Aging Chapter Twelve. 2 Quotes on Aging “When people get old and pearls get yellow, neither are worth much.” Chinese Proverb “When people get old and

AgingAging

Chapter TwelveChapter Twelve

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Quotes on AgingQuotes on Aging

““When people get old and pearls get yellow, neither When people get old and pearls get yellow, neither are worth much.” are worth much.” Chinese ProverbChinese Proverb

““The great secret that all old people share is that The great secret that all old people share is that you really haven’t changed in 70 or 80 years. Your you really haven’t changed in 70 or 80 years. Your body changes, but you don’t change at all. And body changes, but you don’t change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion.” that, of course, causes great confusion.” Doris Doris Lessing, Lessing, The Sunday Times The Sunday Times (London)(London)

Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms Inside Perhaps being old is having lighted rooms Inside your head, and people in them, acting. People you your head, and people in them, acting. People you know, yet can’t quite name. know, yet can’t quite name. Phillip Larkin, Phillip Larkin, “The “The Old Fools”Old Fools”

““This would be beautiful to an infant—why is it This would be beautiful to an infant—why is it merely tragic in an older person? Our feelings about merely tragic in an older person? Our feelings about this show the extent to which we judge adults by this show the extent to which we judge adults by their function.” John Mighton “Half Live”their function.” John Mighton “Half Live”

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OutlineOutline

The Social Significance of AgeThe Social Significance of Age Age and the Life Course in Age and the Life Course in

Contemporary SocietyContemporary Society Inequalities Related to AgingInequalities Related to Aging Sociological PerspectivesSociological Perspectives Living Arrangements for Older AdultsLiving Arrangements for Older Adults Death and DyingDeath and Dying Aging in the FutureAging in the Future

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The Social Significance of The Social Significance of AgingAging

Trends in AgingTrends in Aging Age in an Historical PerspectiveAge in an Historical Perspective

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The Social Significance of The Social Significance of AgingAging

Special Terms: Special Terms: AgingAging: the physical, psychological, and : the physical, psychological, and

social processes associated with social processes associated with growing older growing older

Chronological ageChronological age: a person’s age : a person’s age based on date of birthbased on date of birth

Functional ageFunctional age: observable individual : observable individual attributes such as physical appearance, attributes such as physical appearance, mobility, strength, coordination, and mobility, strength, coordination, and mental capacity that are used to assign mental capacity that are used to assign people to age categoriespeople to age categories

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Trends in AgingTrends in Aging

Today, older Canadians make up Today, older Canadians make up more than 10% of the populationmore than 10% of the population

This makes Canada’s population This makes Canada’s population one of the oldest in the worldone of the oldest in the world

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Trends in Aging in Trends in Aging in Canada Canada

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1981 2001

Mean Age

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Additional termsAdditional terms– Greying of CanadaGreying of Canada: the aging of the : the aging of the

Canadian population resulted from an Canadian population resulted from an increase in life expectancy combined increase in life expectancy combined with a decrease in birth rateswith a decrease in birth rates

– Life ExpectancyLife Expectancy: the average length : the average length of time a group of individuals of the of time a group of individuals of the same age will livesame age will live

– CohortCohort: a group of people born within : a group of people born within a specified period of timea specified period of time

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Research on aging has grown Research on aging has grown substantially in the past 50 yearssubstantially in the past 50 years

Special Terms:Special Terms:– GerontologyGerontology: the study of aging and : the study of aging and

older people older people – Social gerontologySocial gerontology: the study of the : the study of the

social aspects of aging social aspects of aging – Includes: societal consequences of an Includes: societal consequences of an

aging population and the personal aging population and the personal experience of aging experience of aging

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Some highlighted statistics from Some highlighted statistics from Figures 12.1:Figures 12.1:– 1900: 5% of the population was >651900: 5% of the population was >65– 1981: 10% of the population was >651981: 10% of the population was >65– 1991: 12% of the population was>651991: 12% of the population was>65– 2031: 22% of the population will be>652031: 22% of the population will be>65

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Projected Population By Age 1992-2036 (2003)

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Population Age 65> 1901-2031 (2004)

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Figure 12.4 reveals:Figure 12.4 reveals:– The Age Pyramid DistributionThe Age Pyramid Distribution– This figure reflects declining birth This figure reflects declining birth

rates and increases in life rates and increases in life expectancyexpectancy

– The result: many more older The result: many more older Canadians and fewer young Canadians and fewer young CanadiansCanadians

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Age in Historical Age in Historical PerspectivePerspective ThemeTheme: people are assigned to : people are assigned to

different roles and positions based different roles and positions based on the age structure and role on the age structure and role structure in a particular society.structure in a particular society.

