Practice Exams Flashcards
Which indicator classifies persons according to attributes such as physical appearance and mental capacity?
modernization theory
functional age
life stage
age stratification
Functional age
Which would be a longitudinal study of vision reveal?
age differences
age changes
age grading
age norms
Age changes
What is ageism?
study of the process of aging in the human body
prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to older people because of their age
principles and policies concerning the care of older adults
a popular theory concerning the older generation’s prejudice towards younger generations
Prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to older people because of their age
Which is a major limitation of cross-sectional research? It does not…
separate age from period effects
select appropriate samples
eliminate investigator bias
account for intervening variables
Separate age from period effects
What is likely to happen to professional interest in the development of gerontology as the proportion of older people increase? Interest will…
continue to grow
begin to fall
remain the same
grow for a while and then fall
Continue to grow
Which term best describes the comparison of educational achievements of older adults to the educational achievements of younger adults?
life stages
cohort effects
biological aging
social psychological aging
Cohort effects
Which is chronological aging?
the stage of life marked by major social transitions
the stage when physical and mental frailty predominate
the time that elapses as an organism moves from birth to death
the decrease in ability to cope with one’s environment
The time that elapses as an organism moves from birth to death
Which is the best example of social aging?
social interaction declines as people age
people enroll for Social Security at age 65
social functions are based on age categories
verbal interactions among older people increase
People enroll for Social Security at age 65
One year after being asked their opinion of the president, the same sample of older people is asked again abut their opinion of the president. Which type of study is this called
cross-sectional
longitudinal
population
trend
Longitudinal
In 1960, parents of children with developmental disabilities were studied. A gerontological researcher is planning to study possible personality changes in those parents. What would be an appropriate research methodology for the researcher to employ?
cross-sectional design
longitudinal design
period analysis
time series analysis
Longitudinal design
If one were to observe a roomful of the eldest older people, what would be the sex and marital status of most of those present?
women who were never married
women who were widowed
men who were never married
men who were widowed
Women who were widowed
Which factor does not explain the recent growth of the older population in the United States?
the large number of people born when the birth rate was high are now reaching age 65
many young adults immigrated to the US during WWII and are now reaching age 65
improvements in medical technology have increased life expectancy
there has been a dramatic decrease in accidental deaths
There has been a dramatic decrease in accidental deaths
Why do young adults tend to migrate from their community of origin?
for economic opportunity
for cost-of-living reasons
to be nearer retired family members
to get away from problems such as crime or congestion
For economic opportunity
When they retired, which cohort can expect that there will be relatively few workers contributing to the Social Security system?
depression cohort
baby boom cohort
baby bust cohort
turn-of-the-century cohort
Baby boom cohort
Where are men age 75 or older more likely to live?
alone
with spouses
with relatives other than their spouse
in a nursing home
With spouses
Which accurately describes co-morbidity?
men and women age 65 and over are equally likely to have one or more chronic diseases
one-fourth of all men age 65 and over have 3 or more chronic diseases
half of all women age 65 and over have 2 or more chronic diseases
older women of color have fewer chronic diseases than older men of color
Half of all women age 65 and over have 2 or more chronic diseases
Approximately what percentage of the older population lives in nursing homes?
5%
10%
25%
50%
5%
What is the age and sex composition of a population in stage one of the demographic transition?
up to 15% of the population is old, with women outnumbering men
the old represent <5% of the population, which approx. equals numbers of men and women
a combination of large families and increased life expectancy results in a growing general population and a slight increase in the proportion of older adults
up to 10% of the population is old, with men outnumbering women because of the dangers of childbirth
The old represent <5% of the population, with approx. equal numbers of men and owmen
The age dependency ratio provides what kind of information? Information about…
how many older adults will be collecting Social Security
the cost to society of supporting nonworking older adults
how many of the working age population will need social supports in later life
the potential reliance of older adults on the services of the working age population
The potential reliance of older adults on the services of the working age population
Which statement best explains the differences in the quality and quantity of services provided in the US to older Black persons and older White persons? Most older Black persons…
have minimal extended family support systems to provided needed help
do not participate in government-funded social service programs to the same extent as older White persons
believe in self-sufficiency and prefer not to seek services from outside their cultural and social communities
see their problems or needs as unique and as not fitting existing programs that are used by older White persons
Do not participate in government-funded social service programs to the same extent as older White persons
Which accurately illustrates the negative effect of a critical variable on the status of older persons in a culture?
elders lose utility and authority because rapid social change has made their skills obsolete
the extended family, which is typically patriarchal, replaces the nuclear family as industrialization demands mobility
highly educated elders are ignored by younger persons who value on the job training
the shift from hard physical labor to less physically demanding occupations in a society makes it difficult for elders to justify staying on the job
Elders lose utility and authority because rapid social change has made their skills obsolete
Which theory of aging suggests that the accumulation of highly reactive molecules interferes with normal cell function?
wear-and-tear theory
cross-linkage theory
gene mutation theory
free radical theory
Free radical theory
Which term describes the changes that ordinarily occur int he post-reproductive period and that result in decreased survival capacity?
climacteric
dementia
menopause
senescence
Senescence
Which is a major factor in older people’s tendency to have trouble with body temperature regulation?
changes in skin pigmentation related to sun exposure
deterioration of touch sensation
reduced blood circulation in subcutaneous skin
replacement of muscle mass with fat
Reduced blood circulation in subcutaneous skin
Which is an example of normal aging?
percentage of total body water increases with age
a tendency to gain weight up to the age of 90
shoulder width increases with age
less efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Less efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Which aspect of living in a nursing home can contribute to the negative effects on the psychological function of the residents?
