83% of men and 91% of women are no longer in the labor force at age 65 in the United States Work is an important part of personal identity To minimize loss of prestige  New activities and interests  Volunteer work can fill time voids  Part-time work can offer additional monies

Transitions and Challenges of Aging Poverty  Home mortgage is usually paid off, some costs rise for the elderly  Medical care, household help, utilities  Social security is the major source of income  elderly who fall below the poverty line at age 65 equals 9.8% of U.S. Population  Median individual income women=$11,789, men=$20,527 Sociology, Eleventh Edition

Figure 15-2 (p. 405) U.S. Poverty Rates, by Age, 2004 The highest poverty rate is for young people, but among older people, the rate rises once again. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2005).

Transitions and Challenges of Aging Caregiving  Informal and unpaid care provided to a dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends  80% of caregivers are family members, daughters make up 75%  Married, with children and a job  Elder abuse  From passive neglect to active torment  Many forms: verbal, emotional, financial and physical  More than one million a year, severe abuse  Major causes “Sandwich generation” stress - caregiver works fulltime, cares for young children and is poor Caregiver feels little affection for elder, finds them difficult and has little support from others Sociology, Eleventh Edition

Transitions and Challenges of Aging Sociology, Eleventh Edition Ageism – prejudice and discrimination against the elderly  Blatant ageism  Deny people due to age  Subtle ageism  Ways which culture perpetuates stereotypes of the elderly Negative images and jokes Driving, Millennials articles

Theoretical Perspective Sociology, Eleventh Edition Structural-functionalism  Disengagement theory  Society enhances its orderly operation by disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age Symbolic interaction  Activity theory  A high level of activity enhances personal satisfaction in old age Social conflict  Inequality based on age categories  Different opportunities and access to social resources, creating a system of age stratification – unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course

Death and Dying Sociology, Eleventh Edition Historical patterns vs. modern Ethical issues  Death – the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity (merriam-webster med)  Right to die debate: Living wills & Euthanasia – (aka mercy killing) assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease Kubler-Ross Stages of Death 1. D enialSome argue bereavement 2. Angerfollows same pattern 3. Negotiation 4. Resignation 5. Acceptance

Bereavement Sociology, Eleventh Edition Period of grief and mourning after a death Time of profound grief and social disorientation that persist for some time Bereavement is less intense for someone who accepts the death of the loved one and their relationship has reached a satisfactory resolution Experts agree that how a family and friends view an impending death affects the person who is dying Hospice movement

The Future Sociology, Eleventh Edition Increasing numbers  By 2050, more elderly than people in the U.S.A. In 1900 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  Death will again become a natural part of the life cycle – no longer social taboo