Week 1: Intro to the phenomenon of aging

Question 1

aging does not equal _______ _______

Answer 1

health issues

Question 2

1. What is gerontology?
2. What does “geron” mean?
3. What does “logia” mean?
4. What are the 2 points of view of gerontology?

Answer 2

1. gerontology = the scientific study of old age and the PROCESS of growing old
2. geron = old person
3. logia = study of
4. 1) how aging affects the individual
   2) how aging populations affect society

Question 3

What is geriatrics?

Answer 3

a specialty of medicine for treatment of diseases relating to older age

Question 4

1. T/F: People are living longer than before. Why or why not?
2. T/F: The population has fewer middle aged and older people
3. what was the average life span from 1851-2006?
4. Compare population pyramids now vs 100 years ago

Answer 4

1. T. due to longer life expectancy, lower fertility rates (which increases life expectancy)
2. F. has MORE middle aged and older people
3. 65 and under
4. population pyramids are more wide at the top then before, the changes between old age and younger age for lifespan is not as drastic

Question 5

What province has the most rapid age change? Why does this pose problems?

Answer 5

Newfoundland. because populations changing rapidly makes it difficult to adjust

Question 6

1. T/F: there are more children than older adults in Canada
2. What is intergenerational equity? What is the major problem in Canada and how can this help it?

Answer 6

1. F. there are more older adults in Canada, which is rare
2. intergenerational equity = balanced support of older and younger people through public policy and public expenses. The major problem in Canada is the inequity between older people, so our goal is to use intergenerational equity to balance the supports for all

Question 7

T/F: The major problem in Canada contributing to problems with old age is money and lack of doctors.

Answer 7

F. the major problem is the lack of balance between supports for older and younger people (lack of equity)

Question 8

What are the 2 changes of aging populations?

Answer 8

1. changes in social structure
2. change in health status of the population

Question 9

What are the 3 changes in social structure?

Answer 9

1. family structure = 3 and more generations may live in the same household and this is normal
2. education and job market = healthier older adults are active in society
3. health and social policies = are changing to make things more accessible for older people

Question 10

what are the 3 changes in population health?

Answer 10

1. more chronic diseases and disability = however chronic diseases do not always lead to activity restrictions
2. more need for health care services = long term care vs hospitals
3. more costs = aging is responsible for 1% of yearly increases in health care costs. (very small)

Question 11

1. T/F: acute diseases are more common in older adults
2. T/F: individuals over 50 years of age only have 1 chronic condition

Answer 11

1. F. chronic diseases are more common
2. F. it varies, but as you get older, the prevalence of chronic conditions increase, with 3 or more being common in people older 71.

Question 12

What is the most common chronic illness in Canada?

Answer 12

High blood pressure

Question 13

1. Describe the mental health of older people? What is so surprising about this?
   2.age brings ___________

Answer 13

1. levels of happiness and life satisfaction are higher in older adults compared to the younger group. their mental health is perceived as excellent or good.
2. opportunities

Question 14

What are the 5 reasons we should study aging?

Answer 14

1. to understand aging patterns, status of older people and their diversity in our multicultural society
2. to critically evaluate policies related to aging
3. to understanding the “aging experience” to situate your own life with those around you
4. to challenge and eliminate myths about aging
5. to help Canada become a healthy and active older society

to remember: diversity, policies, experience, challenge, Societal health –> Dula Peep Eats Chocolate Strawberries

Question 15

1. What is a myth?
2. What are the 3 parts to a myth? explain each

Answer 15

1. a widespread belief that is false
2. stereotyping + prejudice + discrimination = goes to our brains
   stereotypes = beliefs not well supported by evidence
   prejudice = we DECIDE based on our beliefs
   discrimination = we ACT based on our beliefs

Question 16

_______ is the 3rd greatest “ism” in our society. ______ is 2nd, _______ is 1st

Answer 16

ageism, racism, sexism

Question 17

What are the 3 reasons why ageism occurs?

Answer 17

1) the young and middle age feel negatively towards aging
2) old age is seen as a time of weakness, sickness an dying
3) people know little about old age and what they do know is based on myth and fear

Question 18

The best way to fight ageism is to demystify the ________ through _______

Answer 18

myths through education

Question 19

What are 3 beliefs on how learning about aging guides our understanding? Are they myths or is there some truth or can these be prevented?

Answer 19

1. as people grow old, deterioration in physical health is inevitable.
   - Some extent is true because wear and tear occurs
   - but self and society perception is key to encourage confidence towards engaging in physical activity, social engagement, healthy diet etc.
2. despite experience, older people cannot have useful economic contributions.
   - this is a myth although there may be some issues in the use of new tech but more time and patience is required
   - there is no age limit to talent and creativity and some professions suits better with older age
3. resources used for older adults will be wasted and there are better uses for them
   - this is a myth
   - many safety, built environment, work conditions and public interventions benefit all people
   - having a healthy and independent older population also saves money

Question 20

What are 3 reasons why we should know about aging?

