Growing OlderChapter 21

Lifespan Development• Changes and challenges that come with each stage of life.• Young Adulthood – Early 20’s through age 39.• Middle Age – Age 40 through 65.• Old Age – Age 66 through the end of life.

• In the US, the current average lifespan is about 78 years of age.

Young Adulthood• Early 20’s through age 39.• Forming an independent household• Form meaningful relationships (often involving engagement,

marriage, and parenting)• Establish oneself in a satisfying, rewarding career.

Middle Adulthood• Ages 40 through 65.• Many adults have their children before 35, and children

usually are leaving their homes when the parents are 48 to 55 years old. • This time is usually spent as wage earners, independent singles,

or renewed in companionship with their spouses.• Often called “Sandwich Generation”• Sandwiched between caring for their children, and caring for

their aging parents.• Intergenerational caregiving – Caring for both older and younger

generations at the same time.

Older Adulthood• Age 66 through the end of life• The US Population is growing older• 42 million people in the US today are at least 65 years old.• 1 out of every 8 people, or 13% of the population• By 2030, it is expected that there will be 72 million over the age

of 65.• By year 2050, this group is expected to total 88.5 million or

almost 20.2 % of the population

Aspects of Aging• Emotional Aspects• Physical Aspects• Financial Aspects• Housing Arrangements

Emotional Aspects• People may experience some identity problems in redefining

their roles as they age• Parents whose children have left home may exhibit “empty

nest syndrome” • A feeling of loneliness and depression after their children have

left home• People who have followed a career usually reach a peak of

career achievement in middle age• Middle age and older people have access to a whole new

world. They can begin a new recreational and leisure time activities.

• Middle aged and older adults must be able to adjust to new situations, and find new meaning in life.

Physical Aspects• Physically, a human matures in about 25 years• Then at an extremely slow pace, the body begins to

deteriorate. • People who eat balanced meals, get plenty of physical activity,

have regular medical checkups, and maintain a positive attitude about life are likely to feel the effects of aging more slowly than others.• Skins wrinkles• Bones change chemical composition (becoming more brittle)• Heart muscles become less efficient• Blood vessels narrow• Sensory problems begin occurring (hearing and sight)

Financial Aspects• Greatest worry• Social security alone does not meet all living cots• Medicare, Medicaid, and other government sponsored

programs help may medical expenses, but may not be sufficient enough

• Financial planning must be started early in life to build up savings and investments for the aging years

• As people age, they typically turn to a trusted family member to take care of their financial aspects, to make sure everything is paid and taken care of.

Housing Arrangements• Many older people continue to live in the home they have lived for years• That is the most secure plan if the housing is convenient, safe, comfortable,

and easy to maintain.• Moving older people from familiar surroundings can be a devastating

blow to their feelings of security.• Sometimes a move MUST be made• Low-cost, public housing is typically available for older adults• Housing for older people with low or moderate incomes sometimes are

sponsored by churches or other nonprofit groups with federal aid. • Retirement communities are also available, but usually very costly

• Designed for older adults, and usually do not allow children or younger people to move in.

• Social activities are also usually available, along with health care and shopping facilities.

• If older people move in with their children, they may have to accept a secondary role.

• About 4% of people of 65 in the US living in nursing homes, but 11% of people over 85 live in nursing homes.

New Roles in Later Years• Grandparenting• Become grandparents in middle age usually• Ties between grandparents and grandchildren may not be as

strong as they used to since it is very easy to relocate now• Grandparents have more time to travel, pursue new leisure-time

activities, and to be friends with their children• Retirement• Some adjust to retirement easier than others• It is a process, not a one-time event• Changes to daily schedule, financial concerns, legal concerns,

health program concerns, and finding new leisure activities

Accepting Death as Reality to Life• Accepting death can be difficult to accept• Typically before death, people turn to hospice programs for

help.• Medical facility designed for people who have only a few months

or weeks to live• Home-like environment, or in home care• Emphasis on pain management and maintenance of a peaceful,

supportive environment

Stages of Dying• Stages of Dying – stages of acceptance of death• In the terms of the person who is dying:

• Stage 1 – Denial• “No, not me”, cushions impact of finding out death in inevitable

• Stage 2 – Anger• Resent that others are healthy and alive, but the patient is dying• Anger may be directed towards anyone, including themselves

• Stage 3 – Bargaining• Accepting the fate of death, but bargaining for more time.

• Stage 4 – Depression• Mourn past losses, things not done, and wrongs committed• Often grow quiet and doesn’t want visitors

• Stage 5 – Acceptance• Final stage – death is close but patient is ready• Neither happy or unhappy, but usually calm and accepting

Stages of Grieving• Stage 1 – Denial• Strong sense of disbelief

• Stage 2 – Anger• “Why did you leave me?” – survivor takes on role of victim

• Stage 3 – Bargaining• If still alive - survivor may ask “Please let them live. I will be good

for them.”• Stage 4 – Depression• Feelings of loneliness and isolation• Great sense of loss, and feeling helpless

• Stage 5 – Acceptance• Person realizes that the death is a fact and cannot be changed• Starts to see the loss in a constructive way• Stage of healing and recovery

Telling Children About Death• Suppressing or denying grief can have a damaging effect on

anyone, especially a child• Be honest and gentle when telling children about death• Do not lie to children• First explain how flowers and pets die, and how it is a normal

part of life.

Widows and Widowers• Many marriages end when a spouse dies.• Widow is more often the survivor

• Widow – a woman whose husband has died• Widower – a man whose wife has died• 4 times as many widows as widowers• By age 85, a significant amount of wives are widows• They must adjust to a single lifestyle and take on the sole

responsibility for their homes.

Legal Issues of Death• All states have laws dealing with the legal issues of death• They all require that physician or coroner examine the dead body and

issue a certificate that states the time, place, and cause of death.• Autopsy – Detailed physical examination of a dead body to determine the

cause of death• Living Will – Allows people to choose whether or not they want to be kept

alive when there is apparently no hope for them to recover• Organ Banks – Some people make arrangements so that when they die all

or parts of their bodies are donated to medical science or placed in an organ bank

• Funeral Arrangements – A ceremony that honors the person who has died• The Legal Will – Legal declaration of a person’s wishes concerning the way

his or her property will be distributed after death• Names beneficiaries – those who will receive the property• Wills also name legal guardians for minor children