taking on new role demands
having increased physical limitations
feeling a loss of control over one’s life
choosing from too many scheduled leisure activities
Feeling a loss of control over one’s life
What are conditions such as arthritis, hearing impairment, and heart problems that limit the activities of older adults and become more prevalent with increasing age generally labeled?
chronic
acute
senescent
morbid
Chronic
What is a major difference between chronic disease and acute disease? Chronic disease…
is reversible
is communicable
results from the normal aging process
often leaves a residual impairment
Often leaves a residual impairment
Which best describes the effects of aging on vision?
visual acuity decreases until about age 40 and then becomes stable
decrease in pupil size makes glare less of a problem in brightly lighted areas
incidence of far-farsightedness increases with age up to the age 60, but not much more after the age of 60
less light is needed for projects because the pupil gets bigger and allows more light to enter the eye
Incidence of far-farsightedness increases with age up to the age 60, but not much more after the age 60
If an individual chooses a lifestyle that is sedentary and does not include any exercise, what is likely to happen?
the number of collagen fibers decreases
compact bone thickens
cartilage healing quickens
physical pain levels increase
The number of collagen fibers decreases
What is the most common chronic medical condition found in older persons?
hypertension
heart disease
diabetes
arthritis
Arthritis
If an older adult develops an acute medical condition and does not seek medical attention, what is most likely to occur?
older person is likely to perform self-treatment
older person’s caregiver will likely provide assistance
older person is likely to become ill as the condition worsens
older person is likely to have no problems as the condition resolves itself
The older person is likely to become ill as the condition worsens
Which factor is most closely related to a high quality of care in nursing homes?
nonprofit ownership
for-profit ownership
modern facilities
staff attitudes
Staff attitudes
Which statement is not accurate about the general effects of the aging process?
Beginning in middle adulthood and continuing into old age, physiological changes occur rapidly
age decrements are greater in complex behaviors that involve more than one organ system
there is a greater incidence of diseases in older persons due to increased susceptibility to stress and impaired immune function
adequate maintenance of homeostasis becomes increasingly difficult with age
Beginning in middle adulthood and continuing into old age, physiological changes occur rapidly
Most older adults experience an age-related decrease in liver weight. Why is it important for medical personnel to understand this change?
cancer of the liver usually occurs in persons who experience a decrease in liver weight
the weight of the liver is a strong predictor of the age at which a person will die
loss of liver tissue reduces the liver’s ability to metabolize certain drugs
reduced liver weight may indicate the presence of hepatitis int he person
Loss of liver tissue reduces the liver’s ability to metabolize certain drugs
Which 73 year old person is most likely to commit suicide?
a man who has had chronic arthritis since he was 55
a woman who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer
a woman who recently lost her husband
a man who recently lost his wife
A man who recently lost his wife
Which is a characteristic of senescence?
is universal among all older adults
affects all organs of the body simultaneously
has a positive impact on the body’s functioning
is the result of environmental impact on the body
Is universal among all older adults
Which criterion for a valid biological theory of aging relates to the ability of the organism to correct the losses incurred? The process must be…
universal
deleterious
progressive
intrinsic
Intrinsic
A 77 year old man has shown a decline in how rapidly he can count his money when purchasing items at the store. Which best explains what has occurred?
an eye-hand coordination problem makes handling small objects difficult
he does not use this skill much and has lost speed
he is cautious and worried about making an error
there has been a long-term memory loss
He is cautious and worried about making an error
Which practice that older drivers often use to compensate for the decline in reaction time and information processing may contribute to a higher rate of accidents per miles driven?
choosing larger, newer cars with safety features such as airbags
restricting driving to daytime hours and always having someone ride with him
restricting driving to the local community and not making long highway trips
varying their rate of speed and using the break more frequently
Restricting driving to the local community and not making long highway trips
Which theory indicates that it is normal for older adults to decrease their involvement with usual activities and social roles?
continuity theory
disengagement theory
life course theory
modernization theory
Disengagement theory
Intellectual performance of older persons, as measured by IQ tests, begins to fail shortly before death. Which term describes this phenomenon
terminal decline
intellectual distortion
fluid intelligence decay
state dependent learning
Terminal decline
Response slowing with age is greatest on which type of task?
complex, timed
simple, timed
complex, untimed
simple, untimed
Complex, timed
Gerontologists suggest that disengagement from roles and activities by older adults is more likely if which correlate occurs?
health threats
inter generational dependency
lowered self-esteem
social isolation
Health threats
Which is an accurate statement about the self-esteem of older persons?
self-esteem is likely to be high
self-esteem is likely to be low
males are likely to have higher self-esteem than females
females are likely to have higher self-esteem than males
Self-esteem is likely to be high
Which mental ability is least likely to decline with advancing age?
cognitive flexibility
perceptual speed
spatial reasoning
vocabulary knowledge
Vocabulary knowledge
According to Erikson, in which stage of growth and development does the older adult feel that life has meaning and accept both the negative and positive aspects of life?
integrity vs despair
intimacy vs isolation
generativity vs stagnation
trust vs mistrust
Integrity vs despair
Before settling on a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, a physician must first rule out which condition?