Age StructureAge Structure: the number of : the number of persons at each age structure and persons at each age structure and role structure in a particular society role structure in a particular society

Role StructureRole Structure: the number and : the number and type of positions available to themtype of positions available to them

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Age in Historical Age in Historical PerspectivePerspective In non-industrial societies, labour was In non-industrial societies, labour was

defined as physicaldefined as physical Thus, as people aged, they were less able Thus, as people aged, they were less able

to contribute to economic well-being of a to contribute to economic well-being of a societysociety

In some hunting and gathering societies In some hunting and gathering societies they were abandoned or killedthey were abandoned or killed

In the 17In the 17thth and 18 and 18thth centuries, older centuries, older persons helped with work and were persons helped with work and were respectedrespected

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Age and the Life Age and the Life Course in Course in Contemporary SocietyContemporary Society Middle AdulthoodMiddle Adulthood Late AdulthoodLate Adulthood RetirementRetirement Special Term: Special Term: Age stratificationAge stratification: :

“the inequalities, differences, “the inequalities, differences, segregation, or conflict between segregation, or conflict between age groups.”age groups.”

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Middle AdulthoodMiddle Adulthood

In pre-20In pre-20thth century, the life century, the life expectancy of Canadians ranged expectancy of Canadians ranged between 40-65between 40-65

Thus, there was no concept of Thus, there was no concept of “middle adulthood”“middle adulthood”

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Meaning and elements of Meaning and elements of senescence (primary aging)senescence (primary aging)::– Wrinkles and gray hairWrinkles and gray hair– ArthritisArthritis– Dulling of the sensesDulling of the senses– Slowing down of reflexesSlowing down of reflexes

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Male-Female Male-Female Senescene Senescene FemaleFemale MenopauseMenopause The The

cessation of the cessation of the menstrual cycle menstrual cycle caused by the caused by the gradual decline in the gradual decline in the body’s production of body’s production of female hormones female hormones such as estrogen and such as estrogen and progesterone (p. 369)progesterone (p. 369)

MaleMale ClimactericClimacteric: the : the

decrease of the decrease of the male hormone male hormone testosteronetestosterone

Some evidence Some evidence that it produces that it produces nervousness and nervousness and depression depression (p.370)(p.370)

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Secondary Aging: “occurs as a result of Secondary Aging: “occurs as a result of environmental factors and lifestyle environmental factors and lifestyle choices.” (p. 370)choices.” (p. 370)

Elements of Secondary AgingElements of Secondary Aging– Smoking, drinking, and little physical Smoking, drinking, and little physical

exercise result in agingexercise result in aging Positive elements:Positive elements:

– Highest level of income and prestigeHighest level of income and prestige– Leave child rearing responsibilities behindLeave child rearing responsibilities behind– The enjoyment of grandchildrenThe enjoyment of grandchildren

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Late AdulthoodLate Adulthood

Age >65 years in CanadaAge >65 years in Canada Elements: Elements:

– Separation of an individual from paid labourSeparation of an individual from paid labour– An erosion of an identity based on an occupationAn erosion of an identity based on an occupation– Loss of valued statusLoss of valued status

Key concept: Key concept: RetirementRetirement: “the institutional : “the institutional separation of an individual from an separation of an individual from an occupational position, with continuation of occupational position, with continuation of income through a retirement pension based income through a retirement pension based on prior years of service” (p. 370)on prior years of service” (p. 370)

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Stages of Being OldStages of Being Old

The Young Old: ages 65-74The Young Old: ages 65-74

The Old Old: 75-85The Old Old: 75-85

The Oldest Old: >85The Oldest Old: >85

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Elements of late adulthood:Elements of late adulthood:– Bones become brittleBones become brittle– Increase of arthritisIncrease of arthritis– Increased chance of diseaseIncreased chance of disease– Some are debilitating: Alzheimer’s Some are debilitating: Alzheimer’s

Disease (55% of organic mental Disease (55% of organic mental disorders are caused by Alzheimer’s)disorders are caused by Alzheimer’s)

– Burden of care on Adult childrenBurden of care on Adult children– Some can be reversed through exerciseSome can be reversed through exercise

