Chapter 18

Aging Families

Chapter Outline Our Aging Population Living Arrangements of Older Americans Aging in Today’s Economy Marriage Relationships in Later Life

Chapter Outline Later-Life Divorce and Widowhood Older Parents, Adult Children, and

Grandchildren Aging Families and Caregiving The Changing American Family and

Eldercare in the Future

Our Aging Population: Some Facts Today there are nearly 35 million

Americans age 65 or older. By the year 2050 there will be

approximately: 87 million Americans 65 and older. 21 million Americans age 85 and older.

Three Categories

1. Young-old (65-74)

2. Older-old (75-84)

3. Old-old (85 and older)

Number of Americans in Population Age Groups

U.S. Elderly and Nonelderly Population by Race/ethnicity

Living Arrangements Of Persons 65 and Over, by Race/Ethnicity

Living

Arrangement65–74

years old 75 and older

Total Population

Alone 27 40

With spouse 65 45

With other persons

11 15

Consequences of Longer Life Opportunities to maintain ties with

grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents.

Americans spend more years near the end of their lives with chronic health problems.

Older Women’s Finances 3/4 of elderly benefits of SSI are women. Women’s social security benefits average

about 76% of men's.

Marriage Relationships in Later Life Most older married couples describe their

union as happy. Older Americans value and have interest

in sex even into old age. In survey including those 75 and older,

50% of men and 85% of women said their sex lives were unimpaired by illness.

Adult RelationshipsWith Older Parents

Classifications: Tight-knit Sociable Obligatory Intimate but distant Detached

Six Indicators of Relationship Connection Geographical proximity Contact between members in a

relationship Emotional closeness Similarity of opinions Providing care Receiving care

Grandparenthood Average age for becoming a

grandparent is 47. Many grandparents find the role

deeply meaningful.

Grandparenthood Grandchildren give personal

pleasure and a sense of immortality. Grandfathers get to be involved with

babies, an activity discouraged when their own children were young.

Elder Care As a Family Process Only 5% of all older people live in nursing

homes. (2,000). Families continue to provide most care for

frail or disabled elders, except for financial support.

Caregiver Trajectory Caregiver becomes concerned about an

aging family member and expresses concern to others.

Caregiver begins to give advice to older family member.

Caregiver takes action to provide needed services.

Strategies for Moving Toward Better Eldercare Provide government funds that support

more care outside the family (day care centers and respite for caregivers).

Increase social recognition of care giving. Make care giving more economically

rewarding and/or less costly.

Quick Quiz

1. Health costs are rising, but health insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid are predicted to keep up.

a) True

b) False

Answer: False Health costs are rising, but health

insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid are not predicted to keep up.

2. As America ages, providing eldercare has become a central feature of American family life.

a) True

b) False

Answer: True As America ages, providing eldercare has

become a central feature of American family life.

3. The text points out that adults’ relationships with their parents can be classified in one of five ways. Which of the following is NOT one of these?

a) sociable

b) intimate but distant

c) economic

d) tight-knit

Answer: c The text points out that adults’

relationships with their parents can be classified in one of five ways. Economic is NOT one of these.

4. A(n) __________ type of intergenerational relations consists of adult children being engaged with their parents on emotional closeness and similarity of opinions, but not based on geographic proximity, frequency of contact, providing assistance, and receiving assistance.

a) sociable

b) detached

c) obligatory

d) intimate but distant

Answer: d Intimate but distant type of

intergenerational relations consists of adult children being engaged with their parents on emotional closeness and similarity of opinions, but not based on geographic proximity, frequency of contact, providing assistance, and receiving assistance.