CVA
schizophrenia
reversible organic mental disorder
depression
Reversible organic mental disorder
Which persons are most likely to develop functional mental disorders late in life? Persons who…
live in institutions
graduated from college
suffer from retirement anxiety
always found it difficult to cope with changes
Always found it difficult to cope with changes
Which theory would describe mandatory retirement as the system in which workers first trade skills for wages and later receive Social Security benefits, pensions, and Medicare as compensation for leaving the labor force?
activity theory
continuity theory
disengagement theory
exchange theory
Exchange theory
Which description of organic brain disorders is accurate?
their primary symptom are hallucinations and delusions
they typically include dementia and loss of memory
they are more easily treatable than chronic diseases
their causes may be related to factors such as medication interactions or poor circulation
They typically include dementia and loss of memory
What happens when people have repeatedly been unable to respond to stressful situations with a fight-or-flight reaction?
experience helps them to make adjustments to correct the situation
they tend to minimize the incidents over time
they are more likely to require psychological intervention
the recall of these incidents can result in illness
The recall of these incidents can result in illness
A recent widow no longer feels comfortable socializing with couples she and her husband used to see regularly. What recommendation might resolve the widow’s difficulties?
join the couples and talk about being widowed
develop friendships with other widows
pursue more solitary activities
find other couples to interact with
Develop friendships with other widows
What does modernization theory suggest happened to the status of older persons as the US moved from an agrarian to an industrial society? The status of older persons…
increased
remained stable
declined
increased and then declined
Declined
Which group tends to place age constraints on older persons?
young adults
late middle-aged men
early middle-aged women
older adults, themselves
Older adults, themselves
Which is a description of how historical events and life events influence an older person’s choices in life?
biographical life course
cohort life course
cultural life course
statistical life course
Biographical life course
Who provides most of the personal care for older people who are frail?
family members
certified health care providers
home health aides
case managers
Family members
What happens to older adults’ informal support networks as the adults age? The networks tend to…
grow smaller
become significantly larger
remain stable
become more focused on specific individuals
Remain stable
Why are older persons less likely to be victims of violent crimes?
tend to restrict their social activity
generally have few visible assets
likely to have home security systems
tend to live in secure neighborhoods
Tend to restrict their social activity
Which characteristic is present in most relationships between older people and their adult children?
there is diminished inter generational contact
parents become increasingly dependent on their children
large geographic distances separate parents and children
children experience strong feelings of duty and obligation to their parents
Children experience strong feelings of duty and obligation to their parents
Approximately what percentage of older people are homeowners?
20%
40%
60%
80%
80%
Expectations about what older people are allowed or required to do and to be are referred to by what term?
adaptational indicators
age norms
consensual validation
lifestyles
Age norms
What occurs in terms of commitment to their religion as people age? Their commitment…
lessens
remains the same as in their young adulthood
deepens
fluctuates depending on health status
Deepens
According to Levinson, what marks the transition period from middle to old age?
sharp discontinuity
formal rites of passage
increased responsibility
structural changes
Structural changes
Which most accurately describes the current state of grand parenthood in the US?
most grandparents live in different states than their children and grandchildren do, and therefore they do not see each other very often
due to the decline in the fertility rate and people waiting to have children until they are older, fewer older adults have grandchildren than in past generations
increased life expectancy and earlier marriages have led more older adults to experience grand parenthood than in previous generations
when grandparents are involved with their grandchildren, they usually try to control the grandchildren’s behavior rather than indulging them
Increased life expectancy and earlier marriages have led more older adults to experience grand parenthood than in previous generations
Which status of marital satisfaction most common after adult children leave home? Marital satisfaction…
continue to decrease
remain low
steadily increase
briefly peak
Steadily increase
From a symbolic interaction perspective, what does leisure time represent to an older person? Leisure time
related to the ideal self
an extension of work or career
neutral and a source of entertainment
a continuation of personal development
Related to the ideal self
Which issue is given little attention by most workers int he process of planning for retirement?
income level and financial needs
health and long-term care needs
post-retirement employment
self-esteem and leisure needs
Self-esteem and leisure needs
Which was a significant trend in labor force participation in the 1980s?
more people retired at full retirement age
participation in the labor force began to drop at age 62
the peak labor force participation for women equaled that of men
more people used bridge employment as they moved toward full retirement
More people used bridge employment as they moved toward full retirement
Which is the major reason fro decrease in the proportion of older people living in poverty over past 30 years?
a change in secured income programs
a change in fiscal priorities of programs benefiting older people
improvements in Social Security benefits
increases in Medicare benefits
Improvements in Social Security benefits
Economists generally agree that for retirees to maintain their standard of living, they must receive approximately what percentage of pre-retirement income?
25%
50%
75%
90%
75%
In the United States, which accurately characterizes older adults who are still in the workforce?
they are as fully productive as younger workers
they become less loyal to the organization as retirement approaches
they have more work-related injuries than younger works
they are more likely than younger workers to take time off from work
They are as fully productive as younger workers
Which is most descriptive of social insurance?
it insures against income loss
it makes profits fro the private sector
it insures only a select group of citizens
it insures only people who are currently working
It insures only a select group of citizens
Besides financial security, which is the most important factor that influences the timing of retirement?
health
marital status
active friendships
job dissatisfaction
Health
What is predicted as a future direction for the retirement systems including Social Security?
conflict will arise between companies that want older workers to stay on and the Social Security system that wants people to stop working no later than age 67
increase Social Security taxes will cause a taxpayer revolt
demographic turnover will cause an increase in retirement income
future retirees will receive less than half their pre-retirement income
Demographic turnover will cause an increase in retirement income
Which characteristic economic situation of older adults makes them vulnerable to fraud?
they avoid using public transportation even if they have no car to fall back on
they frequently own an older home that is paid fro but in poor condition
they keep large quantities of prescription medications in their homes
they have higher incomes than others in their neighborhoods
They frequently own an older home that is paid for but in poor condition
Which reason best explains the original intent of the federal government’s passage of the Social Security Act of 1935? Social Security was to
pay for the basic living expenses of all retirees
provide income for medical expenses for all retirees
encourage workers over the age of 70 to fully retire
augment other sources of retirement income for retirees
Augment other sources of retirement income for retirees
What is the primary reason that older workers generally choose to work part-time after retirement?
boredom
worth ethic
economic necessity
job satisfaction
Economic necessity
Private pensions provide approximately what percentage of the overall income of the older population?
