1. An Aging Society
Chapter 9

2. Aging as a Social Problem
Aging places stress on the individual and society
Long term failure of social institutions to accommodate the elderly
Failure of the family to adapt to presence of older members
Strain on the labor force as careers of the young are blocked by those in their middle years

3. Aging as a Social Problem
Three factors are related to some of the problems of the aged
1. Labeling, which leads to discrimination and stigmatization of the elderly
2. The concept of work as the basis of personal value and the impact of retirement
3. Economic deprivation

4. Perspectives on Aging
Functionalists view aging as a problem because institutions of society are not working well enough to serve the needs of an aging population
Interactionists view the term elderly as a stigmatizing label (ageism) that negatively impacts the elderly in society
Conflict theorists view the problems of the elderly stemming from their lack of power to shape social institutions

5. The Elderly in America Today
Problems of the elderly today are tied to the process of modernization
The transformation of societies into complex urban and industrialized communities
Modernization has led to increased life expectancy
Medical advances
Modern techniques of sanitation and water supply and nutritional intake

6. The Elderly in America Today
Increased life expectancy has also led to more major health problems among the elderly
Urbanization has also led to a shift in the elderly population geographically
Rural elderly in the Midwest and Plains states
Movement of the elderly to Florida and the Southwest

7. Age Stratification
Age stratification – the segregation of the population into various age strata
Limits the roles of different age strata
Age stratification is related to some of the disengagement of the elderly from certain social roles
Work roles as an illustration

8. Age Stratification
Age stratification is also related to age segregation and conflict
Segregated into retirement communities
Intergenerational conflict

9. Who Are the Elderly?
The elderly are a diverse population often broken down into three groups
Young-old - those between the ages of 65 to 75
Still inclined to be healthy and active
Steady increase in the population over 65 over the next generation
Aging of the baby boom generation
Old-old - those over 75
More likely to require support services

10. Who Are the Elderly? Oldest-old - those over the age of 85
Frail elderly consist of those over 65 because of poor health and economic problems can not care for themselves without help
Two-thirds of the elderly live in urban areas
The elderly often represent a large portion of the population of small towns with out-migration of the young
Elderly migration to the West and South and the formation of retirement communities

11. Who Are the Elderly? The Uneven Graying of America
The 2000 census revealed that the elderly population is continuing to grow rapidly, it is not evenly distributed over the continent
During the last decade, the most rapid increases in the elderly population were among the oldest of the old, those over 85

12. Ageism
Ageism is the subordination of and devaluation of the elderly in society
Ageism is reflected in government
Administration on Aging has low status within government
Aging departments are often the subject of budget cuts during lean times

13. Ageism Ageism is reflected in mandatory retirement Loss of status
Economic security
Social isolation
Ageism is reflected in the media
Negative portrayal of the elderly
Ageism is also reflected in the high rate of suicide among the elderly

14. Ageism
Ageism is also reflected in the high rate of suicide among the elderly
Suicide among the elderly is related to
Loss of status and income
Poor health
Loss of friend and family relationships and social isolation

15. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Physiological Aspects of Aging
Chronological Aging - simple accumulation of years
Gerontology has emerged as a discipline concerned with studying the aging process

16. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Physiological Aspects of Aging
Primary and secondary aging
Primary aging is the result of molecular and cellular changes
Gray hair
Wrinkling of skin
Weakened immune system
Brain cell loss

17. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Physiological Aspects of Aging
Primary and secondary aging
Secondary aging is caused by environmental factors:
Lack of exercise
Stress
Trauma
Poor diet
Disease

18. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Physiological Aspects of Aging
Primary and secondary aging
Aging is a gradual process
Carries a personal timetable
Effects of aging are not inevitable
Preventative strategies can be used to slow the aging process

19. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Psychological Dimensions of Aging
The psychological effects of aging
The shrinking of one’s social environment
Self-concept
Loss of status
Circle of friends and family grow smaller
The negative label associated with aging impacts the elderly’s well-being

20. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Social and Cultural Dimensions of Aging
The Aged as a Minority Group
Victims of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination
Quasi-minority
Potential power of the elderly is enormous

21. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Social and Cultural Dimensions of Aging
Myths and Stereotypes About the Elderly
The elderly are often viewed as
Senile
Lacking individuality
Tranquil
Nonproductive
Conservative and resistant to change

22. Dimensions of the Aging Process
Social and Cultural Dimensions of Aging
Myths and Stereotypes About the Elderly
Myths about older women
Health - older women are hypochondriacs
Marriage - widowhood is viewed negatively
Widowhood - widows base their identities on their dead husbands
The rocking-chair image

23. Concomitants of Aging Victimization of the Elderly Victims of fraud
Victims of crime
Elder Abuse
At least 1.5 million cases of elder abuse each year
Private households
Institutional settings

24. Concomitants of Aging Health Care and the Aged Chronic illnesses
Growing health care needs and lack of income to afford it
Medicare
Medicaid, of which 35 percent goes towards the elderly

25. Concomitants of Aging Economic Discrimination
Older workers are targets of job discrimination
Mandatory retirement
Discrimination in looking for jobs
Overqualified
1967 Age and Discrimination Employment Act
Prohibits discrimination of workers between the age of 40-65

26. Concomitants of Aging Economic Discrimination Multiple Jeopardy
Minority workers often experience double discrimination
Family Problems
Institutional placement is often a difficult decision
A growing number of elderly people are facing the burden of rearing their grandchildren

27. Concomitants of Aging Retirement Retirement and the dependency ratio
Non working population that is dependent on those that are working for support
Dependency ratio and the cost of:
Medicare
Social Security

28. Concomitants of Aging Death Kübler-Ross and the dying process:
1. Denial and isolation
2. Anger and resentment
3. Bargaining and an attempt to postpone death
4. Depression and a sense of loss
5. Acceptance

29. Concomitants of Aging Death
Hospice - special institutions designed for the terminally ill
Home hospice care
Death with Dignity

30. Social Policy
Housing
Living alone and dealing with isolation and loneliness
Elderly who live with their adult children or relatives do so for financial reasons or declining health
Elderly face limited housing choices

31. Social Policy Health Care
Growing elderly population in need of health care
Medicare and growing cost
Long-term care
Subsidies for prescription drugs

32. Social Policy Retirement and Social Security
Social Security benefits are too small for the purposes these subsidies meet
Inequality and social security payments
Low-income workers receive less
Discriminates against women