1. The elderly: INEQUALITY and the LIFE course
Chapter 8 (Book 15)
The elderly: INEQUALITY and the LIFE course

2. The Elderly: Inequality and the Life Course
Learning Objectives
LO 8.1 Explain the increasing share of elderly people in modern societies.
LO 8.2 Describe age stratification in global context.
LO 8.3 Discuss problems related to aging.
LO 8.4 Apply sociology’s major theories to the topic of aging.
LO 8.5 Analyze changing attitudes about the end of life.

3. The Power of Society
What is the likelihood that each of us will serve as a caregiver to an elderly parent or spouse?

4. Graying of United States
By 2011, over 41 million seniors and half population over 37
By 2050, over 83 million seniors and half population over 40
Share of elderly rising in nearly all high-income nations
LO 8.1 Explain the increasing share of elderly people in modern societies.

6. Causes of Aging Population Increase
Life expectancy increasing
Improved housing, nutrition and increased wealth
Birth rate decreasing
Decreased infant mortality
Children are a major expense
Advances in birth control

7. Causes of Aging Population Increase
Medical advances
Almost eliminated childhood infectious diseases
Treat cancer and heart disease

9. An Aging Society Culture change Elderly more visible
Gradual age segregation decline
More older college students and second careers
Increases in social diversity

10. “Young-old” and “old-old”
An Aging Society
“Young-old” and “old-old”
Younger elderly 65-75: Independent with good health and financial security
Older elderly past 75: More health problems and dependent on others
Oldest old over age 85: Fastest growing segment with 67% are women

11. Biological Changes: What Is…?
Gerontology
Study of aging and the elderly
Attitude toward aging depends on societal values
Physical changes
Graying hair, wrinkles, loss of height and weight, decline in strength, vitality, and senses
LO 8.2 Describe age stratification in global context.

12. Growing Old: A Matter of Culture
The reality of growing old is as much a matter of culture as it is of biology.
In the United States, being elderly often means being inactive.
In many other countries of the world elders often continue many familiar and productive routines.

13. Aging and Culture Aging and Culture
The significance of growing old varies according to culture.
Longevity related to technology and standard of living.

14. Biological Changes Health Most over 65 report good health.
“Well-to-do” people are healthier since they can afford preventive care.

15. Psychological Changes
Advancing age does not mean certain impairment of mental abilities.
Some research reports improved math and verbal skills.
Personality changes
Elderly can become more introspective.
Shifts in personality do not normally take place.

16. Aging and Culture: What Is…?
Age stratification
Unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege among people at many stages of life
Gerontocracy
Form of social organization in which the elderly have the most wealth, power, and prestige

17. Levels of Technology Development
Aging and Culture
Levels of Technology Development
Hunting and gathering societies
Pastoral, horticultural, and agrarian societies
Industrial and postindustrial societies

19. Transitions and Challenges of Aging
Neugarten stages of coping
Disintegrated and disorganized personalities
Passive-dependent personalities
Defended personalities
Integrated personalities
LO 8.3 Discuss problems related to aging.

20. Transitions and Challenges of Aging
Erikson
Resolve a tension of integrity versus despair
Successful aging
Lies in maintaining dignity and self-confidence and accepting advancing age
LO 8.3 Discuss problems related to aging.

21. Retirement, limited mobility, and negative stereotypes
Social Isolation
Loneliness
Can be social, physical, or emotional
Gender
Affects patterns of social isolation
Retirement, limited mobility, and negative stereotypes
Close off social interaction
Greatest isolation
Death of significant others

22. Retirement
About retirement
Conditions of retirement matter.
Retirement means less personal identity and social prestige.
Loss of prestige can be minimized in variety of ways.

23. Aging and Poverty Poverty Home mortgage is usually paid off.
Medical care, household help, and utilities may increase.
Social security is major source of income.

25. Caregiving
Although parents provide caregiving to children, the term is more often applied to needs of elderly men and women.
80% of caregiving to elders is provided by family members; most are daughters.