<20%
20-30%
30-40%
>40%
<20%
Which is most likely to show a decline after retirement?
community involvement
family relationships
health
income
Income
Which age difference in political behavior is attributable to cohort effect? Older adults are more likely than younger adults to…
have a strong party affiliation
identify themselves as independents
vote for an older candidate
focus on local rather than national issues
Have a strong party affiliation
Which federal entity funds a local network of agencies to provide services for the aging?
Medicaid
Medicare
Older Americans Act
Supplemental Security Income
Older Americans Act
Which model of health care delivery is exemplified by the Medicare program?
holistic
medical
social
wellness
Medical
Which is a weakness of both the Medicare and Medicaid programs? Both programs primarily
pay for care in institutions
pay for the least restrict level of care
support community-based care programs
support preventative care as a mechanism for saving money
Pay for care in institutions
Which statement is true concerning the relationship between older adults in the US and public policy?
political parties have rarely been influenced to endorse the concerns of older adults
social movements such as the Gray Panthers were formed to raise the public consciousness regarding the problems of older adults
older adults frequently vote as a block on federal issues to get laws passed
older adults lack time to become involved in public policy concerns
Social movements such as the Gray Panthers were formed to raise the public consciousness regarding the problems of older adults
Which criterion is most often used to classify people to determine their eligibility for government program benefits?
biological age
chronological age
functional age
sociological age
Chronological age
In which age group is voting participation greatest?
30-35
40-45
60-65
70-75
60-65
Which statement best describes the Medicaid program for older adults? Medicaid is a
federal program that requires participant contribution through payroll deductions
state-based program that requires participant contributions through payroll deductions
federal program that provides medical coverage for older adults at all levels of care
federal and sate income-based program for funding health care for people with low income
Federal and state income-based program for funding health care for people with low incomes
What is the biggest obstacle to the growth of the personal assistance model in home care for older adults?
lack of available personal assistants
Medicaid regulations
the frailty of the older population
lack of public funding
Medicaid regulations
What was the main accomplishment of the 1961 White House Conference on Aging?
Supplemental Security Act was passed
more people were include din social welfare programs
awareness of the problems facing Medicare was increased
awareness of the poverty among older adults was increased
Awareness of the poverty among older adults was increased
Which housing alternative is most financially accessible to older persons with low incomes?
single room occupancy hotel
HUD units
life-care communities
retirement communities
HUD units
Which feature is typical of assisted living house?
emphasis is on residents’ choices
there is a prearranged plan of care
unrelated people share the same room
the housing provider supplies furniture
The housing provider supplies furniture
Which advocacy organization fro the aging has the largest membership?
American Association of Retired Persons
American Society on Aging
National Caucus on the Black Aged
National Council on Aging
American Association of Retired Persons
What is the most important way the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) affected how older people are seen and treated by government? AARP…
sponsors regional political debates on issues of concern to older people
is able to rally its membership to vote as a bloc on political issues
makes the needs of older people politically visible
joins together with other organizations to exert influence through large numbers
Makes the needs of older people politically visible
An older woman has recently become widowed. Her only son counsels her that the best thing to do is to get over her grief and get on with her life. What effect is the son’s advice likely to have on this woman’s adjustment to widowhood? The advice will…
make the adjustment easier
make the adjustment more difficult
lead to alienation as it was unsolicited
have no effect on the adjustment
Make the adjustment more difficult
In terms of the death of their spouse, what reaction do widows report more often than widowers?
more difficulty in expressing grief
greater sense of abandonment
psychosomatic illnesses
more difficulty in working during bereavement
Greater sense of abandonment
A medical caregiver provides a client with a lethal dose of a drug. What kind of euthanasia is the caregiver practicing?
passive
active
involuntary
voluntary
Active
In the general population, how do the rates of suicide for persons over 65 differ from the suicide rate among younger persons? The rates…
higher among females than among males at all ages
lower among young males than among young females
show a study decrease for males as they grow older
show a steady increase for males as they grow older
Show a steady increase for males as they grow older
The Kubler-Ross description of the stages of the dying process is most often criticized by researchers for which reason?
older people never experience the denial stage
there is no typical unidirectional sequence of stages
the stages appear to be different for men than for women
most of the stages involve feelings that are not experienced by dying people
There is no typical unidirectional sequence of stages
Why is chronological age typically used as a means of determining eligibility for social programs?
there is a general agreement among service providers when old age begins
age is easily assessed and measured
age is a reliable indicator of people’s needs and abilities
the experiences and needs of older people tend to be constant over time
Age is easily assessed and measured
Which approrach is based on a longitudinal research design? A researcher
examines the average incomes of various racial groups in a given year
collects cross-national data on the number of older ethnic group members in long-term care facilities
monitors age-related cardiovascular system changes in a cohort from middle age to old age
determines the percentage of people over 85 in assisted-living facilities
Monitors age-related cardiovascular system changes in a cohort from middle age to old age
What term refers to a group of people who were born at roughly the same time and experienced the same historical conditions?
a continuum
a category
a cohort
a class
A cohort
What is geriatrics? A specialty concerned with
prevention and management of the diseases of aging
biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging
impact of social and sociocultural conditions on the process of aging
administration of long-term care agencies
Prevention and management of the diseases of aging
Which best explains the level of interest shown in the topic of aging over the past 20 years?
individuals are more concerned with their own longevity and are taking an interest in gerontology
the increasing number of older adults has made the problems of aging more visible and widely known
older people have begun voting as a bloc and their political clout has captured media attention
the quality of life of older people is lower than in the past and the problems of aging seem more pressing
The increasing number of older adults has made the problems of aging more visible and widely known
A gerontological researcher is interested in learning about how income needs change throughout the life course. Which research design would be most appropriate?
cohort-sequential
cross-sectional
cohort analysis
longitudinal
Longitudinal
Research focusing on limits to the human life span would be likely to examine which effects?
