Ch. 15 - Late Adulthood: The Social World Flashcards
development is ___ diverse in late adulthood than at any other age
more
self theories
theories of late adulthood that emphasize the core self, or the search to maintain one’s integrity and identiy
integrity vs despair
final stage of Erikson’s developmental sequence, in which older adults seek to integrate their unique experiences with their vision of community
personality and physical changes
most older people consider their personalities and attitudes to have remained quite stable over their life span, even as they recognize the physical changes of their bodies
objects and places in late adulthood
become more precious than earlier as a way to hold on to identity; may result in compulsive hoarding
positivity effect
tendency or elderly people to perceive, prefer, and remember positive images and experiences more than negative ones
- selective memory compensates for troubles
- unpleasant experiences may be reinterpreted as inconsequential
stratification theories
emphasize social forces, especially those related to a person’s social stratum/category.
- limits individual choices
- affect person’s ability to function in late adulthood as past stratification continues to limit life in various ways
stratification by gender
puts M/F on separate tracks in life
stratification by ethnicity
ethnic background affects every aspect of development lifelong, including: education, health, place of residence, employment
stratification by income
pivotal influence on well-being of the elderly; correlates with gender, ethnicity, and age, but it isn’t caused by them
stratification by age
industrialized nations segregate elderly people, gradually shunting them out of the mainstream of society as they grow older; segregation by age harms everyone b/c it creates socialization deficits for members of all age groups
disengagement theory
aging makes a person’s social sphere increasingly narrow resulting in role relinquishment, withdrawal, and passivity
activity theory
elderly people want and need to remain active in a variety of social spheres – w/ relatives, friends, and community groups – and become withdrawn only unwillingly, as a result of ageism
work in old age
- work provides social support and status, boosting self-esteem
- psychological benefits of work can be obtained through volunteer work
why do older adults work?
because they need money and appreciate social recognition and self-fulfillment that work brings
employment history affects …
current health and happiness of older adults
when does retirement correlate with illness?
when it is precipitated by structural changes, poor health, or fading competence
volunteer work offers…
generativity and social connections
volunteering is correlated with
a longer and healthier life
what percent of those over 65 years old volunteer
25%; less likely than younger adults to volunteer
a favourite activity of many retirees is caring for …
their own homes and gardens.
in keeping up with household tasks and maintaining their property, many older people demonstrate that they prefer to age in place (adjusting but not leaving when health fades)
naturally occurring retirement community (NORC)
a neighbourhood or apartment complex whose population is mostly retired people who moved to the location as younger adults and never left (social convoy resulting from years of close relationships)
religious involvement and faith
older adults are less likely to attend religious services, but faith and praying increase
religious institutions fulfill many needs …
- religious prohibitions encourage good habits
- faith communities promote caring relationships
- beliefs give meaning to life and death and reduce stress
political activity in older age
- fewer older people turn out for massive rallies
- ~2% volunteer in political campaigns
- more older people write letters to elected representatives, vote, and ID with a political party
- many government policies affect the elderly, especially those regarding housing, pensions, prescription drugs, and medical costs
how do spouses extend life?
they buffer each other against the problems of old age
- married older adults are healthier, wealthier, and happier than unmarried people their age
- elders who are disabled are less dependent and anxious if they are in a close marital relationship
- interdependence
- mutual respect, interest, and close friends
- older spouses accept each other’s frailties, assisting with partner’s physical and psychological needs
beanpole family
consists of multiple generations but only a few members in each one
____ prompt siblings, cousins, and even more distant relatives to seek out one another
feelings of familism
filial responsibility
obligation of adult children to care for their aging parents
- adult children may be more willing to offer support than their parents are to receive it
relationship between parents and their adult children affected by which factors?
- assistance arises from need and ability to provide
- frequency of contact r/t geographical proximity, not affection
- love influenced by interactions remembered from childhood
- sons feel stronger obligation, daughters feel stronger affection
___% of elders over 65 yo are grandparents
85%
factors that influence the nature of grandparent-grandchild relationship
- personality
- ethnicity
- national background
- past family interactions
- age and personality of child
4 roles of grandparents in developed nations
- remote
- companionate
- involved
- surrogate
friendship in old age
- elders who never married are usually quite content
- often have friendships, activities, and social connections
- smaller friendship circles with few close friends
the frail elderly
people who are over 65 and often over 85 who are physically infirm, very ill, or cognitively disabled
___ of older people will become frail before they die
1/3
activities of daily life (ADLs)
actions important to independent living, typically identified as 5 tasks of self-care:
1) eating
2) bathing
3) toileting
4) dressing
5) transferring bed to chair
- inability to perform any of these is a sign of frailty
instrumental activities of daily life (IADLs)
actions important to independent living that require some intelligent competence and forethought. domains:
- managing med care
- food prep
- transportation
- communication
- maintaining household
- managing one’s finances
family caregiving
- can experience substantial stress
- health may suffer, risk of depression increases esp if care receiver has dementia
- in US, usually spouse
- even in ideal circumstances with community support, can present problems
preventing frailty depends on
individuals, families, and larger community.
- disability is dynamic, not static
- assisting with extending self-sufficiency
- doing their part
- mobility challenges
social support networks prevent …
physical and mental decline.
range of safeguards and education needed
caring for the frail elderly
- caregiving especially difficult when person has failing IADLs
- selection of designated caregiver varies by nation, cultures, and ethnic groups
- disagreement about nutrition, medical help, and dep may occur
- integrated care is the ideal model
elder abuse is more likely if…
- caregiver suffers emotional problems or substance abuse
- care receiver frail, confused, demanding
- care location isolated
elder abuse is less likely if…
- care introduced in timely and appropriate
- staffing and supervision adequate
- public and personal safety nets exist
long-term care
- emphasis on living arrangements is on selective optimization with compensation
- elders need settings that allow them to be safe, social, respected, and as independent as possible
- nursing homes, assisted living, and professional home care vary in quality and availability
- US trend: aging in place
