chapter 8 Flashcards
life expectancy trends
Life Expectancy Increasing: 2011 : Women 83.6 years Men 79.3 years 1900 : Women 50.0 years Men 47.0 years
canadians aged 65 and over trend
Canadians aged 65 and over:
1921 - 5%
1981 – 9.6%
2006 – 13.7%
2011 – 14.8%
2041 - 25% (estimate)seniors to children
as of 2016, more seniors (65+) than children (0-14)
dimensions of aging
Chronological Age - number of years
Physical Age - physical changes as a result of age
Psychological Age -attitudes and beliefs (how you feel)
Social Age -cultural norms (how we should act at a certain age)
We need to be careful not to make assumptions based on chronological age
See on You Own: Three Key Areas of Conflict (pp. 216-218)
also see 244 and 252
independence verus dependence
The ability to remain independent is related to both the financial status and the physical and mental condition of the older individual.
Most men are helped by their wives. Women, who are more likely to be widowed, receive assistance from their daughters.
Dependence can also be related to the attitude of relatives or personal care home staff.
connectednes versus seperateness
The struggle for independence often reflects tension between the desire for connectedness and separateness.
Older people value their relationships with their children and grandchildren, yet they also wish to maintain their own unique lifestyle.
opennes versus privateness
Privacy may become precious in the face of retirement, widowhood, sickness, and institutionalization.
Living in a personal care home makes a private life virtually impossible.
living arrangements
Most seniors live independently With spouse or on their own 92% in private households 56% as part of a couple Few (7% to 8%) live in institutions The increase in the number of assisted-living facilities is decreasing the number of older adults in personal care homes.
health and self-care
As people grow older, physical well-being and concern about possible or actual illness become more important
Those over 75 more likely to have a chronic health problem or disability
Most common are vision, mobility, and memory problems
Lower-income individuals at greater risk for illness and death than those with higher incomes
grandparetnhood
As the population ages, it is increasingly common for several generations to know each other.
87% of Canadians aged 65 to 74 years and 94% of Canadians 75 years and older are grandparents (Milan & Wong, 2015)
The grandparent/grandchild relationship is
influenced by:
Geographic proximity
Frequency of contact
Relationship between the grandparents and their own children
The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is considered special because it is a source of generativity and not complicated by parental responsibilities.
Three styles of grandparenting (Connidis, 2010):
- Remote
- Companionate
- Involved
caring for grandchildren
Many grandparents provide care for their grandchildren.
Grandparents may be in separate homes, in multi-generational homes, or in “skipped generation families” with no parents present.
In 2011, 5% of children 14 and under lived with at least one grandparent
In 2011, .5% of children 14 and under lived in “skip generation” homes
Grandparents face several challenges when they take over childcare:
They may lack the energy
Grandchildren may have suffered from family breakup and/or have emotional issues
They are often not recognized as the legal guardians
retirement
Canadian retirement income system made up of 3 pillars:
Government public pension (Old Age Security [OAS]) for those age 65
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) if individual has little or no other retirement income
Canada Pension Plan/Quebec Pension Plan (CPP/QPP)
Payments based on how much an individual contributed over her/his lifetime of working
Private pensions and savings
Company pensions and RRSPs
Still many inequities in pensions
Women are more disadvantaged due to:
Women are more likely to work part time
Usually do not work as many years as men; may take time off to care for children
More women than men work in service occupations where there are no pensions
Women often earn less when they do work
Pensions reflect the inequities in pay in general
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median retirement age has changed: 1970s to early 1980s: 65
1987: government lowered minimum age at which one could draw benefits from 65 to 60
2005: 61 years
2011: 62 years
Retirement satisfaction depends on choice to retire, health status and financial security
Retirement usually marks a major change in activities.
Most retirees are happy and busy.
widowhood
Having a partner is associated with many benefits for older Canadians:
Sharing retirement activities
Greater economic resources
Companionship and support
Help managing health problems and decreased mobility
The death of a partner/spouse is a major life adjustment
Widowhood initially involves a sense of loss, disorientation, and loneliness.
Women tend to manage better than men after the death of a spouse.
The psychological task confronting widowed people is grief over the loss, and then commitment to their own continuing life.
The Economics of Being Widowed
Often the death of a spouse means a drop in family income
There are also the costs surrounding death itself.
Often a period of uncertainty follows death as financial affairs are sorted out.
Women have fewer financial resources