Answer 20

1. All of us are getting older
2. We can help others live the best old age possible
3. more people work with the elderly than ever before and will find themselves working with the elderly in the future

Question 21

1. what are social structures? Give an example
2. Explain how each of the following social structures are changing?
   a) families
   b) Schools and universities
   c) health care system

Answer 21

1. relatively stable patterns of social interactions. Ex: family, education systems, health care system, line at Starbucks
2. a) families = more 3 and 4 generational families, people are becoming grandparents while they are still active in their careers
   b) universities/schools = are attracting more older people than ever before
   c) health care systems = current system favours acute illness, but older people have an increase in chronic diseases, so the system will have to shift to managing these.

Question 22

1. T/F: stereotyping is always bad. Why or why not?
2. How is stereotyping harmful?
3. T/F: female medical students reported stronger ageism towards older people compared to male students

Answer 22

1. F. it can be useful to help us get along in a complex world where we know only a fraction of people
2. mid-judging, treating people differently, assume things that can decrease confidence
3. F. females expressed stronger intent to work with older people and less ageism

Question 23

Explain the reality associated with each myth:
1. people feel lost in retirement and are often sick and die shortly after
2. most older people feel depressed and bored
3. people in older age groups face a higher risk of criminal victimization than people in younger age groups
4. older people have the highest suicide rates
5. sexual activity and interest in sex decline in later life

Answer 23

1. few people feel sick or lost. Retirement has little effect of health, social activity and life satisfaction
2. older people form a diverse group and some have psychological problems but others have high life satisfaction
3. older people face a LOWER risk of criminal victimization than any other age group, however they have a higher risk of being victims of fraud related to technology
4. older people have the lowest rates, although the tend to succeed in their attempts
5. the lack of a partner spells the end of sexual relations in widows, but many still engage

Question 24

1. What is the black sheep effect?
2. what is elderspeak?

Answer 24

1. occurs when group members diminish against other members who characteristics threaten positive perceptions of the group.
2. speech resembling baby talk when talking to older people –> creates low self esteem etc.

Question 25

Give an example of a street sign that is ageist?

Answer 25

a caution traffic sign with elderly people being perceived as disabled

Question 26

What is “passing” in relation to contradicting stereotypes? Give an example

Answer 26

passing is an attempt by a person in a devalued status to appear as a member within an IN group. Ex: an older woman gets a facelift to appear more youthful

Question 27

1. What is the 3rd age?
2. How is this beneficial?

Answer 27

1. a stage in later life when a person lives in relative wealth, free of work and child bearing duties, in good health and engaged in fulfilling activities –> identifies with a more youthful lifestyle
2. Because it shows that people can be chronologically old but not act or feel old

Question 28

1. What us the 4th age?
2. Is the 3rd or 4th stage more commonly seen in society or the media?

Answer 28

1. a stage in later life when people lose their autonomy to care for themselves, can be accompanied by physical disability
2. 4th stage

Question 29

Why is the idea of “successful aging” bad?

Answer 29

successful aging is the promotion of health and activity in later life, however it can support ageism. This image promotes the idea of aging without chronic illness, disability, low income or physical decline. So it makes normal aging (inevitable physical decline) seem like a disease that is undesirable and preventable

Question 30

1. What is the anti-aging industry? What are some examples of products or services offered?
2. what is amorality?

Answer 30

1. market for products that claim to reduce or reverse aging. products = anti-aging cream, hair growth. services = liposuction, facelifts
2. describes the ageless self as being the norm. Denies aging and dying

Question 31

1. What is gerontophobia?
2. How can education help navigate ageism?

Answer 31

1. fear of the aging process and old age
2. positive interactions between older and younger people, more information, intergenerational services etc.

Question 32

1. Why are older people stereotyped as a burden on society? What can be used to help navigate this?
2. What are 2 ways the federal government has expressed support for older people in Canada

Answer 32

1. people think they are dependent, unproductive and costly. They believe the myth that an increased number and proportion of older people will lead to higher costs for pensions and health care. Intergenerational equity can be used to balance supports for older and younger people through federal and public expenses
2. 1) programs for volunteering
   2) understand and respond to issues faced

Question 33

1. T/F: people can internalize ageist beliefs
2. Why would doctors treat older patients illnesses less aggressively?
3. Ageism can someones hide as _______

Answer 33

1. T
2. because they may use age as a way to limit using expensive treatments and because they may feel that younger patients have more time to benefit from the treatments
3. humour