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Further Characteristics Further Characteristics of the Oldof the Old

Nursing homes: 5%Nursing homes: 5%

Visual Impairment: 10%Visual Impairment: 10%

Hearing Loss: 50%Hearing Loss: 50%

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New rolesNew roles::– GrandparentingGrandparenting– Stress due to illnessesStress due to illnesses

Most are financially secureMost are financially secure: : poverty rates have declined for the poverty rates have declined for the elderlyelderly

IntimacyIntimacy: One study: married people : One study: married people >65 had a higher level of satisfaction >65 had a higher level of satisfaction with their romantic relationship than with their romantic relationship than married persons of any other age married persons of any other age

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RetirementRetirement

Defined: the institutional separation Defined: the institutional separation of an individual from an occupational of an individual from an occupational position, with a continuation of position, with a continuation of income through a retirement income through a retirement pension based on prior years of pension based on prior years of serviceservice

With new laws, there has been a With new laws, there has been a shift of dependency of the old from shift of dependency of the old from their families to the statetheir families to the state

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In Canada, all those in paid work In Canada, all those in paid work contribute to and have access to contribute to and have access to payments after 65payments after 65

In addition, about 1.4 million elderly In addition, about 1.4 million elderly have additional state benefits have additional state benefits because of low incomesbecause of low incomes

There has been a reduction of There has been a reduction of poverty among the elderly because of poverty among the elderly because of thisthis

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Effects:Effects:– Loss of incomeLoss of income– Loss of identityLoss of identity– Change of lifestyleChange of lifestyle– Change of friendsChange of friends

New activitiesNew activities– Volunteer organizationsVolunteer organizations– HobbiesHobbies– Some return to work Some return to work

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Problems: Problems: – Only a few Canadians have their own pension Only a few Canadians have their own pension

funds (RRSP). In 1999, a poll showed that only funds (RRSP). In 1999, a poll showed that only 11% of Canadians actually expected to finance 11% of Canadians actually expected to finance their retirement through lottery winningstheir retirement through lottery winnings

– Many retired persons are continuing to work Many retired persons are continuing to work (between 1996 and 2001, twice as many (between 1996 and 2001, twice as many seniors have continued to work than the actual seniors have continued to work than the actual rate of growth of the older population)rate of growth of the older population)

– Poor Heath: major effects: loss of freedom, Poor Heath: major effects: loss of freedom, becoming isolatedbecoming isolated

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Inequalities Related to Inequalities Related to AgingAging AgeismAgeism Wealth, Poverty, and AgingWealth, Poverty, and Aging Elder AbuseElder Abuse

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AgeismAgeism

Related to similar concepts such as prejudice, Related to similar concepts such as prejudice, stereotypes, and discriminationstereotypes, and discrimination

AgeismAgeism: prejudice and discrimination against : prejudice and discrimination against people on the basis of age, particularly when they people on the basis of age, particularly when they are older persons are older persons (p. 375)(p. 375)

Sources of stereotypes (some are from the media): Sources of stereotypes (some are from the media): – People are unattractivePeople are unattractive– UnintelligentUnintelligent– AsexualAsexual– UnemploymentUnemployment– Mentally incompetentMentally incompetent

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AgeismAgeism

Effects of these stereotypesEffects of these stereotypes– Difficulty in finding work if neededDifficulty in finding work if needed– Negative self imageNegative self image

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Wealth, Poverty, and Wealth, Poverty, and AgingAging Has the economic situation of older Has the economic situation of older

Canadians improved? YesCanadians improved? Yes The income of those >65 and over The income of those >65 and over

rose by 18% between 1981 to 1997rose by 18% between 1981 to 1997 Will they be able to maintain a Will they be able to maintain a

satisfactory standard of living? Yessatisfactory standard of living? Yes Older people have less income but Older people have less income but

more wealthmore wealth Still, 15% have low incomesStill, 15% have low incomes

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Wealth, Poverty, and Wealth, Poverty, and AgingAging

Feminization of poverty:Feminization of poverty: Poverty rate for elderly women is Poverty rate for elderly women is

double the poverty rate for elderly double the poverty rate for elderly menmen

Unattached elderly women are at risk Unattached elderly women are at risk of povertyof poverty

In 2000, 43% of women living alone In 2000, 43% of women living alone had incomes below the low-income had incomes below the low-income cut-off, compared to 31% of mencut-off, compared to 31% of men

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Wealth, Poverty, and Wealth, Poverty, and AgingAging Feminization of poverty:Feminization of poverty: Gender was more directly related to Gender was more directly related to

poverty in older persons than ethnicity poverty in older persons than ethnicity or raceor race

Others who are more likely to experience Others who are more likely to experience poverty: those whose language is not poverty: those whose language is not English or French, those with limited English or French, those with limited education, Aboriginals, people in small education, Aboriginals, people in small towns and unattached persons.towns and unattached persons.

