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.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Ageism

Reflects deep-seated uneasiness by the young and middle aged:
Revulsion and distaste for
Growing old
Disease
Disability
Fear of powerlessness, uselessness, death
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Table 1.1 Serious Problems Facing Older People

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© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

“Very Serious” or “Somewhat serious”; 2000: A Survey of American Older People

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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
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© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

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
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© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Effects of Victimization

Lower self-image
Feelings of inferiority
Loss of self-esteem
Loss of independence
Institutionalization
Ageism and the Workplace
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© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Table 1.2 Estimated Personal Violent Victimization Rates

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© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

By Type of Victimization at Selected Ages, per 1,000 persons, United States, 2009

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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
© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.