cohort
period
intrinsic, age-caused
extrinsic, reactive
Intrinsic, age-caused
What are period effects?
the effects that occur in the same individual during different time periods
the effects that depend on the age of the person who is living through a specific time period
the effects that occur in people of different ages during different time periods
the effects of a particular time period on the perceptions of a person’s chronological age
The effects that depend on the age of the person who is living through a specific time period
An advocacy group for older people wants to challenge the major source of negative stereotyping. Where should this group focus its efforts?
churches
educational institutions
neighborhood social groups
mass media
Mass media
Which research design should an investigator use to study how the sense of hearing changes as people age?
experimental
longitudinal
cross-sectional
cross-sequential
Longitudinal
Which is a weakness of the age dependency ratio? The age dependency ratio
includes only retired older adults
can be used to indicate population aging
does not account for employed older adult workers
indicates the percentage of the total population that is dependent on the working population
Does not account for employed older adult workers
For which is the ratio of males to females in the population over 65 less than one to one?
higher male birth rate
higher female birth rate
higher male mortality rate
higher female mortality rate
Higher male mortality rate
What is the total dependency ratio? The total dependency ratio is the ratio between the number of
people who are considered young and the number of people who are considered old
men who are in the workforce and the number of women who are not in the workforce
people who are in the workforce and the number of people who are out of the workforce
people who are well most of the time and the number of people who are ill most of the time
People who are in the workforce and the number of people who are out of the workforce
What explains the high proportion of people age 65 and over in Midwest states?
people who migrated to Eastern states for work have chosen to return to their home state upon retirement
older people have chosen to retire to the Midwest because it represents, solid, traditional values
young people who have tended to migrate out of the Midwest states, leaving a greater proportion of older people
rural states are generally “grayer” than states with large metropolitan areas
Young people have tended to migrate out of the Midwest states, leaving a greater proportion of older people
What is the poverty rate among Americans 65 and older?
about 10%
about 17%
about 35%
about 50%
About 10%
What best characterizes today’s older adult who is homeless?
she was recently released from a psychiatric hospital
he has been homeless for >10 years
she describes herself as homeless by choice
he has a history of substance abuse
He has been homeless for >10 years
What is the purpose of a population pyramid?
to show the actual and projected distribution of young and older persons in the population
to show the proportions of young and older persons in the population as bands representing 10-year birth cohorts
to show the relationship between life expectancy at birth and life expectancy at age 65
to show the geographic distribution of older persons across a continent
To show the proportions of young and older persons in the population as bands representing 10-year birth cohorts
Which effect does modernization theory indicate?
health technology enables older people to continue to compete effectively in the job market
scientific technology allows older people to work from home, increasingly their flexibility
improved literacy decreases intellectual and moral distance between young and older people
urbanization increases social distance between young and older family members
Urbanization increases social distance between young and older family members
Which factor did not contribute to the sharp rise in the median age of the population between 1970 and 2000?
dramatic increase in the birth rate after the mid-1960s
large numbers of immigrants before the 1920s
high birth rates in the period from 1890 to 1915
increases in longevity
Dramatic increase in the birth rate after the mid-1960s
Which measure rises when the birth rate rises?
fertility rates
life expectancy
population pyramid
total dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio
Which group of older persons is most likely to be living alone or to be institutionalized?
black females
black males
white females
white males
White females
Which person is the most typical resident of a nursing home?
71 year old widower with a broken hip
76 year old woman with CHF
81 year old widow with dementia
91 year old man needing assistance with ADLs
81 year old widow with dementia
Which is the most important factor contributing to substance abuse in older persons?
social pressure to conform
nearness to death
high rate of chronic illness
decreased enforcement of legal restrictions
High rate of chronic illness
What impact does the development of presbyopia have in a person’s life?
it becomes difficult to see clearly at a distance
it is difficult to read print that is near
it causes excessive glare especially in bright sunlight
it makes it difficult to distinguish among dark colors
It is difficult to read print that is near
Which best characterizes the association between age and suicide?
older adult women have a higher rate than younger adult women
younger people have a higher rate of successful suicide completions than do older people
when experiencing sudden physical deterioration, older men are more likely to commit suicide than younger men
young-old persons commit suicide at higher rates than old-old persons because of despondency related to early retirement
When experiencing sudden physical deterioration, older men are more likely to commit suicide than younger men
Which are the leading causes of death among persons of age 65?
arthritis, accidents, Alzheimer’s disease, and suicide
heart disease, cancer, accidents, and stroke
heart disease, bone disease, liver failure, and diabetes
accidents, stroke, pneumonia, and hypertension
Heart disease, cancer, accidents, and stroke
How can a 79-year old woman who is relatively healthy help prevent loss of muscle strength?
participate in regular exercise
maintain a low-fat diet
take estrogen replacements
add vitamin supplements to the diet
Participate in regular exercise
Which term is used to describe health conditions that are long term, and either create residual disability or are permanent?
acute
catastrophic
chronic
terminal
Chronic
Which condition is acute rather than chronic?
osteoporosis
pneumonia
atrophic gastritis
urinary incontinence
Pneumonia
To what is the increase in falls of older adults most commonly attributed?
clinical depression
tripping or stumbling in the home
chronic cardiac conditions
interaction with another older person
Tripping or stumbling in the home
Which metabolic by-products damage molecules and impair physiological functioning during aging?
free radicals
genetic mutations
cytotoxic antibodies
homeostatic cross-links
Free radicals
What is the impact of the normal aging process on the digestive system? It results in
the need to use laxatives to alleviate constipation
the need to use iron pills to supplement the production of hemoglobin and red blood cells
little change in metabolic processes if liver pills are used
little change in functioning if diet is appropriate
Little change in functioning if diet is appropriate
Which acute condition is most likely to affect a person over 65?