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Elder AbuseElder Abuse

DefinedDefined: the physical abuse, the : the physical abuse, the psychological abuse, financial psychological abuse, financial exploitation, and medical abuse or exploitation, and medical abuse or neglect of people >65 neglect of people >65

Known as the “Hidden victims.”Known as the “Hidden victims.” 1999 survey: about 4000 were 1999 survey: about 4000 were

surveyed:surveyed:– 7% reported abuse from an adult child, 7% reported abuse from an adult child,

caregiver, or spousecaregiver, or spouse– Emotional abuse was the most commonEmotional abuse was the most common

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Elder AbuseElder Abuse

Police records:Police records:– About 25% of reported offences were from About 25% of reported offences were from

family membersfamily members– Kinds:Kinds:

AssaultAssault Uttering threatsUttering threats RobberyRobbery Financial abuseFinancial abuse

– Older people report fear of crimeOlder people report fear of crime– Effects: more serious as they are more Effects: more serious as they are more

vulnerablevulnerable

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Sociological Sociological PerspectivesPerspectives FunctionalistFunctionalist Symbolic InteractionistSymbolic Interactionist ConflictConflict FeministFeminist Postmodernist Postmodernist

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FunctionalistFunctionalist

ThemeTheme: how older persons adjust to the : how older persons adjust to the changing roles in society...to devalue the changing roles in society...to devalue the elderly is dysfunctional for societyelderly is dysfunctional for society

Theory: Theory: disengagement theorydisengagement theory: older : older persons make a normal and healthy persons make a normal and healthy adjustment to aging when they detach adjustment to aging when they detach themselves from their social roles and themselves from their social roles and prepare for their eventual death prepare for their eventual death

Functional both for the person and the Functional both for the person and the societysociety

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Symbolic InteractionistSymbolic Interactionist

ThemeTheme: how people deal with the : how people deal with the aging process and how this aging process and how this experience can vary under different experience can vary under different circumstancescircumstances

Activity theoryActivity theory: states that people : states that people tend to shift gears in late middle age tend to shift gears in late middle age and find substitutes for previous and find substitutes for previous statuses, roles, and activities statuses, roles, and activities

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Hypothesis: Healthy people who Hypothesis: Healthy people who remain active have a higher level of remain active have a higher level of life satisfaction than those who are life satisfaction than those who are inactive or in ill healthinactive or in ill health

Continuity: people attempt to maintain Continuity: people attempt to maintain their self-esteem and lifelong their self-esteem and lifelong principles and practices and that they principles and practices and that they simply adjust to the feedback from simply adjust to the feedback from and needs of others as they grow and needs of others as they grow olderolder

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Problem: the elderly are not Problem: the elderly are not valued for their long experiencesvalued for their long experiences

Exchange: older people can Exchange: older people can exchange their knowledge for exchange their knowledge for deference and respect from deference and respect from younger peopleyounger people

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ConflictConflict

Theme: in capitalist societies, as Theme: in capitalist societies, as people age they lose control and people age they lose control and powerpower

Visible minority elderly have Visible minority elderly have additional challengesadditional challenges

Aboriginal peoples suffer moreAboriginal peoples suffer more Yet, in many Aboriginal peoples elders Yet, in many Aboriginal peoples elders

have a higher status than among have a higher status than among other Canadiansother Canadians

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Feminist PerspectivesFeminist Perspectives

A major problem for women: During A major problem for women: During their potential for earnings, it was a their potential for earnings, it was a expectation that women were stay at expectation that women were stay at home mothers (1950-1965)…thus they home mothers (1950-1965)…thus they gained little independent incomes with gained little independent incomes with relevant retirement plansrelevant retirement plans

Nearly half of women over age sixty-Nearly half of women over age sixty-five are widowed and living alone on five are widowed and living alone on fixed incomesfixed incomes

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Feminist PerspectivesFeminist Perspectives

Gender was more directly related to Gender was more directly related to poverty in older persons than was poverty in older persons than was ethnicity, educational background, ethnicity, educational background, or occupational statusor occupational status

