The Aging Journey Chapter 1 HPR 452

Introduction More over 65 than ever before Healthier, financially secure, independent Visible, Vocal, Everywhere you go Archaic view of aging still exists – period of declining and little feeling of hope The future of aging individuals is viewed as….at best “stability” for as long as possible….at worst “death after confinement in a LTC facility”

Another more appropriate view People do not do things in spite of being old. They achieve success because of who they are. Gerontologists view activities as important for quality of life - replacing what has been lost due to aging, retirement, etc. This perspective doesn’t recognize the power of leisure activities

“Ulyssean” McLeish (1976) Leisure can provide new pathways to growth and development Individuals dedicated to living No focus on quantity of activities Focus on openness to new ideas and opportunities Trained professionals assisting older individuals with leisure enhance quality of life

Successful Aging 1st of the Baby Boomers have turned 65 # of Americans enrolled in Medicare due to a disability has decreased from 25%-20% (1984-1999) (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2006 Not about what happens to people as they age but what they do while they age Growth and Development can occur at any age Not only of interest to TR but all Rec Professionals

The Aging Journey “Leisure” and “Aging” – both often misunderstood terms Leisure = Frivolous Aging = Decline & Loss Authors perspectives Leisure = Primary realm of behavior where growth and development may occur Aging = Natural part of the life cycle accompanied by advantages as well as losses

Stereotypes of Aging Social uselessness Life ends at 65 Elderly need things to “fill their time” and keep them busy until death What are some others????

http://www.wimp.com/residentsperform/ http://www.curiositiesbydickens.com/letter-from-a-mother-to-a-daughter/ http://video.staged.com/preacher/getting_old__mary_maxwell

Reality No such thing as a typical old person They are all unique individuals just like unique students They all have different needs and interests Later life can be an opportunity for growth, development and happiness Leisure Delivery professionals must understand the needs and possibilities

Positive Perspective The text views aging as a journey or series of journeys and not an arrival or terminal point Free time after retirement is not a problem but an opportunity Ulyssean adult is one who continues to seek new opportunities and adventures Only death can stop it – Process…not a state

Social Aspects Changes in social roles Process of socialization – process through which we absorb values, beliefs and knowledge that guide our behavior as a member of a social group – Lifelong Assume certain roles – multiple roles No set “norms” for the aging – spent their lives conforming to social demands (spouse, parent, employee) Now – What? Why? Result?

Social Responses # of aging individuals is increasing Younger individuals will provide caregiving, leisure service providers, volunteers, policy makers Attitude is important Stereotypes are a response

Stereotypes Two primary dimensions Competence Warmth Independence, skill, ability Warmth Trustworthiness, sincerity, friendship Elderly are generally viewed as warm but not competent More examples in book pgs 6-8

Self-Perception of Aging Things keep getting worse as I get older I have as much pep as I did last year As you get older you are less useful I am as happy now as when I was younger As I get older things are (better, worse, about the same) as I thought they would be

Results “Median survival of those in the more positive self-perceptions of aging group was 7.6 years longer than the median survival of those in the negative aging stereotype group” Greater impact on survival than gender, socioeconomic status, functional health and loneliness

Ageism The ultimate prejudice, the last discrimination, the cruelest rejection…it is the third great “ism” in our society, after racism and sexism. Palmore (2001) Personal, Institutional, Intentional, Unintentional ageisms – text pg 11 “Police in Norway stopped a 94 y/o runner because they thought she escaped from a Nursing Home” Sports Illustrated (June 16, 2003) Examples in book pg 12

Leisure Service Providers Confront our own perceptions Assist the elderly to overcome their perceptions Intergenerational activities – Quality of interaction Accurate knowledge of aging Forgetfulness/senility - interest in sexuality/dirty old person – time spent alone/isolation and loneliness, etc

Demography of Aging Demographics are a composite picture – not about a given individual A starting point to understand forces resulting in the social phenomenon of aging General characteristics of the aging population

