C2 - The psychological changes of ageing

Question 1

Social changes an elderly person may experience in later adulthood

Answer 1

• Stress of paying bills
• Safety and security
• Loss of friends
• Death of a partner
• Decisions made on their behalf
• Financial changes
• Turn to religion
• Uptake in more physical activity
• New hobbies
• Isolation
• Reliance on pension
• Grandchildren
• Retirement
• Loss of job
• Reduced mobility
• Reduced access to social networks

Question 2

What does the Loss of job and status cause?

Answer 2

• Retirement may reduce self-esteem because of a feeling of lack of purpose, but increases leisure time and opportunities to try new things such as travel, enjoy grandchildren and hobbies.

Question 3

What does losing one’s own home cause?

Answer 3

• Affects contentment and security when forced to move, e.g into a smaller house, in with family or into residential care.

Question 4

What does the Death of partner/friends cause?

Answer 4

• Grief can cause a loss of sense of safety and security, increased isolation and loss of intimacy.

Question 5

What does Reduced mobility/fitness cause?

Answer 5

• Inability to move around and continue to carry out physical tasks can result in cognitive decline and reduce well-being.

Question 6

What does a Loss of independence cause?

Answer 6

• Reliance on others increases a feeling of helplessness.

Question 7

What causes Reduced access to social networks cause?

Answer 7

• Difficulty in meeting and taking part in social activity can prevent development of the brain, cause or worsen depression and other mental conditions.

Question 8

What did research by age uk say about Financial concerns in later adulthood?

Answer 8

Research by Age UK has shown that:
- In 2016, 29% of retired people did not have financial concerns, 26% said they were just getting by.
- This means that almost half of the older population do have financial concerns, with 14% living in poverty.

Question 9

What can financial concerns result in?

Answer 9

• Less opportunity to socialise
• Less money to buy food
• Less money to pay for adequate heating
• Worry and stress.

Question 10

If health, employment and financial security are lost, how might this make an individual feel?

Answer 10

• that they are no longer useful
• that they are no longer independent and can’t do things for themselves
• financially insecure and anxious about how they will pay for things.

Question 11

Culture, religion and beliefs can have a positive impact on ageing because….

Answer 11

• individuals feel part of a group or community so less isolated.
• beliefs help people to make sense of their ageing and come to terms with mortality.
• Some cultures and religions place more value on older people.

Question 12

Activity Theory (Robert Havighurst, 1960s)

Answer 12

Is based on the belief that:
- the social and psychological needs of individuals remain the same
- people need activity and social interactions
- individuals adjust to their declining health and mobility and/or strength
- people continue to involve themselves in the community.

Question 13

Social disengagement theory states that…

Answer 13

• people naturally disengage from social contact in older age
• society withdraws from older people
• people focus on their previous life and activities
• family expects less from older people
• older people become more dependent
• ageing can result in tranquillity and be a positive development

Question 14

Older people continue to get the most out of life by:

Answer 14

• involvement in new activities, such as hobbies and volunteering
• the planning of new goals
• the development of new relationships
• decision-making and choices about their own care

Question 15

Elderly people remain socially active by:

Answer 15

• Spending more time with children and their grandchildren
• Joining new social groups and clubs
• Remaining mentally active with hobbies
• Internet communications
• Phone calls