Social Aspects of Later Life Chapter 15

Older adults are sometimes stereotyped as MARGINAL and POWERLESS in society, much like children. Older adults are sometimes stereotyped as MARGINAL and POWERLESS in society, much like children. What is your view of older adults? What is your view of older adults?

Continuity Theory Continuity Theory People tend to cope with daily life in later adulthood by applying familiar strategies based on past experiences to maintain and preserve internal and external structures. People tend to cope with daily life in later adulthood by applying familiar strategies based on past experiences to maintain and preserve internal and external structures. The degree of continuity falls into three categories The degree of continuity falls into three categories Too Little – feeling that life is unpredictable Too Little – feeling that life is unpredictable Too Much- feeling boredom Too Much- feeling boredom Optimal – just enough change to challenge and provide interest Optimal – just enough change to challenge and provide interest

Internal continuity – a remembered inner past (temperament, experiences, emotions, skills Internal continuity – a remembered inner past (temperament, experiences, emotions, skills External continuity – remembered physical and social environment, role relationships, and activities. External continuity – remembered physical and social environment, role relationships, and activities. Maintaining both is important for adaptations later in life Maintaining both is important for adaptations later in life Competence is impacted by adaptation levels Competence is impacted by adaptation levels

Erikson’s Stage Erikson’s Stage Integrity versus Despair Integrity versus Despair Integrity is achieved when a person must come to terms with the choices and events that have made his/her life unique, acceptance that one’s life is drawing to a close. Integrity is achieved when a person must come to terms with the choices and events that have made his/her life unique, acceptance that one’s life is drawing to a close. Despair occurs when one is unsure whether they have made the right choices concerning life. They feel bitter about life choices, blame themselves or others for their misfortune, see their lives as meaningless, and fear death. Despair occurs when one is unsure whether they have made the right choices concerning life. They feel bitter about life choices, blame themselves or others for their misfortune, see their lives as meaningless, and fear death.

Evidence shows that older adults who are more involved and committed to their faith have better physical and mental health Evidence shows that older adults who are more involved and committed to their faith have better physical and mental health Reliance on religion in times of stress is especially important for African Americans. Reliance on religion in times of stress is especially important for African Americans. Older adults are more likely to talk to their ministers than to a psychotherapist Older adults are more likely to talk to their ministers than to a psychotherapist

Retirement Many retired people continue to work part-time. Many retired people continue to work part-time. Loss of occupational identity ( I am a teacher, I am a therapist, I am a firefighter) Loss of occupational identity ( I am a teacher, I am a therapist, I am a firefighter) What are you when you retire? What are you when you retire? Various reasons for retirement Various reasons for retirement When financial secure When financial secure Loss of job Loss of job Health Health Volunteer more! Volunteer more!

Friends and Family To older adults the most import thing In life is relationships To older adults the most import thing In life is relationships Life satisfaction greatly correlated with number and quality of friendships Life satisfaction greatly correlated with number and quality of friendships Having at least one close friend buffers against losses of roles and status Having at least one close friend buffers against losses of roles and status

Five types of sibling relationships Five types of sibling relationships Intimate sibling relationships Intimate sibling relationships Congenial sibling relationships Congenial sibling relationships Loyal sibling relationships Loyal sibling relationships Apathetic sibling relationships Apathetic sibling relationships Hostile sibling relationships Hostile sibling relationships

Marriage helps people deal better with chronic illness, functional problems, and disabilities Marriage helps people deal better with chronic illness, functional problems, and disabilities Marital satisfaction also predicts depressive symptoms Marital satisfaction also predicts depressive symptoms

More than half of all women over 65 are widowed and can expect to live years after being widowed More than half of all women over 65 are widowed and can expect to live years after being widowed Widows are at a higher risk themselves of dying Widows are at a higher risk themselves of dying For many women, widowhood means poverty For many women, widowhood means poverty Men are more likely to remarry than women Men are more likely to remarry than women

3 important aspects of great- grandparenthood: 3 important aspects of great- grandparenthood: Provides a sense of personal and family renewal Provides a sense of personal and family renewal New diversions in great-grandparent’s lives New diversions in great-grandparent’s lives A major milestone – a mark of longevity that most people never achieve A major milestone – a mark of longevity that most people never achieve

Social Issues and Aging Only a MINORITY of those over 65 are frail, with the number increasing with age Only a MINORITY of those over 65 are frail, with the number increasing with age Activities of daily living (ADLs) – basic self-care tasks. Activities of daily living (ADLs) – basic self-care tasks. A person is considered frail when they need help with one or more of these ADLs A person is considered frail when they need help with one or more of these ADLs Less than 5% of 65 – 74 year olds need assistance Less than 5% of 65 – 74 year olds need assistance 20% of those over 85 need assistance 20% of those over 85 need assistance Primary v/s Secondary control Primary v/s Secondary control

Nursing Homes ONLY about 5% of older adults live in nursing homes on any given day. ONLY about 5% of older adults live in nursing homes on any given day. About 50% of adults over 85 will spend some time in long-term care About 50% of adults over 85 will spend some time in long-term care

Those in nursing homes typically: Those in nursing homes typically: Over 85 Over 85 Female Female Recently admitted to a hospital Recently admitted to a hospital Live in retirement housing rather than being a homeowner Live in retirement housing rather than being a homeowner Unmarried or live alone Unmarried or live alone Have no children or siblings Have no children or siblings Have cognitive impairment Have cognitive impairment Have problems with IADLs Have problems with IADLs

Elder Abuse Different categories: Different categories: Physical Physical Sexual Sexual Emotional/psychological Emotional/psychological Financial/material exploitation Financial/material exploitation Abandonment Abandonment Neglect Neglect Self-neglect Self-neglect The most common form of abuse is neglect (60%) with physical abuse second (16%) The most common form of abuse is neglect (60%) with physical abuse second (16%)

Political Arena The aging of the baby boom generation raises a very expensive problem The aging of the baby boom generation raises a very expensive problem

Adults over 65 are the most politically active of all age groups! Adults over 65 are the most politically active of all age groups! They vote at a higher rate than any other group They vote at a higher rate than any other group The AARP is the largest interest group in the united States with over 34 million members The AARP is the largest interest group in the united States with over 34 million members