bodily injury causing fracture
intestinal infection causing diarrhea
neurological injury such as concussion
respiratory infection such as bronchitis
Respiratory infection such as bronchitis
Which procedure would best minimize the negative effects associated with relocating an older adult from one nursing home to another?
involve the person in planning the move
accomplish the relocation as quickly as possible
anticipate the person’s needs and plan accordingly
ensure that the new nursing home differs substantially from the old
Involve the person in planning the move
Which entities administer the majority of nursing homes in the US?
state and local governments
proprietary organizations
private and nonprofit organizations
church-sponsored organizations
Proprietary organizations
What is the expected result of an older person’s engaging in a regular program of physical exercise?
a reduced incidence of arthritis
a reduced need for sleep
an increased heart rate
an increased lung capacity
An increased lung capacity
What term refers to the normal changes in human physiology that takes place after maturity?
decrement
terminal decline
progressive loss
senescence
Senescence
Int he US, which is an emerging area of concern for persons who provide social services to older adults?
self-neglect
physical abuse
financial fraud
exploitative schemes
Self-neglect
How are muscles affected by aging?
they diminish in mass, with a corresponding increase in fat proportion
the number of fibers increases and joints become more elastic
they become more efficient at processing medications
as water content of the body increases, muscle mass declines
They diminish in mass, with a corresponding increase in fat proportion
Which function shows the least amount of decline with age?
short-term memory
long-term memory
reaction time
perceptual integrative ability
Long-term memory
Which conclusion can be drawn from the research on intelligence testing of older adults?
there is a high correlation between older adults’ reports of memory loss and their IQ test performance
older adults tend to perform poorly on verbal sub tests of IQ tests
the IQ scores of older adults may be related to time and years of education
the older adults tested showed consistency across sub tests on the IQ tests
The IQ scores of older adults may be related to time and years of education
Which factor does not seem to account for an older adult’s ability to maintain high self-esteem in later years?
adequacy of economic resources
high level of social activity
comparison to reference groups
type of living arrangements
Type of living arrangements
Which hypothesis explains the sharply lowered cognitive functioning a few months before a person’s death?
terminal decline
senescence
anomic condition
loss of reserve capacity
Terminal decline
How do persons who are internally oriented respond to the environment? Persons who are internally oriented
believe that they are in control of themselves and their surroundings
believe that they must resist pressure to change
tend to need frequent group activity and social approval
tend to avoid large-group activities and to seek solitude
Believe hat they are in control of themselves and their surroundings
Which task do younger adults perform better than older adults?
being a sales executive
counseling a dying patient
responding directly to a question
feeding paper into a computer printer
Responding directly to a question
Which list of interventions provides the best option for treating an older adult who has been diagnosed with depression?
family therapy, reality orientation, and structured activity
individual psychotherapy, group support, and medication
individual psychotherapy, structured activity, and family therapy
reality orientation, group support, and medication
Individual psychotherapy, group support, and medication
Which statement best characterizes Alzheimer’s disease?
mental deterioration due to a series of transient ischemic attacks
a short-term viral illness followed by rapid mental deterioration
progressive mental deterioration whose manifestations vary among individuals
mental deterioration caused by a recessive gene
Progressive mental deterioration whose manifestations vary among individuals
Which is the primary non-organic mental disorder experienced by older people?
Alzheimer’s disease
anxiety
depression
multi-infarct dementia
Depression
If older adults are presumed to have less knowledge, less physical strength, and fewer skills than younger adults, exchange theory would predict what interactional outcome?
age discrimination
mutual satisfaction
increased interdependency
restricted returns on investment
Age discrimination
Which is the most important factor to consider in assessing whether a patient in a geriatric unit of a psychiatric hospital should be transferred to the community?
the length of time the patient has been institutionalized
the patient’s socioeconomic status
the availability of community mental health resources
the degree of age segregation in the community
The availability of community mental health resources
An 85-year-old woman says that she feels her life has been well spent. She had a good marriage, work hard, and is proud of her children. Overall, she accepts her life. Based on Erik Erikson’s developmental theory, which concept best fits this woman’s attitude?
generativity
despair
isolation
integrity
Integrity
A 75-year-old patient with mild brain cell deterioration has a history of becoming lost in familiar surroundings and exhibits poor reasoning ability and difficulty recalling names of objects. Which is the patient’s most likely diagnosis?
anxiety
dementia
depression
paranoia
Dementia
Which reminder about safe driving would be most useful to a group of older persons attending a refresher driver education course?
drive less often; plan ahead to accomplish as many tasks as possible
never drive alone; always have a companion to give direction and keep you alert
change your rate of speed and use the brake pedal more frequently
maintain your usual driving habits because new cars have more safety features
Change your rate of speed and use the brake pedal more frequently
For the past six weeks, an 82-year-old woman with osteoporosis has lived in a convalescent and rehabilitation center while recovering from a broken hip. Within a few days, the woman will return to her own home, where she lives alone. Which statement is descriptive of Kahn and Antonucci’s “convoy of social support” for this woman as she completes her recovery at home?
a nurse form the visiting nurse association will monitor the woman’s recovery through home visits two times a week for the next 6 weeks. the nurse will also be available by pager
a good friend will stay with the woman for at least the first two weeks. friends since grade school, the two women have helped each other through numerous ups and downs since childhood
a volunteer from the woman’s church will be the woman’s driver and errand helper while she recovers. the volunteer will take the woman grocery shopping, drive her to her doctor’s appointments, and help with heavy housework
a new next-door neighbor will be paid to do the woman’s laundry and take care of light housekeeping tasks. the neighbor will also bring dinner over each evening
A good friend will stay with woman for at least the first two weeks. Friends since grade school, the two women have helped each other through numerous ups and downs since childhood
What is the most prevalent form of residential relocation among older people who migrate within the US?
