Chapter 11 Flashcards
Theories of aging Disengagement theory
Individual adjustment to ageing is
accomplished by withdrawing from
social life.
* This is a natural and inevitable
process.
Aging is unsatisfactory. These
two theories focus almost
exclusively on individual and
how seniors adjust to ageing.
Theories of aging Activity theory
Older adults are happiest when they
stay active and maintain social
interactions.
* As people age, they have a
decrease in life satisfaction and
that this can be relieved by
engaging in various activities
such as joining clubs, sports,
doing volunteer work.
* The more active people are, the
better they age
Theories of aging Continuity Theory
This theory is based on the notion that old
age is a continuation of a person’s past,
rather than a break with it.
* This theory modifies and elaborates
on activity theory.
* Older adults usually maintain the
same activities, behaviours, and
relationships as they did in their
earlier years of life.
* An individual’s activities should be
reflective of previous activities,
learning, and associated tasks.
* Active people/reserved people
Theories of aging Role Theory
As people age they tend to lose
social roles—whether as parents,
employees, or spouses. This loss
of roles can lead to social
isolation due to decreased social
interaction.
* Role theory is an expansion on
the above approaches, seeks to
understand the “adjustment” of
ageing to the new roles entailed
in getting older.
Theories of aging Life Course Theory
- This theory focuses on how individuals take various distinct pathways
through life as they move through different periods. - This approach does not view old age as any less satisfying. Rather, it
views each period as having particular benefits, limitations and
characteristics. - “Life course theory” sees old age as a new but equally satisfying stage.
- This approach is unique in that it discusses issues in terms of life events
rather than age. - It has the advantage of addressing both the individual and the broader
contextual issues surrounding aging. - It has the largest potential with respect to informing effective social
work practice
Theoretical Approaches to Social Work with Older Adults
Strengths-Based and Solutions-Focused Approaches
A strengths-based approach focuses on individuals’ potential
and capabilities rather than on their limitations.
* Traditional medical models of care impose a passive role upon
clients.
* The social work profession is moving from a deficit-based
approach to a strengths-based practice.
* The strengths-based model elicits an active role for clients—
they interact with their social worker to achieve a positive
outcome.
* Aging well, maintaining dignity, and being treated
Social Work with Older Adults
The Role of the Social Worker
Today, social workers focus largely on the life stage and
the assets of the older persons they serve.
* The task is to help the families of people with aging-
related issues—as well as the individuals themselves—
develop an understanding about the situation that
enables them to act.
* This can help the family gain a sense of direction in the
midst of what might otherwise appear to be a daunting
situation.
Portraits of Canada’s Older Adults
● Understanding a population’s age composition can help policy makers plan for future social
and economic challenges.
● This planning includes the funding of pension plans and health care systems, and
determining the number of immigrants needed to boost the labour force.
○ The median age of a population is about 40 (women-41.1 & men-39.4).
○ The median age of Canadians has been increasing → the population is growing older.
● People aged 65 and older is not a homogeneous group (Statistics Canada, 2011).
○ 56% live as part of a couple
○ 25% live on their own
○ 12% live with members of their extended family
○ 7% live in a long-term care institution
● 67% of Canadians over the age of 85 were women.
● 28% of the country’s older adults were born outside of Canada.
● Currently research estimates that up to 7% of the seniors is openly LGBTQ+ (Sheldon, 2014)
Population Projections: Numbers of Seniors Compared to
Youth
As of 2014, there were more people in the 65-plus age cohort
than there were in the 0-to-14 age cohort.
Reasons for Canada’s Aging Population
Three main factors account for the aging of the Canadian population:
* The baby boom
* The baby boom refers to the large number of individuals born between
1946 and 1966, who are now entering their senior years.
* A low birth rate
* The proportion of old to young will continue to increase because the average
number of children per woman has declined.
* Increasing life expectancy
Canada’s growing senior population will place increasing pressure on
government services, particularly health care and the pension system.
The Financial Realities of Living Longer
- Three-quarters of Canadians have no long-term financial plan for
long-term care if they need it. - OAS and CPP provide only a modest income for people when they
retire. - Without private coverage, Canadians can expect to spend an
average of $5,391 a year on out-of-pocket medical costs after age
65 (BMO, 2014). - Not everyone has a workplace pension – about 60% of Canadians
must rely on public pension programs supplemented by their own
savings. - A 2013 report from the Bank of Montreal states that the average
baby boomer falls about $400,000 short of adequate savings to
A Widespread Form of Social Prejudice
Ageism
efers to any attitude, action, or
institutional structure that
subordinates or oppresses a person or
group of people on the basis of age.
Former long-term mayor of
Mississauga, Ontario, Hazel McCallion
stated in The Globe and Mail on June
6, 2016:
“Canadians need to confront the
reality that every day, its older citizens
deal with the most widely
Myth vs. Reality on older adults
Myth: “Seniors increase the cost of medical care.”
Reality: The increased cost to the health-care system due to
aging is projected to be no more than one percent per year.
The main cost increases are inflation, a rising overall
population, and advances in medical technologies (Evans,
2010).
“Medicalization” of Older Adults’
Problems
- Medicalization refers to
our society’s tendency to
label the concerns of older
adults as “medical”
issues. - Current social work value
systems shift the emphasis
away from medicalization
and toward self
Elder Abuse
A Serious, Ongoing Problem
Elder abuse is any action by someone in a position of
trust or power that results in harm or distress to an older
person.
* Abuse can take forms other than physical
violence: emotional or psychological, sexual,
and the most commonly reported form,
financial.
* Neglect is frequently associated with abuse.
