1. Growing Older
Chapter 21

2. Lifespan Development
Changes and challenges that come with each stage of life.
Young Adulthood – Early 20’s through age 39.
Middle Age – Age 40 through 65.
Old Age – Age 66 through the end of life.
In the US, the current average lifespan is about 78 years of age.

3. Young Adulthood Early 20’s through age 39.
Forming an independent household
Form meaningful relationships (often involving engagement, marriage, and parenting)
Establish oneself in a satisfying, rewarding career.

4. Middle Adulthood Ages 40 through 65.
Many adults have their children before 35, and children usually are leaving their homes when the parents are 48 to 55 years old.
This time is usually spent as wage earners, independent singles, or renewed in companionship with their spouses.
Often called “Sandwich Generation”
Sandwiched between caring for their children, and caring for their aging parents.
Intergenerational caregiving – Caring for both older and younger generations at the same time.

5. Older Adulthood Age 66 through the end of life
The US Population is growing older
42 million people in the US today are at least 65 years old.
1 out of every 8 people, or 13% of the population
By 2030, it is expected that there will be 72 million over the age of 65.
By year 2050, this group is expected to total 88.5 million or almost 20.2 % of the population

6. Aspects of Aging Emotional Aspects Physical Aspects Financial Aspects
Housing Arrangements

7. Emotional Aspects
People may experience some identity problems in redefining their roles as they age
Parents whose children have left home may exhibit “empty nest syndrome”
A feeling of loneliness and depression after their children have left home
People who have followed a career usually reach a peak of career achievement in middle age
Middle age and older people have access to a whole new world. They can begin a new recreational and leisure time activities.
Middle aged and older adults must be able to adjust to new situations, and find new meaning in life.

8. Physical Aspects Physically, a human matures in about 25 years
Then at an extremely slow pace, the body begins to deteriorate.
People who eat balanced meals, get plenty of physical activity, have regular medical checkups, and maintain a positive attitude about life are likely to feel the effects of aging more slowly than others.
Skins wrinkles
Bones change chemical composition (becoming more brittle)
Heart muscles become less efficient
Blood vessels narrow
Sensory problems begin occurring (hearing and sight)

9. Financial Aspects Greatest worry
Social security alone does not meet all living cots
Medicare, Medicaid, and other government sponsored programs help may medical expenses, but may not be sufficient enough
Financial planning must be started early in life to build up savings and investments for the aging years
As people age, they typically turn to a trusted family member to take care of their financial aspects, to make sure everything is paid and taken care of.

10. Housing Arrangements
Many older people continue to live in the home they have lived for years
That is the most secure plan if the housing is convenient, safe, comfortable, and easy to maintain.
Moving older people from familiar surroundings can be a devastating blow to their feelings of security.
Sometimes a move MUST be made
Low-cost, public housing is typically available for older adults
Housing for older people with low or moderate incomes sometimes are sponsored by churches or other nonprofit groups with federal aid.
Retirement communities are also available, but usually very costly
Designed for older adults, and usually do not allow children or younger people to move in.
Social activities are also usually available, along with health care and shopping facilities.
If older people move in with their children, they may have to accept a secondary role.
About 4% of people of 65 in the US living in nursing homes, but 11% of people over 85 live in nursing homes.

11. New Roles in Later Years
Grandparenting
Become grandparents in middle age usually
Ties between grandparents and grandchildren may not be as strong as they used to since it is very easy to relocate now
Grandparents have more time to travel, pursue new leisure-time activities, and to be friends with their children
Retirement
Some adjust to retirement easier than others
It is a process, not a one-time event
Changes to daily schedule, financial concerns, legal concerns, health program concerns, and finding new leisure activities

12. Accepting Death as Reality to Life
Accepting death can be difficult to accept
Typically before death, people turn to hospice programs for help.
Medical facility designed for people who have only a few months or weeks to live
Home-like environment, or in home care
Emphasis on pain management and maintenance of a peaceful, supportive environment

13. Stages of Dying Stages of Dying – stages of acceptance of death
In the terms of the person who is dying:
Stage 1 – Denial
“No, not me”, cushions impact of finding out death in inevitable
Stage 2 – Anger
Resent that others are healthy and alive, but the patient is dying
Anger may be directed towards anyone, including themselves
Stage 3 – Bargaining
Accepting the fate of death, but bargaining for more time.
Stage 4 – Depression
Mourn past losses, things not done, and wrongs committed
Often grow quiet and doesn’t want visitors
Stage 5 – Acceptance
Final stage – death is close but patient is ready
Neither happy or unhappy, but usually calm and accepting

14. Stages of Grieving Stage 1 – Denial Stage 2 – Anger
Strong sense of disbelief
Stage 2 – Anger
“Why did you leave me?” – survivor takes on role of victim
Stage 3 – Bargaining
If still alive - survivor may ask “Please let them live. I will be good for them.”
Stage 4 – Depression
Feelings of loneliness and isolation
Great sense of loss, and feeling helpless
Stage 5 – Acceptance
Person realizes that the death is a fact and cannot be changed
Starts to see the loss in a constructive way
Stage of healing and recovery

15. Telling Children About Death
Suppressing or denying grief can have a damaging effect on anyone, especially a child
Be honest and gentle when telling children about death
Do not lie to children
First explain how flowers and pets die, and how it is a normal part of life.

16. Widows and Widowers Many marriages end when a spouse dies.
Widow is more often the survivor
Widow – a woman whose husband has died
Widower – a man whose wife has died
4 times as many widows as widowers
By age 85, a significant amount of wives are widows
They must adjust to a single lifestyle and take on the sole responsibility for their homes.

17. Legal Issues of Death
All states have laws dealing with the legal issues of death
They all require that physician or coroner examine the dead body and issue a certificate that states the time, place, and cause of death.
Autopsy – Detailed physical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death
Living Will – Allows people to choose whether or not they want to be kept alive when there is apparently no hope for them to recover
Organ Banks – Some people make arrangements so that when they die all or parts of their bodies are donated to medical science or placed in an organ bank
Funeral Arrangements – A ceremony that honors the person who has died
The Legal Will – Legal declaration of a person’s wishes concerning the way his or her property will be distributed after death
Names beneficiaries – those who will receive the property
Wills also name legal guardians for minor children