Life Expectancy Overall: 1900 = 47.3 yrs 1996 = 76.1 yrs 2009 = 78.2 After age 65: (more accurate indicator of later life longevity) 1900 – 65 + 11.9 yrs = 76.9 1996 – 65 + 17.7 yrs = 82.7 2003 – 65 + 18.4 yrs = 83.4 2009 – 65 + 18.8 yrs = 83.8

Effects of Gender and Race Female born in 1997 – L.E. 79.4 yrs Male born in 1997 – L.E. 73.6 yrs Female reach 65 in 2003 +19.8 yrs Male reach 65 in 2003 +16.8 yrs Female reaching 65 = L.E. 85 Male reaching 65 = L.E. 82 2003 at 65 – w/f = 19 b/f = 18 w/m = 17 b/m = 15

Age Composition 1900 >4% of population 65 or over 2010 – 13.1% (approx 40 mil) 2010 – 2.6 mil celebrated 65th bday 7000/day Annual Net increase in over 65 pop 814,000 people Projection – 2020 55 mil over 65 2030 71.5 mil over 65 (20% of population)

Oldest Old 85 y/o or older – “oldest old” Fastest growing age group 2005 – 5.1 mil (42 x larger than in 1900) – 14% of elderly population By 2050 – will be 24% of 65 and older pop – 5% of US pop

Race and Ethnicity Approx 15% of white pop 65 or over 8.2% non-Hispanic black 4.9% Hispanic 7.8% American Indians & Native Alaskans 7.8% Asians and Pacific Islanders

Older pop among minorities increasing 2010 – 20% of elderly pop in US was other than non-Hispanic white Will increase to approx 24% by 2020 1999-2030 – over 65 white up 81% Same period – Minority expected up 217% Largest in Hispanic – 322% Asian – 301% African-American – 128%

Living Arrangements 2010 – Lived with spouse 2010 -Lived alone 70% of males 41% of females 2010 -Lived alone 19% of males 37% of females 2011 – 47% of women and 29% of men over 75 lived alone 2009 – 4.1% over 65 lived in LTC 2009 - 13% over 85 lived in LTC

Gender # of males per 100 females = sex ratio for total population 2000 – 65 or over ratio = 70 65 – 74 age ratio = 82 85 and over ratio = 41

Marital Status 2005 72% of noninstitutionalized men and 42% of women living with spouse 46% of women over 65 were widows 77% of women over 85 were widows 35% of men 85 and over were widowed

Economic Characteristics Older pop is poorer than general pop 2005 – 10% household income below $15,000.00 53.9% household income over $35,000.00 Poverty rate among African-Americans and Hispanics higher than that of whites and Asians

Employment 2005 – 5.3 mil (15.1%) working or seeking work 1/3 of men 65 or over and 13.5% 70 or older were in labor force Women – 23.7% 65-69 and 7.1% over 75 were in labor force

Education Aging pop is more educated than at any other time HS diploma – rose from 28% to 74% between 1970-2004 In 2005 at least 19% had Bachelor’s There are racial and ethnic differences

Health Characteristics Older less healthy than younger Over ½ 65 and older reported disability Leading causes of death among older individuals – heart disease (31.2%), cancer (21.6%), stroke (7.7%), chronic lower respiratory disease (6%) Inactivity a major cause

Baby Boomers 26.8% of Americans 3 mil boomers turned 60 in 2006 By 2030 boomers will be 66-84 (20% of pop) 17% of boomers people of color 1/3 are obese Annual spending power $2 trillion Over 75% expected to work past 65

So What? More older people Increasing diversity (racial, ethnic, financial) Providers must prepare for ageing of America Don’t lose sight, as providers, on individual needs Aggregate data provides basis for policy making

Conclusion Maintaining function vs. Personal Growth Model (harmonious with Ulyssean lifestyle) Aging means they have successfully negotiated at least 65 years of life Don’t let myths and stereotypes deprive them of needed services and opportunities