Many middle-age women are Many middle-age women are working but make less than men and working but make less than men and thus have less to save for retirement thus have less to save for retirement and less monies in pension fundsand less monies in pension funds

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Postmodern Postmodern PerspectivesPerspectives

Focus: a new social construction of the Focus: a new social construction of the elderly in the light of:elderly in the light of:– Erosion of aging stagesErosion of aging stages– Labour demands can be met by the elderlyLabour demands can be met by the elderly– Technology is creating “age-less” elderlyTechnology is creating “age-less” elderly– Examples: breast implants, face-lifts, Examples: breast implants, face-lifts,

hormone replacement therapieshormone replacement therapies– Less and less demands for retirement at 65Less and less demands for retirement at 65

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Postmodern Postmodern PerspectivesPerspectives Focus: a new social construction Focus: a new social construction

of the elderly in the light of:of the elderly in the light of:– Increased health for the elderlyIncreased health for the elderly– Increased recreation Increased recreation

Question: How far can we go to Question: How far can we go to “undo” primary aging “undo” primary aging mechanisms?mechanisms?

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Living Arrangements Living Arrangements for Older Adultsfor Older Adults Growth of institutionalization of the Growth of institutionalization of the

elderlyelderly Yet, only 10% of women and 5% of Yet, only 10% of women and 5% of

men are in these facilitiesmen are in these facilities Extensions of care:Extensions of care:

– Homemaker servicesHomemaker services– Daycare centresDaycare centres– FamilyFamily– Social networksSocial networks

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Living Arrangements Living Arrangements for Older Adultsfor Older Adults Nursing HomesNursing Homes

– Any institution that offers medical Any institution that offers medical care for chronically ill older people care for chronically ill older people but is not a hospital but is not a hospital

– Many people suffer from the Many people suffer from the transitiontransition

– Some evidence of abuse, neglect, Some evidence of abuse, neglect, excessive use of restraintsexcessive use of restraints

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Death and DyingDeath and Dying

In pre-industrial societies, many In pre-industrial societies, many people died before they were old people died before they were old

Death was considered part of lifeDeath was considered part of life In current, industrialized societies, In current, industrialized societies,

death is a problemdeath is a problem Question of assisted suicideQuestion of assisted suicide Question of ethical guidelines for Question of ethical guidelines for

the removal of life supportsthe removal of life supports

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How do people cope with death?How do people cope with death?1) 1) stage-based approachstage-based approach: use of : use of Kubler-Ross’ proposed five stagesKubler-Ross’ proposed five stages2) 2) Dying trajectoryDying trajectory: may be : may be sudden or gradualsudden or gradual3) 3) Task-based approachTask-based approach: the dying : the dying person can and should go about person can and should go about daily activities and fulfill tasks that daily activities and fulfill tasks that make the process of dying easiermake the process of dying easier

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An institutional approach:An institutional approach:

the emergence of the the emergence of the hospicehospice: a : a homelike facility that provides homelike facility that provides supportive care for patients with supportive care for patients with terminal illnessesterminal illnesses

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Aging in the FutureAging in the Future

Elements of the future:Elements of the future:– By the year 2031, there will be 8 By the year 2031, there will be 8

million persons >65million persons >65– Will be less ageismWill be less ageism– Who will care for them?Who will care for them?

FamiliesFamilies Women as care giversWomen as care givers New medical breakthroughsNew medical breakthroughs Growth of Interest groups for the elderlyGrowth of Interest groups for the elderly

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QuestionsQuestions

How will the increase in number of How will the increase in number of Canadians over 65 impact institutions?Canadians over 65 impact institutions?

Explain and critique disengagement Explain and critique disengagement theory and activity theory.theory and activity theory.

Give examples of how the stages of Give examples of how the stages of age (childhood, middle age, old age age (childhood, middle age, old age ex.) are socially constructed.ex.) are socially constructed.

How can seniors be better integrated How can seniors be better integrated into Canadian Society? What does into Canadian Society? What does society risk if they are not?society risk if they are not?

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ReferencesReferences

Moody, Harry R Moody, Harry R Aging : Concepts Aging : Concepts and Controversiesand Controversies Pine Forge Pine Forge Press 2000Press 2000

Documents

Aging Chapter Twelve. 2 Quotes on Aging “When people get old and pearls get yellow, neither are worth much.” Chinese Proverb “When people get old and