Sociology of Ageing Flashcards
Describe how the demographic makeup of the UK has been changing over time
The proportion of elderly people is increasing but the number of younger people isn’t increasing in the same way
Increasing population of those living with frailty
- 2/3 of over 65 have 2+ LTCs
- 50% of 75+ take 5+ meds
How has life expectancy changed from the 1800s and why?
What is the difference between men and women
Demographic transition from high fertility and mortality to low fertility and mortality
- improved food supply
- sanitation
- healthcare
Women have consistently had a higher life expectancy
What is the difference between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy
- how has this changed over time
- how does this vary between sexes
We are living longer but increasing proportion is lived in poor health
-higher in women
How does health and illness link to ageing
Days of restricted activity rises with age
Functional capacity increases to its peak in adulthood and then declines
Rate of decline influenced by age, lifestyle, ext factors
Describe the disengagement theory of ageing
Ageing is characterised by progressive loss of roles => social, psychological withdrawal from society => isolation and loneliness
Results in challenges in adjusting to loss of roles
But this doesn’t apply to everyone
Describe the structured dependency theory of ageing
Social factors like
- compulsory retirement
- low pension/poverty and disincentives to work => grateful and passive recipients
Results in withdrawal and isolation
But this doesn’t apply to everyone
Describe the theory of the 3rd and 4th age
No fixed age cut offs, everyone moves at different rates
-freedom from pressure of family and work => rejection of being old until 4th age
4th age is short, characterised by illness and incapacity
-can be temporary if 4th age occurs due to temporary incapacitation
Experiences of ageing are dynamic
Describe the stigma behind dementia
Stigma
- living with dementia => effectively dead
- sidelining continuing potential for happiness, social roles and contributions
Contribution of cognitive decline, social response => social exclusion
-loss of independence
-low self esteem, value and worth
Ultimately undermines potential for seeking help
Stigma for carer too
Describe the trends in loneliness and isolation
Increases with age
- TV may be their main source of company
- living alone due to divorce and loss
- decreased mobility => makes it harder to access public transport
Increased risk of depression, poor CVH
Describe the trends in poverty in the elderly
Women more vulnerable to poverty
-may have been more dependent on husband for income
May not qualify for state pension
-may be reliant on national insurance contributions
Pension credit per pensioner have decreased over time but social care spending hasn’t changed
How does the prevalence of help needed with ADLs increase with age
-how does this differ in people with higher BMIs
How does the presentation in A&E change with age
How does the no of long term conditions change with age
Increase as age increases
- but higher in women than men
- but still less than 50%
Considerably higher in overweight and obese individuals
High in childhood but decreases into adulthood
But increases post 50s
-higher in men than in women generally in older age and younger age
-higher in women in midage
Decreased no with no LTC
Increasing no with 1-4 LTC
-correlation between increasing age and dementia
-often also associated with depression
What are the implications for services, costs and professionals
Increasing no of pensioners
Steady decline in provision of domiciliary care due to resources being cut
The amount of public health spent on older adults is considerably higher than other age groups
Increased employment at older ages
-can lead to increased satisfaction but less likely if their job is physically demanding
What are the implications of living longer on older people
-gender differences
Women more likely to be widowed, live alone and less likely to remarry
More likely to have closer social networks
Less likely to commit suicide
Less likely to have resources needed
Less likely to have their teeth due to osteoporosis
Less likely to have had a good education due to the historical context
What are the living conditions of older adults
What are the trends in living alone and feeling lonely in all ages
More likely to live with children, grandchildren in the east than the west
Older adults may live alone but that does not necassserily lead to loneliness
What is a life course perspective
Multidisciplinary approach which uses events that have happened in the patient’s life to explain their physical, mental and social health
