Aging and Caring Teens and the Elderly

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are too old to hold responsible jobs. False They may not be as efficient where physical labor, speed or concentration are critical but most older workers perform as well as younger workers. They may not be as efficient where physical labor, speed or concentration are critical but most older workers perform as well as younger workers.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are cute and adorable. False Society often perceives older adults as children and treat them that way.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are senile. False It is normal for short-term memory to decrease over time and for information to be processed less efficiently than when they were young, but most are still “with it” mentally. By age 80, only 6% of the elderly population is senile.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are boring. False Old people have a wealth of experience and life stories that most are willing to share.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are in good or excellent health. True Most aged people consider their health to be good or excellent most of the time.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are ugly. False Our society is very youth-oriented, but that does not mean that only young people can be beautiful. Old age is a different kind of beauty, one enhanced by character and wisdom.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people can think clearly. True Older adults have a harder time picking up information because their eyesight and hearing often decline. The key to thinking clearly is being an active learner all your life, getting a good education and being in good health.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people can learn new things. True The older generation is more interested in the arts, in children, are more creative, philosophical and spiritual than those younger. Many take classes or do volunteer work.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are a burden. False Most older people live in their own homes and strive to be just as independent as possible.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people spend a lot of time doing very little. False Most older people keep as busy as they would like to be pursuing household chores, hobbies, volunteer work and social networks.

Old Age Quiz True or False Elderly people are in nursing homes. False What percent do you think are in nursing homes? The actual number is only 5%.

Aspects of Aging Emotional Aspects They may experience some identity problems in re-defining their roles as they age. They may experience some identity problems in re-defining their roles as they age. Physical Aspects The human body matures at about the age of 25. At this point, the body begins to deteriorate. The organs become less efficient and sensory problems occur. The human body matures at about the age of 25. At this point, the body begins to deteriorate. The organs become less efficient and sensory problems occur. Financial Aspects Finances are their greatest worry. Finances are their greatest worry. Social Security, Medicare and Pension Plans are not adequate. Social Security, Medicare and Pension Plans are not adequate.

Who is he?

Bill Knight At 87, A World War II veteran, he has the most straightforward patriotic view of the new conflicts. Bill Knight has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, which has spread. He’s been given treatment, but at his age, he doesn’t figure he has much time left. Increasingly infirm and unable to pay his bills since his wife died, he feels his grip on an orderly life slipping away. Bill nonetheless shows up to meet the troops with all the military precision he can muster. In fact, on the day he learned he had cancer; Bill was the first greeter to arrive at the airport.

Guy Terrell Bush, 83 years old when this photo was taken just before his death in 1985, stares out of a window after telling the story of the pitch that he threw to Babe Ruth which Ruth hit for his last major league home run 50 years before. On May 25, 1935 at Forbes Field, Ruth, playing for the Boston Braves, hit the last three home runs of his career. Bush was pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the third Pirates pitcher to face Ruth that day and give up a home run. Bush was known as "The Mississippi Mudcat" and played in the major leagues from , and a brief stint later in Bush had a lifetime record of and an ERA of 3.86 with 850 strikeouts. Bush pitched for the Chicago Cubs in the 1929 and 1932 World Series. He was born on August 23, 1901 in Aberdeen, Mississippi, and died on July 2, 1985 in Shannon, Mississippi.

Gail Halverson

Can we easily judge each other? What about the elderly? How can we develop closer relationships with the elderly around us? How are they like us? Who is around you?