BR: What are issues or aspects of life that the elderly experience or that sociologist may study?

What values do we place on age?

• Social status• Knowledge• Employment• Retirement• Sports• Hobbies / leisure• Family

Ageism

• “ belief that one age category is by nature superior to another age category”

• Most often used against the elderly in industrial societies

• Many stereotypes are portrayed about the elderly throughout the media outlets

Elderly stereotypes

• Unproductive• Cranky• Physically impaired• Mentally impaired• Medications• Poor health• Poverty

The Aging World

• Over 600 million people 60 or over worldwide• By the year 2050 / 2 billon• U.S. population 15% is 60 or over• “Graying of America” by 2025 , 20%• Advances in health care • Baby Boomers ( rise in births from1946 to

1960 )

American Association of Retired Persons ( AARP )

• Largest special interest group in America ( 40 million members )

• Financial advice• Health insurance• Travel• Prescription discounts• Magazine

Social Security / Medicare

• Social Security: funded by payroll or income taxes on workers, employers, and self-employed for pensions of retired workers and the disabled.

• Medicare: government sponsored health insurance plan for elderly Americans and Americans with disabilities