Week 9: Aging & Ageism Flashcards
Known as the study of aging
Gerontology
Known as the social study of aging
Social Gerontology
What are the four dimensions of age/aging?
Chronological
Biological
Social
Psychological
The number of years since someone was born
Chronological Age
Refers to the physical changes that “slow us down” as we get into our middle and older years
Biological Aging
Refers to the psychological changes, including those involving mental functioning and personality, that occur as we age.
Psychological Aging
Refers to changes in a person’s roles and relationships, both within their networks of relatives and friends and in formal organizations such as the workplace and houses of worship
Social Aging
What has the most profound influence on the concept of Social Aging?
Perception of aging
To enable younger people to assume important roles, a society must encourage its older people to step down from their previous roles and to take on roles more appropriate to their physical and mental decline. This theory is considered a functionalist explanation of the aging process.
Disengagement Theory
Argue that older people benefit themselves and their society if they continue to be active. Their positive perceptions of the aging process are crucial to their ability to remain active. This theory is considered an interactionist explanation of the aging process.
Activity Theory
Older people experience age-based prejudice and discrimination. Inequalities among the aged exist along the lines of gender, race/ethnicity, and social class. This theory falls into the more general conflict theory of society
Conflict Theory
What is the most preferential view of aging to social gerontologists today?
Activity Theory
Negative views about old age and prejudice and discrimination against the elderly
Ageism
What is a main criticism of the Conflict Theory of aging?
It blames ageism on modern, capitalist economies
What is the life expectancy in most of Africa?
Less than 60 years
What is the major factor in determining the life expectancy of a nation?
The wealth and poverty of the nation
Has life expectancy overall been increasing or decreasing on a global scale?
Increasing
What is the global life expectancy expected to be by 2050?
~75
How much longer are Americans expected to live who are born in 2010 as opposed to 1910?
31 years longer
What is the driving force and main reason for the global “graying” of the world’s population?
The Baby Boom; post WWII
What are some signs of biological age?
- Changes in appearance (grey hair, wrinkles, posture, etc.)
- Fat replaces muscular body mass
- Loss of bone and muscle
- Weaker lungs and respiratory efficiency
- Number of brain cells declines
- Vision and hearing decline
- Learning and memory begin to decline
How many people above 65 have arthritis or high blood-pressure?
Roughly half
What percentage of women in their seventies have osteoporosis?
~60%
What three things are at the top of social gerontologists lists for continued vitality in later life?
- Proper nutrition
- Exercise
- Stress reduction
What are two additional steps suggested by social gerontologists for achieving “successful aging”?
- Involvement in informal, personal networks of friends, neighbours, and relatives
- Religious involvement (reduces stress, encourages social interaction)
How do social networks work to improve the health of elderly/ senior citizens?
By providing both practical and emotional support.
Friends, outside of relatives, have been proven to be crucial. Idea of “secondary friendships” is important
Is the percentage of elderly living in poverty higher or lower than that of the entire US population?
Lower.
9% of elderly in the US live in poverty, compared with 15% of Americans
Are the elderly less or more educated than the general population?
Less
About 22% of the elderly have college degrees, compared to 29% of the population as a whole
A setting of private rooms, apartments, and/or condominiums that offers medical and practical care to those who need it
A continuous care retirement community
What percentage of nursing home residents in the US are women?
Roughly 3/4’s
What are the three main problems with nursing homes in the US?
Quality of care
Cost
Neglect and abuse of residents
The drifting of many people into and out of poverty as their jobs and other circumstances change
Episodic Poverty
What is the AARP?
American Associtino of Retired Perons; which provides travel and other discounts to its members and lobbies Congress and other groups extensively on elderly issues. Its membership numbers about 40 million, or 40 percent of the over-50 population.
How can the US improve the health and lives of its senior citizens?
By turning to models used by other Western nations as a guideline
What is an important quality of the baby boomers and elderly citizens of today that sets them apart form seniors of past generations?
They are better educated, and wealthier on average
What does the study described in the “Millennials” article say about today’s teenagers?
Today’s teens are more materialistic but less willing to work for their toys than baby boomers were when they were in high school
What is the perception of the importance of wealth and hard-work for contemporary teens described as in the “Millennials”?
The “Fantasy Gap”
What’s a prime social consequence of aging?
Retirement income
What’s a prime health consequence of aging?
Physical illness
Home-care issues
Elder abuse
What is “Senescence”?
The biology of aging
What’s the difference between primary and secondary aging?
Primary: Caused by physiological variables
Secondary: Changes attributable to poor diet, lack of exercise, increased stress, poverty, etc.
What does the Feminist Perspective of aging look at?
- The devaluing of women after reproductive years
- Women outliving partners, and ending up alone
- Argues that aging effects men and women differently