from metropolitan to non metropolitan areas
from an independent to a dependent living arrangement
from rural farm to metropolitan areas
from suburban to urban areas
From metropolitan to non metropolitan areas
Which theoretical perspective proposes that choice of leisure time activities is related to a person’s concept of self?
age stratification
functionalism
symbolic interaction
discontinuity
Symbolic interaction
Which is a characteristic of current grandparent roles?
there is little variability in the functions that grandparents service in families
obligations of grandparents to their grandchildren are clearly defined by law
grandfathers tend to have more interaction with grandchildren than grandmothers
there is an increasing trend of grandparents becoming surrogate parents for their grandchildren
There is an increasing trend of grandparents becoming surrogate parents for their grandchildren
What has research shown about social class differences before retirement and after retirement? The differences tend to
decrease
be the same
increase
fluctuate depending upon global economics
Increase
Research findings have suggested that marital satisfaction is influenced by how a husband and wife adjust to major life events. Which pair of events are seen as major factors in the marital satisfaction of young-old couples?
death of parents and retirement
the empty nest and retirement
the empty nest and grand parenting
death of parents and grand parenting
The empty nest and retirement
In pre-industrial societies, what factor was responsible for the higher status generally awarded older people?
accumulated knowledge
number of living descendants
prestige of their ancestors
ownership of property
Ownership of property
According to age stratification theory, age-appropriate behavior is specified through which process?
cohort flow
disengagement
life review
role allocation
Role allocation
Why is elder abuse so difficult to recognize and prosecute? Elder abuse most often
is committed by people who have a history of substance abuse
happens in nursing homes and is hard to prove without reliable corroboration
is inflicted on older adults with dementia who do not realize what is happening
happens at home among family members on whom the older persons are dependent
Happens at home among family members on whom the older persons are dependent
Which is the most important factor in producing conformity to age norms?
socialization, resulting in people applying age norms to themselves
existence of laws governing age-related rights and responsibilities
cohort differences in norms among those born in different historical periods
increasing homogeneity among people as they get older
Socialization, resulting in people applying age norms to themselves
Which is the most likely reason for an older woman’s limited sexual activity?
postmenopausal vaginal dryness
lack of a suitable partner
performance anxiety
chronic illness
Lack of a suitable partner
The process in which the past is actively evaluated and attempts at conflict resolution take place is known by what term?
disengagement
life integration
life review
social reconstruction
Life review
Research suggests that which factor will decrease the strain of the caregiver role and likely provide some benefits?
caregiver and recipient share a home
caregiver is the recipient’s oldest daughter
caregiver and recipient have always been close
caregiver is employed in a management position that pays well
Caregiver and recipient have always been close
Milestones in the life course are most likely to relate to which factor?
employment
gender
health
income
Employment
Which is the most accurate statement regarding a worker’s decision to retire at age 65?
it is mandatory according to law
the person will receive full benefits
the person’s health status will worsen
it is perceived as a positive choice
It is perceived as a positive choice
Based on the literature, what conclusion can be drawn about older workers who remain in the work force? Older workers
are as interested as younger workers in technological change
are viewed by management as just as effective as younger workers
require the same time to recover from job-related injuries as younger workers
demonstrate greater job loyalty, motivation, and satisfaction than younger workers
Demonstrate greater job loyalty, motivation, and satisfaction than younger workers
According to research, what is the primary difference in adjustment to early retirement found between workers in white-collar positions and workers in blue-collar positions?
adjustment is dependent on whether the retirement was voluntary or involuntary
workers in white-collar positions generally have a difficult adjustment to retirement
workers in blue-collar positions who changed jobs often tend to have an easy adjustment to retirement
retirees form blue-collar positions who have low incomes tend to have more adjustment problems in retirement
Retirees from blue-collar positions who have low incomes tend to have more adjustment problems in retirement
Which is not a factor in the decline of older adults in the labor force?
an increase int he means of mass production
the rise in importance of large firms
a rise in the crude birth rate
the growth of old-age assistance programs
A rise in the crude birth rate
A woman enters the workforce at age 50. How long must she work before she can collect Social Security benefits?
10 years
12 years
15 years
17 years
12 years
For which reason was retirement originally conceived int he early twentieth century?
to support older workers
to open up jobs for younger workers
to balance the budget during the Great Depression
to handle larger numbers of older members of the military
To open up jobs for younger workers
Which is an accurate statement about the effect of volunteering on older adults?
older adults who volunteer are likely not to have been involved in volunteer work before they retired
older adults are more likely to volunteer than younger adults, but they invest fewer hours per year
older adults who volunteer 40 hours or more a year seem to live longer
older adults choose to volunteer primarily to replace roles they have lost upon retirement
Older adults who volunteer 40 hours or more a year seem to live longer
Which option offered by an employer would most likely increase retirement satisfaction?
preretirement planning
phased retirement
early retirement incentive
health promotion activities
Preretirement planning
Which was an effect of the 1983 law banning compulsory retirement policies? Large companies
offered older workers bonuses and extended paid vacations prior to retirement
granted older workers tenure to encourage them to delay retirement
provided restraining for older workers who needed to keep up with technology
established mentorship programs that paired older workers with new employees
Offered older works bonuses and extended paid vacations prior to retirement
Why do most older women live on less retirement income than most older men?
women may not have needed to work during their younger years because of inherited wealth
women have typically worked in jobs that did not offered retirement benefits
women may have been in the workplace sporadically and have accrued fewer retirement benefits
women have historically been barred from higher paying jobs as their earnings were seen as supplementary
Women may have been in the workplace sporadically and have accrued fewer retirement benefits
What is the best way of reducing the impact of inflation on older people?
cost of living adjustment
reverse annuity mortgage
senior citizen discounts
financial support of family
Cost of living adjustment
Which is the major reason for the decrease in the proportion of older people living in poverty over the past 30 years?
a change in secured income programs
a change in fiscal priorities of programs benefiting older people
improvements in Social Security benefits
increases in Medicare benefits
Improvements in Social Security benefits
When preparing for retirement, most workers indicate that which issue typically is of most importance?
eligibility of health benefits
Social Security and Medicare
level of activity
retirement income
Retirement income
Which age group in the US has the lowest median income?
