1. The Aging Journey Chapter 1
HPR 452

2. Introduction More over 65 than ever before
Healthier, financially secure, independent
Visible, Vocal, Everywhere you go
Archaic view of aging still exists – period of declining and little feeling of hope
The future of aging individuals is viewed as….at best “stability” for as long as possible….at worst “death after confinement in a LTC facility”

3. Another more appropriate view
People do not do things in spite of being old. They achieve success because of who they are.
Gerontologists view activities as important for quality of life - replacing what has been lost due to aging, retirement, etc.
This perspective doesn’t recognize the power of leisure activities

4. “Ulyssean” McLeish (1976)
Leisure can provide new pathways to growth and development
Individuals dedicated to living
No focus on quantity of activities
Focus on openness to new ideas and opportunities
Trained professionals assisting older individuals with leisure enhance quality of life

5. Successful Aging 1st of the Baby Boomers have turned 65
# of Americans enrolled in Medicare due to a disability has decreased from 25%-20% ( )
(Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2006
Not about what happens to people as they age but what they do while they age
Growth and Development can occur at any age
Not only of interest to TR but all Rec Professionals

6. The Aging Journey
“Leisure” and “Aging” – both often misunderstood terms
Leisure = Frivolous
Aging = Decline & Loss
Authors perspectives
Leisure = Primary realm of behavior where growth and development may occur
Aging = Natural part of the life cycle accompanied by advantages as well as losses

7. Stereotypes of Aging Social uselessness Life ends at 65
Elderly need things to “fill their time” and keep them busy until death
What are some others????

9. Reality No such thing as a typical old person
They are all unique individuals just like unique students
They all have different needs and interests
Later life can be an opportunity for growth, development and happiness
Leisure Delivery professionals must understand the needs and possibilities

10. Positive Perspective
The text views aging as a journey or series of journeys and not an arrival or terminal point
Free time after retirement is not a problem but an opportunity
Ulyssean adult is one who continues to seek new opportunities and adventures
Only death can stop it – Process…not a state

11. Social Aspects Changes in social roles
Process of socialization – process through which we absorb values, beliefs and knowledge that guide our behavior as a member of a social group – Lifelong
Assume certain roles – multiple roles
No set “norms” for the aging – spent their lives conforming to social demands (spouse, parent, employee)
Now – What? Why? Result?

12. Social Responses # of aging individuals is increasing
Younger individuals will provide caregiving, leisure service providers, volunteers, policy makers
Attitude is important
Stereotypes are a response

13. Stereotypes Two primary dimensions Competence Warmth
Independence, skill, ability
Warmth
Trustworthiness, sincerity, friendship
Elderly are generally viewed as warm but not competent
More examples in book pgs 6-8

14. Self-Perception of Aging
Things keep getting worse as I get older
I have as much pep as I did last year
As you get older you are less useful
I am as happy now as when I was younger
As I get older things are (better, worse, about the same) as I thought they would be

15. Results
“Median survival of those in the more positive self-perceptions of aging group was 7.6 years longer than the median survival of those in the negative aging stereotype group”
Greater impact on survival than gender, socioeconomic status, functional health and loneliness

16. Ageism
The ultimate prejudice, the last discrimination, the cruelest rejection…it is the third great “ism” in our society, after racism and sexism Palmore (2001)
Personal, Institutional, Intentional, Unintentional ageisms – text pg 11
“Police in Norway stopped a 94 y/o runner because they thought she escaped from a Nursing Home” Sports Illustrated (June 16, 2003)
Examples in book pg 12

17. Leisure Service Providers
Confront our own perceptions
Assist the elderly to overcome their perceptions
Intergenerational activities – Quality of interaction
Accurate knowledge of aging
Forgetfulness/senility - interest in sexuality/dirty old person – time spent alone/isolation and loneliness, etc

18. Demography of Aging
Demographics are a composite picture – not about a given individual
A starting point to understand forces resulting in the social phenomenon of aging
General characteristics of the aging population

