Sociology, Tenth Edition Aging and the Elderly. Sociology, Tenth Edition Graying of United States Seniors now 12.4 percent of the population Soon, baby

Sociology, Tenth Edition

Aging and the Elderly


Graying of United States

• Seniors now 12.4 percent of the population

• Soon, baby boomers (born after WWII-mid-60’s) will number 75 million

• The elderly populations of rich nations is increasing most rapidly

• By 2030– 20 percent will be over age 65– About half the population will be over

the age of 40


Figure 15-1 The Graying of U.S. Society


Aging Population Increase • Birth rate: going down

– Decreased infant mortality– Children are a major expense– Advances in birth control

• Life expectancy: going up– Improved housing, nutrition and

increased wealth

• Medical advances – Almost eliminated infectious diseases– Treat cancer and heart disease


Sociological Impact

• Cultural change– Elderly more visible

• “Young-old” and “old-old”– Younger elderly 65-75

• Independent with good health and financial security

– Older elderly past age 75• Dependent on others

– Over age 85 fastest growing segment• Women outnumber men


Biological Changes• Gerontology

– Study of aging and the elderly– Attitude toward aging depends on societal

values– In America, a dim view of such changes is

taken

• Physical changes– Predictable graying of hair, wrinkles, loss of

height and weight, decline in strength and vitality and sensory changes

– Odds of chronic illnesses and life-threatening conditions rise steadily

• Reality we overestimate physical problems– A majority of those over 65 report good health– “Well-to-do” people have it better since they

can afford preventive care


National Map 15-1 The Elderly Population of the United States


Psychological Changes

• Advancing age does not mean certain impairment of mental abilities– Some research reports increases in

math and verbal skills

• Personality changes– The elderly can become more

introspective• More “self-awareness”

– Major shifts in personalities do not normally take place


Aging and Culture• The significance of growing old

varies according to culture• Age stratification

– Unequal distribution of wealth, power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course

• Hunting and gathering societies• Pastoral, horticultural and agrarian

societies• Industrial and postindustrial

societies


Transitions and Challenges of Aging

• Finding meaning• Social isolation• Retirement• Aging and poverty• Care giving• Ageism• The elderly: a minority?


Finding Meaning

• Erikson: resolve a tension of integrity vs. despair

• Neugarten studied people in their 70’s– Personality type

• Disintegrated and disorganized• Passive-dependent• Defended• Integrated

– Successful aging lies in maintaining dignity and self-confidence and accepting advancing age


Table 15-1 Living Arrangements of the Elderly, 2000


Social Isolation• Isolation is common among elderly• Retirement, limited mobility, and negative

stereotypes close off sources of social interaction

• Death of significant others – Three-fourths of widows and widowers cite loneliness

as serious problem

• Older people value independence• Family members are major source of social

support– Daughters more than sons


Retirement• Work is an important part of personal

identity• To minimize loss of prestige

– New activities and interests– Volunteer work can fill time voids– Part-time work can offer additional monies

• Retirement is a recent idea in industrialized societies occurring within the last century

• When or whether we retire– While not mandatory, 83% of men and 91% of

women are no longer in the labor force at age 65 in the united states


Poverty• Home mortgage is usually paid off,

some costs rise for the elderly– Medical care, household help and

utilities

• Social security is the major source of income – Those elderly who fall below the

poverty line at age 65 equals 10.2% of U.S. Population

– Median individual income for women is $10,899 and men $19,168


Figure 15-2 U.S. Poverty

Rates, by Age, 2000


Care Giving

• Informal and unpaid care provided to a dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends

• 80% of caregivers are family members, daughters– Married, with children and a job

• Elder abuse


Elder Abuse

• From passive neglect to active torment

• In many forms: verbal, emotional, financial and physical

• More than one million a year, severe abuse

• Major causes– “Sandwich generation” stress

•Caregiver works fulltime, cares for young children and is poor

– Caregiver feels little affection for elder, finds them difficult and has little support from others


Ageism • Prejudice and discrimination against

the elderly• Blatant ageism

– Deny people due to age

• Subtle ageism– Ways which culture perpetuates

stereotypes of the elderly• Negative images and jokes

• Should the elderly be given “minority group” status?


Theoretical Perspective• Structural-functionalism

– Disengagement theory• Society enhances its orderly operation by

disengaging people from positions of responsibility as they reach old age

• Symbolic interaction– Activity theory

• A high level of activity enhances personal satisfaction in old age

• Social conflict– Inequality based on age categories

• Different opportunities and access to social resources, creating a system of age stratification


Death and Dying• Historical patterns of death• Modern separation of life and

death• Ethical issues: confronting

death– Death occurs when an

irreversible state takes place– Right to die debate

• Living wills• Euthanasia


Bereavement• Time of profound grief and social

disorientation that persist for some time• Experts agree that how a family and

friends view an impending death affects the person who is dying

• Hospice movement • Bereavement is less intense for someone

who accepts the death of the loved one and their relationship has reached a satisfactory resolution


The Future• Increasing numbers

– By 2050, more elderly than people in the U.S.A. In 1900

• Need to review support services for the elderly– Availability and sufficiency

• The elderly should experience a better quality of life– Medical technology– Financial strength

• Changes in how death is viewed– Death will again become a natural part of the

life cycle – no longer social taboo

Documents

Sociology, Tenth Edition Aging and the Elderly. Sociology, Tenth Edition Graying of United States Seniors now 12.4 percent of the population Soon, baby