21-30
31-44
45-54
65-74
65-74
Which statement accurately compares the Medicare and Medicaid programs?
Medicare is the main source of payment for nursing home costs; Medicaid pays for nursing home costs in only a small number of cases
Medicare is an age-based program; Medicaid is a needs-based program
Medicare is financed by general tax revenues; Medicaid is financed by the Social Security trust fund
Medicare does not require the insured to pay a significant amount for coinsurance and deductibles; Medicaid requires the insured to pay
Medicare is an age-based program; Medicaid is a needs-based program
Which pattern of political participation reflects a cohort effect rather than an age effect? Older adults
are less likely to be alienated from the political process, especially in terms of voting, than younger adults
tend more to vote as a single, unified bloc than other age groups
are more likely to have a political party identification, stable since their youth, than younger adults
are more likely withdraw front he political process, especially in terms of financial support, than younger adults
Are more likely to have a political party identification, stable since their youth, than younger adults
Which advocacy group attacked the American Medical Association for failing to pay attention to older people’s health?
Townsend movement
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
National Council of Senior Citizens (NCSC)
Gray Panthers
Gray Panthers
What type of housing alternative may be most affordable for older adults with incomes near the poverty level?
congregate housing
HUD units
single room occupancy hotel
retirement community
HUD units
Since the 1980s, which statement best characterizes the federal government’s view on issues related to aging in the US?
private sector approaches to service delivery should replace public sector approaches
the federal government should have a larger role in providing services and benefits than state governments
services and benefits for older adults should be expanded to other segments of the population
Social Security should be repealed, but Medicare should be retained
Private sector approaches to service delivery should replace public sector approaches
A study of the 1980 election found that the cohort born in 1900-1909 voted substantially more Republican than the cohort born in 1930-1939. What is the most likely factor accounting for this finding?
the average age of the two cohorts
the proportion of surviving women in the cohorts
the relative number of people in each of the two cohorts
the different childhood experiences of the two cohorts
The different childhood experiences of the two cohorts
How does the Older Americans Act differ from the Social Security and Medicare programs? The Older Americans Act
focuses on income replacement
is a federally funded local program
provides nationwide uniform services
provides services based on age and need rather than on employment-based eligibility
Is a federally funded local program
What distinguished the 1981 White House Conference on Aging from its predecessors?
President Reagan’s administration was less receptive to its recommendations than previous administrations
unlike previous conferences, this conference advocated for indexing of benefits for older adults
conference delegates recommended that the Social Security program be disbanded
conference delegates recommended turning over the management of health insurance to the states
President Reagan’s administration was less receptive to its recommendations than previous administrations
Which is considered the major threat to the political legitimacy of programs and policies for older adults?
an increase in the number of advocacy groups such as AARP
a decrease in evidence of age discrimination in the workplace
limited resources and pressure to contain costs
a lack of support among the younger population for programs benefiting older adults
Limited resources and pressure to contain costs
Which statement most accurately describes the original intent of the Social Security system of the US? Social Security
was designed as an insurance model to assist workers to retire
would provide a guaranteed annual income
was intended to be the only means of support for the older person
would pay benefits to a recipient equal to the money paid in by the recipient
Was designed as an insurance model to assist workers to retire
Which statement best describes the political attributes of older adults?
they have a great steak int hes status quo because they helped create it
they tend to be disinterested in politics
they have political attitudes that reflect their vested interests
they reflect their party affiliation in their political attributes
They have political attitudes that reflect their vested interests
What are the projections for the future status of housing for older people?
housing shortages will decrease
homelessness of older people will decrease
housing problems of older people will increase
federal support will increase for construction of subsidized housing
Housing problems of older people will increase
Which benefit is covered by Medicare?
dental care
hearing aids
diagnostic tests
psychiatric care
Diagnostic tests
Which federal entity provides the most coverage of long-term care for older adults?
Medicaid
Medicare
Older Americans Act
Supplemental Security Income
Medicaid
Which statement best describes Kubler-Ross’s proposed first stage of adjustment to impending death? The person who is dying
refuses to believe that death will occur
feels anger and resentment toward impending death
attempts to postpone the inevitable
works toward setting their affairs in order
Refuses to believe that death will occur
Under what conditions do widows and widowers adjust more positively to the death of a spouse?
a funeral is held as soon as possible
a ceremonial wake is arranged
family and friends are helpful and active at the time
the clergy takes responsibility for all funeral-related decisions
Family and friends are helpful and active at the time
Which is a conclusion about fear of dying and death that is supported by the literature?
individuals who are affirmed atheists showed little fear of death
older people expressed more fear of death than younger people
both persons with high sense of purpose in life and those with low sense of purpose have equal fear of death
persons with terminal illnesses express a higher fear of death than those who are aging normally
Individuals who are affirmed atheists showed little fear of death
Which is an example of passive euthanasia? A physician
allows a person to take a lethal dose of pain medication
assists a person who wishes to commit suicide
allows a person to diet by not using all available interventions
assists another physician who is disconnecting a person’s medical support system
Allows a person to diet by not using all available interventions
What term refers to the stage of grief characterized by the ability to remember and talk about the deceased in favorable terms without emotion distress?
anticipation
closure
detachment
reorganization
Reorganization
