1. What are issues or aspects of life that the elderly experience or that sociologist may study?

2. What values do we place on age? Social status Knowledge Employment Retirement Sports Hobbies / leisure Family

3. Ageism “ belief that one age category is by nature superior to another age category” Most often used against the elderly in industrial societies Many stereotypes are portrayed about the elderly throughout the media outlets

4. Elderly stereotypes Unproductive Cranky Physically impaired Mentally impaired Medications Poor health Poverty

5. The Aging World Over 600 million people 60 or over worldwide By the year 2050 / 2 billon U.S. population 15% is 60 or over “Graying of America” by 2025, 20% Advances in health care Baby Boomers ( rise in births from1946 to 1960 )

6. American Association of Retired Persons ( AARP ) Largest special interest group in America ( 40 million members ) Financial advice Health insurance Travel Prescription discounts Magazine

7. Social Security / Medicare Social Security: funded by payroll or income taxes on workers, employers, and self- employed for pensions of retired workers and the disabled. Medicare: government sponsored health insurance plan for elderly Americans and Americans with disabilities