Chapter 1 Aging Today. Why Study Aging? Understanding Current Social Issues An increasing older population will bring changes in social institutions Beanpole

Chapter 1

Aging Today

Why Study Aging?

• Understanding Current Social Issues

• An increasing older population will bring changes in social institutions

• Beanpole Families

• More community-based health care

• Older people will take part in more active recreation than ever before

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ageism

• Reflects deep-seated uneasiness by the young and middle aged:– Revulsion and distaste for

• Growing old• Disease• Disability• Fear of powerlessness, uselessness, death


Table 1.1 Serious Problems Facing Older People


Culture as a Source of Ageism

• You know you’re old when...– Everything hurts; what doesn’t hurt doesn’t

work– Your pacemaker makes the garage door go

up every time a pretty girl walks by– Your back goes out more often than you do– The last time you helped a little old lady

across the street, it was your wife


Culture as a Source of Ageism

• Negative Images of aging in art and culture throughout history

• Schoolbooks rarely portray older people as examples

• Lack of Knowledge as a Source of Ageism

• Service sector slower or less attentive to older people


The Media as a Source of Ageism

• Older Adults underrepresented:– Prime time Television– Television commercials– Children’s television shows– Print media– Print advertisements– News stories


Elderspeak

• Baby talk to older people– Few clauses; shorter phrases– More filler (“you know,” “like”)– “dearie” “cutie” “sweetie”

• Based on stereotypes– Older person has low mental ability or other

impairment


Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ): True or False?

• Over 20 percent of the U.S. Population is now aged 65 and over– FALSE: 12.97% and continuing to grow!

• Older people have incomes below the poverty level (defined by the federal govt.)– FALSE: In 2007, 9.7% had incomes below

poverty level; has dropped since the 1960s



• At least 10% of the aged are living in long-stay institutions– FALSE: About 5%

• Most will always live on their own or with family members

• Most in institutions have poor health, are very old, and have few informal supports



• The life expectancy of African Americans at age 75 is about the same as that of whites– TRUE: Lower life expectancy at birth but...

• If survive hardships of childhood and live to 75, life expectancy is same as for whites



• The aged have higher rates of criminal victimization than persons under age 65– FALSE: Lowest rates of criminal victimization

across all crime categories• Rates have fallen by 1/3 since 1970s• High rates of larceny with personal contact• Fraud


Victimization by Fraud

• Targeted by con artists and swindlers

• Older people may:– Have savings that make them attractive to

criminals– Have few social supports to protect them– Be more vulnerable to deceptive business

practices


Effects of Victimization

• Lower self-image

• Feelings of inferiority

• Loss of self-esteem

• Loss of independence

• Institutionalization

• Ageism and the Workplace


Table 1.2 Estimated Personal Violent Victimization Rates


Fear of Crime

• 36% of older people felt fear of crime was “very” or “somewhat” serious– 2000 National Council on Aging Study

• Greater fear reported in urban high crime areas than rural

• Crime may involve personal injury

• Theft may affect ability to pay bills


Responses to Ageism

• The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism

• 45% report later years: “Best years of my life”

• 61% would be happy to live another 10 years

• 68%: “Things better than I thought they would be”


Responses to Ageism: Improvement?

• The Media– Children’s storybooks– Print and TV media portrayals of older people

in intimate relationships

• Mass media presenting more varied images of aging– AARP Magazine; After Fifty Magazine


The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging

• Potential older consumer markets– Richest older generation in history– Have 50% of all discretionary income– House rich; nearly ½ all credit cards in USA

• Must find new ways to attract older consumers– Not responsive to negative stereotypes



• Older Consumer Motivation– People felt stronger negative associations

about age than race or gender– Older adults had just as strong an age bias as

younger people– Some older adults try to distance themselves

from being “old”



• Diversity of the Older Population Marketing Strategy– Intense individualist– Liberal loner– Woeful worrier, etc.


The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism

• Ignores diversity, disability, and normal physical aging– Glamorous unrealistic celebrity role models– Rejection of aging

• Cosmetic surgery; Act young; Interest in longevity

• Retirement community advertising– Images of problem-free, active lifestyles


The Ageless Self: Another Form of Ageism

• Critique of the “ageless self”– Mind/Body split rejects the aging body– Should have “frankness about decline and

loss of capacity”

• Examples of change– Women rejected ideal of extreme thinness– Companies targeting older women


Education Programs

• Much school curricula neglects later life

• Social work and Medical Schools offer some, but not enough training

• Direct care workers may have least knowledge of aging

• Fact-based programs alone don’t change ageist stereotypes


Education Programs

• Students who see only ill/institutionalized people may develop negative images

• Should balance information to include successful aging and wellness– Not just focus on problems and ill health


Intergenerational Programs

• Balanced Contact and Guided Reflection• Interaction through classroom and service• Service learning• Senior companion program• Interaction and written reflection upon visits with

institutionalized older people• An “intergenerational school” for all ages


Legislation and Social Action

• Discrimination fought through legislation– Age Discrimination in Employment Act– Age Discrimination Act

• Laws state the ideal but have not eliminated discrimination

• Most middle-aged and older workers will face some discrimination at work


Aging Today Conclusion: An Age-Irrelevant Society

• Judge people by who they are and what they can do

• We are all aging– Ourselves– Our friends– Our relatives– Our neighbors


Documents

Chapter 1 Aging Today. Why Study Aging? Understanding Current Social Issues An increasing older population will bring changes in social institutions Beanpole