Chapter 6

Question 1

Life Span in the U.S. increasing

Answer 1

• Life expectancy
  
  • Men 65 years
  • Women 71 years
• 2010 average life expectancy
  
  • Men 75 years
  • Women 81 years

Question 2

Life Expectancy Differences

Answer 2

• African American men 65 years
• Hispanic men, + 2 years longer than Whites
• Hispanic women + 5 years longer than White women
• Asian Americans in California + 5 years longer than Whites

Question 3

Influence of Longer Life

Answer 3

• The longer you live the more chances of experiencing
  
  • death of a spouse
  • adult child
  • coworkers
  • friends
  • cumulative loses through deaths of significant others
• Older adults are likely to experience multiple
• *symbolic losses**

Question 4

Cultural Connections

Answer 4

• Older adults are connected and influenced by
  
  • cultural values
  • cultural beliefs & practices
• Helping professionals must be particularly aware of and sensitive to the diverse:
  
  • Cultural traditions related to grief and loss
    when working with older adults

Question 5

Older Adults and Technology

Answer 5

• People 65 and older make up less than
  10% of the active Internet universe
• In the last 5 years, the older adult internet usage
  
  • increased more than 55 percent
  • from 11.3 million active users in November 2004
  • to 17.5 million in November 2009

Question 6

Influence of Technology

Answer 6

• Type and amount of information and support for older adults is increasing
• New relationships are established through the Internet
• Relationships from the past may be revived and become closer
  
  • Facebook, email & other Internet connections

Question 7

Symbolic and Actual Loss

Answer 7

• Older adults often have many major losses within a short period of time
  
  • may lose spouses
  • cumulative losses
    
    • Financial security, best friend, & social contacts
  • The aging process brings many losses (loss of “beauty” & physical strength)
  • may seem to overreact to a minor loss
  • May bring memories and feelings about a previous greater loss

Question 8

Loss is Cumulative and Death is
Anticipated

Answer 8

• Older adults begin to anticipate their own deaths or the deaths of partners
• Both symbolic and actual losses are cumulative
  
  • may contribute to loss “pileup”

Question 9

Developmental Factors

Answer 9

• Ill health or disabling medical conditions increase as biological aging progresses
• Serenity and/or wisdom may be sought
• Changes in identity occur that are related to retirement and changes in family roles
• Adaptation to changes is required to maintain maximum functioning

• Ego-integrity is enhanced if life review results in a sense of having

• Led a successful/meaningful life

• Individuals of advanced age generally begin to anticipate their own death

• And contemplate the end of life
• Acceptance of death

Question 10

External Factors

Answer 10

• Culture
• Multiple losses (sometimes in rapid succession)
• Age discrimination
• Poverty
• Geographic distance from relatives
• Diminished social support network

Question 11

Working with Grieving Older Adults

Answer 11

• Research on intervention is limited
• Models that help address the cumulative and symbolic losses of older adulthood:
• Increasing social support systems
• Bereavement groups
• Skills training groups

Question 12

Impact on Professionals

Answer 12

• Working with dying elders and their families can be challenging
• Proximity to death & loss may increase professionals’ need for training & support
• Working with older adults can provide great satisfaction and inspiration
• Reminds us that life is precious

Question 13

Strategies to Help Older Adults

Answer 13

• Symbolic losses & losses through death
• Maintaining or augmenting social supports (including telecommunications)
• Provision of income supports or economic assistance, when needed
• Conducting informal & formal life review; emphasis on strengths and contributions

Question 14

Strategies to Help Older Adults

Answer 14

• Identifying and participating in new activities, roles and relationships to:
- augment or replace those that have been lost, including skills training in self-care or household management

• Reminiscing through sharing of memories, with individuals and groups

• Concrete supports allow expenditure of time & energy on satisfying activities
– And relationships (helping with household maintenance or bill paying)
• Identifying & reinforcing strengths & coping capacities
• Completion of advance directives

•Providing opportunities and encouragement to openly discuss ideas,
– Values, feelings, and fears related to dying and death