1. Sociology, Tenth Edition
Aging and the Elderly
Sociology, Tenth Edition

2. 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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

3. Figure 15-1 The Graying of U.S. Society
Sociology, Tenth Edition

4. 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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

5. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

6. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

7. National Map 15-1 The Elderly Population of the United States
Sociology, Tenth Edition

8. 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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

9. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

10. Transitions and Challenges of Aging
Finding meaning
Social isolation
Retirement
Aging and poverty
Care giving
Ageism
The elderly: a minority?
Sociology, Tenth Edition

11. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

12. Table 15-1 Living Arrangements of the Elderly, 2000
Sociology, Tenth Edition

13. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

14. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

15. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

16. Figure 15-2 U.S. Poverty Rates, by Age, 2000
Sociology, Tenth Edition

17. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

18. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

19. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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?
Sociology, Tenth Edition

20. 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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

21. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

22. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition

23. Sociology, Tenth Edition
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
Sociology, Tenth Edition