Chapter 9: Aging in the Community Flashcards
Why is there a myth that old people are sickly?
- often seen as frail in the media
- in reality most older people do have at least one chronic health problem, but the majority of older adults live active lifestyles
How do the income needs of people change in later years of life?
- retirement
- don’t need to buy job related items, commute
- buy more food to eat at home
- kids are grown
- taxes lower bc income is lower
- health care expenses
What are some of the major problems caregivers face?
- poor physical health
- depression, anxiety
- less personal freedom and privacy
- economically impacted
What is an assisted living residence?
- housing options for individuals who need range of support services to help them with activities of daily living (ex. medication management, bathing, meals)
- doesn’t require level of care that nursing home residents need
- lvl of care assessed upon moving into the facility and reassessed
What is the difference between activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living?
- activities of daily living: involves tasks like eating, toileting, dressing, bathing, walking, getting in and out of a bed/chair, going outside
- instrumental activities of daily living: complex tasks like handling finances, preparing meals, shopping, doing housework, traveling, using the phone, taking meds
Why is a visitor service so important for homebound
and institutionalized persons?
fostering social interaction and contacts important at any age - lead to depressino
What is the difference between adult day care programs
and senior centers?
- adult day care programs: daytime care provided to older adults who are unable to be left alone
- senior centres: facilities where older adults can congregate for fellowship, meals, education, and recreation
what are the chronological ages of the elderly?
Young old: 65-74
Middle old: 75-84
Old old: 85+
what is gerontology?
scientific study of old age
what is geriatrics?
branch of medicine that deals w/ health of older people
what is a geriatrician?
medical dr who is an expert in the branch of health and care of older people
what is ageism?
prejudice and discrimination against the aged
how has the size and growth of older people changed in canada
- Population pyramids describe aging of populations
- Canada’s pyramid shape drastically shifted
- Other countries have had shifts too
- 85+ fastest growing segment of older pop
- Growth in median age
what factors affect population size and age?
- Fertility rates
Baby boomers - 1946-1964 - Highest @ beginning of 20th century, dipped during great depression in the 30ths
- Mortality rates: Life expectancy continued to increase, significant increase in 20th century
- Migration: movement of people from one country to another can affect population size
what are dependency ratios?
- economically unproductive to economically productive
- Traditionally def’ned by age
- Can be used for social policy decision making
what is labour force ratio?
of people actually working (For money) and those who are not, independent of their ages
how does marital status change for older people?
- 70% of older men are married, 40% of older women
- Older women more likely to be widowed than older men bc they live longer
- # of divorced people continues to rise
- New concerns: lack of retirement benefits, insurance, lower net worth assets
how do living arrangements affect older people?
- Closely linked to income, health status, availability of caregivers
- Many older adults live w/ spouse
- Older women more likely to live alone bc partner dies
how does racial and ethnic composition affect older people?
- 28% of canadian seniors are immigrants
- Most born in western europe and asia
- Most immigrant seniors moved to canada @ young age and lived here ever since
- Proportion of indigenous seniors is low: 5% over 65, 1% over 75
- Bc they suffer more health probs
how does economic status affect older people?
- 2002: 15% of men and 7% of women over 65 were in the workforce
- Most common occupation for men: farming, women: retail salesperson or clerk