26. Elder Abuse: What Is…? Elder abuse occurs with 3% of older people.

27. Abuse is most likely to occur if the caregiver:
Elder Abuse
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

28. Ageism is deeply rooted in our culture (Friedan).
Like racism and sexism, ageism builds physical traits into stereotypes.
Older people are more likely than younger to be mentally and physically impaired.
Ageism is deeply rooted in our culture (Friedan).

29. The Elderly: A Minority?
Streib: Elderly are not 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.

30. Theoretical Perspective
Structural-functional analysis
Disengagement theory: Society enhances its orderly operation by disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age
LO 8.4 Apply sociology’s major theories to the topic of aging.

31. Theoretical Perspective: Structural-Functional Analysis
Evaluation
Many workers need income from paid work.
Some elderly people enjoy work.
Societal benefits may not outweigh societal costs.
LO 8.4 Apply sociology’s major theories to the topic of aging.

32. Theoretical Perspective
Symbolic-interaction analysis
Activity theory: High level of activity enhances personal satisfaction in old age
LO 8.4 Apply sociology’s major theories to the topic of aging.

33. Theoretical Perspective: Symbolic-Interaction Analysis
Evaluation
Analytic focus shifts from societal to elderly needs.
Elders may not be both healthy and competent.
Societal impact on elderly not considered.
LO 8.4 Apply sociology’s major theories to the topic of aging.

34. Theoretical Perspective
Social-conflict analysis
Inequality is based on age categories.
Different opportunities and access to social resources create a system of age stratification.

35. Theoretical Perspective: Social-Conflict Analysis
Evaluation
Theory heightens understanding of age-based inequality and capitalism on aging process.
Theory does not address industrialism effects on aging.

36. Can You Compare?

37. Historical patterns of death
Death and Dying
Historical patterns of death
In the past, death was a familiar and accepted part of life.
Illness, accidents, and natural catastrophes made life uncertain.
With progress, dying happened to the very old or the young when rare cases occurred.
LO 8.5 Analyze changing attitudes about the end of life.

38. Modern separation of life and death
Death and Dying
Modern separation of life and death
Death may seem unnatural to marry and separated from life.
Modern society fosters a desire for eternal youth and immortality.
Most dying people occupy out-of-sight place.

39. Ethical issues: Confronting death
Death and Dying
Ethical issues: Confronting death
Definition of death: Irreversible state involving no response to stimulation, no movement or breathing, no reflexes, and no indication of brain activity.

40. Death and Dying Right-to-die
Living wills: Documents stating which medical procedures an individual wants or does not want
Euthanasia: Assisting in the death of a person suffering from an incurable disease

41. Hospice Movement About 40% of deaths in U.S. involve hospice care.
Hospices minimize pain and suffering and encourage family members to stay close by.

42. Stages of Death and Bereavement
Kübler–Ross
Most people usually confront their own death in stages.
Denial
Anger
Negotiation
Resignation
Acceptance

43. Bereavement Bereavement
Is persistent profound grief and social disorientation
Includes how a family and friends view an impending death affects the dying person
Is less intense for someone who accepts loved one’s death, and relationship has reached a satisfactory resolution

44. The share of our population over the age of sixty-five is going up.
In addition, older people are very likely to vote.
What do these facts lead you to predict about with health care for the elderly?

45. What Will The Future Hold?
Increasing numbers of elderly by 2050
Increasing health status, advancing medical technology, and growing financial strength of elderly
Need to review support services for the elderly

46. What Will The Future Hold?
Need to provide caregiving for more very old people.
Better quality of life for the elderly
Changes in how death is viewed

47. GLOSSARY Likelihood Caregiver Spouse Graying Mortality Visible Gradual
Vitality
Wrinkle
Longevity
Well-to-do
Impairment
Introspective
Gerontocracy
Transition
Resolve
Dignity
Enhance
Outweigh
Heighten
Strive
Catastrope
Foster
Eternal
Irreversible
Stimulation
Indication
Hospice
Bereavement
Negotiation
Profound
Grief
Impend