19. Life Expectancy Overall: 1900 = 47.3 yrs 1996 = 76.1 yrs
2009 = 78.2
After age 65: (more accurate indicator of later life longevity)
1900 – yrs = 76.9
1996 – yrs = 82.7
2003 – yrs = 83.4
2009 – yrs = 83.8

20. Effects of Gender and Race
Female born in 1997 – L.E yrs
Male born in 1997 – L.E yrs
Female reach 65 in yrs
Male reach 65 in yrs
Female reaching 65 = L.E. 85
Male reaching 65 = L.E. 82
2003 at 65 – w/f = 19 b/f = 18
w/m = 17 b/m = 15

21. Age Composition 1900 >4% of population 65 or over
2010 – 13.1% (approx 40 mil)
2010 – 2.6 mil celebrated 65th bday
7000/day
Annual Net increase in over 65 pop
814,000 people
Projection –
mil over 65
mil over 65 (20% of population)

22. Oldest Old 85 y/o or older – “oldest old” Fastest growing age group
2005 – 5.1 mil (42 x larger than in 1900) – 14% of elderly population
By 2050 – will be 24% of 65 and older pop – 5% of US pop

23. Race and Ethnicity Approx 15% of white pop 65 or over
8.2% non-Hispanic black
4.9% Hispanic
7.8% American Indians & Native Alaskans
7.8% Asians and Pacific Islanders

24. Older pop among minorities increasing
2010 – 20% of elderly pop in US was other than non-Hispanic white
Will increase to approx 24% by 2020
– over 65 white up 81%
Same period – Minority expected up 217%
Largest in Hispanic – 322%
Asian – 301%
African-American – 128%

25. Living Arrangements 2010 – Lived with spouse 2010 -Lived alone
70% of males 41% of females
2010 -Lived alone
19% of males 37% of females
2011 – 47% of women and 29% of men over 75 lived alone
2009 – 4.1% over 65 lived in LTC
% over 85 lived in LTC

26. Gender # of males per 100 females = sex ratio for total population
2000 – 65 or over ratio = 70
65 – 74 age ratio = 82
85 and over ratio = 41

27. Marital Status
2005
72% of noninstitutionalized men and 42% of women living with spouse
46% of women over 65 were widows
77% of women over 85 were widows
35% of men 85 and over were widowed

28. Economic Characteristics
Older pop is poorer than general pop
2005 – 10% household income below $15,000.00
53.9% household income over $35,000.00
Poverty rate among African-Americans and Hispanics higher than that of whites and Asians

29. Employment 2005 – 5.3 mil (15.1%) working or seeking work
1/3 of men 65 or over and 13.5% 70 or older were in labor force
Women – 23.7% and 7.1% over 75 were in labor force

30. Education Aging pop is more educated than at any other time
HS diploma – rose from 28% to 74% between
In 2005 at least 19% had Bachelor’s
There are racial and ethnic differences

31. Health Characteristics
Older less healthy than younger
Over ½ 65 and older reported disability
Leading causes of death among older individuals – heart disease (31.2%), cancer (21.6%), stroke (7.7%), chronic lower respiratory disease (6%)
Inactivity a major cause

32. Baby Boomers 26.8% of Americans 3 mil boomers turned 60 in 2006
By 2030 boomers will be (20% of pop)
17% of boomers people of color
1/3 are obese
Annual spending power $2 trillion
Over 75% expected to work past 65

33. So What? More older people
Increasing diversity (racial, ethnic, financial)
Providers must prepare for ageing of America
Don’t lose sight, as providers, on individual needs
Aggregate data provides basis for policy making

34. Conclusion
Maintaining function vs. Personal Growth Model (harmonious with Ulyssean lifestyle)
Aging means they have successfully negotiated at least 65 years of life
Don’t let myths and stereotypes deprive them of needed services and opportunities