Sociology - Dependence in later life

Question 1

Challenges of the social care system

Answer 1

• Rising LIFE EXPECTANCY
• Rising life expectancy NOT EQUAL TO DISABILITY FREE LIFE EXPECTANCY
• Many extra years of life leads to an almost INEVITABLE PHYSICAL DEPENDENCY
• less reliable PENSIONS and CHANGING CAREER PATTERNS
• Government and media often describe the elderly as an ever increasing BURDEN on health and social care

Question 2

What is the dependency ratio?

Answer 2

Taxpayers:dependents

Question 3

Considerations

Answer 3

• Elderly NOT a homogenous group
• CHARSCTERISTICS don’t change in old age (gender, ethnicity, class etc)
• Such inequalities ACCUMULATE over the life course and become prominent later in life
• WOMEN have higher life expectancy but tend to have reduced PENSIONS and LESS SAVINGS
• Often less well enumerated than men –> greater risk of POVERTY and higher risk of MORBIDITY

Question 4

Assumptions about old age/retirement

Answer 4

• Idea of dependency reflects a number of assumptions about older age
• Old age –> reduction in PRODUCTIVITY
• Old age brings long term HEALTH PROBLEMS which affects ones ability to participate in the LABOUR MARKET
• It is expected that at a certain age people transition to ENFORCED RETIREMENT
• SUCCESS becomes measured by ADLs
• Those needing help are LABELLED as DEPENDENT –> UNDERMINING key cultural values of RESPECT and DIGNITY –> can become a BARRIER in asking for support

Question 5

The Social Care system

Answer 5

• Promoting individual wellbeing (personal dignity, physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing, no abuse/neglect, autonomy
• Prevention - interaction with healthcare system
• Assessment of needs
• Promoting the integration of care services (with NHS)

Question 6

Types of social care provision in the UK

Answer 6

• Support for those living in their own homes
• Long term institutional care in nursing or residential homes
• Informal care

Question 7

Identify the ways which the concept of social dependency in older age is socially constructed

Answer 7

A SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION is everyday knowledge that is CREATIVELY PRODUCED through SOCIAL INTERACTIONS that give MEANING to our lives and influence how we tackle PRACTICAL PROBLEMS

Old age seen to bring about a REDUCTION IN PRODUCTIVITY and long term HEALTH PROBLEMS affect ability to participate in the LABOUR MARKET

Assumptions create a SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EXPECTATION OF DEPENDENCY, individuals forced to leave the world of work to that of an ENFORCED RETIREMENT

Triggers a ROLE/STATUS CHANGE where an individuals SUCCESS is measured by their ability to maintain ADLs

Can undermine key cultural values of SELF RESPECT and PERSONAL DIGNITY