The ElderlyChelsea Wittlich

Kryssi Bower

Thesis To discuss the various ways different

societies cope with ageing.

Ageing in Global Perspective

Social Construction of Ageing› Tiwi tribe: “covering up”

Extreme way to cope› Abkhasians: respect

Longest-lived people on earth Many factors account for their long lives Elderly continue to contribute to the group Not a burden to anyone

Ageing in Global Perspective

Effects of Industrialization› Higher standard of living› More food› Better public health measures› Effective ways to fight diseases› More people reach older ages

Ageing in Global Perspective

The Graying of America› Life expectancy› Has risen from 50 years old to 80› Graying of America› Life span

At least 122 years old

Ageing in Global Perspective

The Symbolic Interactionist Labeling and the Onset of Old Age

› People who are older than you seem “old”› This label gradually recedes further from

the self› At some point, a person must apply the

label of “old” to him or herself› People are used to gradual changes they

see in the mirror› Shocked to see friends who have aged

The Symbolic Interactionist What makes someone

“old”?› Biology

Physical signs of aging› Personal history

Accident that limits mobility

Generations

The Symbolic Interactionist What makes someone “old”?

› Gender age Relative value that a culture places on the

age of men and women Mature vs. old

› Timetables Signals societies use to inform their

members that they are old Particular birthdays

The Functionalist Perspective

How parts of society work together› Age cohort

If age cohort is large, more jobs open If age cohort is small, less jobs open When elderly retire, adjustments must occur

in society

The Functionalist Perspective

Disengagement theory› Society prevents disruption when elderly

leave positions of responsibility› Pensions

Mutual benefit› Smooth transition between generations

The Functionalist Perspective

Activity theory› The more activities they are involved in,

the happier they are› Research is mixed

Some elderly are content with not doing a lot Some are content only when they’re actively

involved in something Relationships with friends working

The Conflict Perspective Competition, disequilibrium, change

› Social Security Conflict Cause conflict between elderly and young Complaints that elderly are getting more

than their fair share of resources The graying of the U.S. leaves

proportionately fewer working people to pay for social security

Dependence ratio Medical costs have soared

Problems of Dependency Isolation, nursing homes, abuse,

poverty› Isolation and Gender

Women generally live longer Become widows in old age

Problems of Dependency Nursing homes

› Some residents return home after a few weeks or months

› Some die after a short stay› Many are widowed or have never been

married› Memory loss is common› Nursing homes are thought to neglect,

beat, mistreat elderly

Problems of Dependency Nursing Homes(cont’d)

› In reality, most nursing homes are relatively decent

› Most provide aides who take care of the patients

› A study of a well-run middle class nursing home showed 70% of residents who were parents grew

closer to their family 30% were still alienated from their children

Problems of Dependency Nursing Homes(cont’d)

› Nursing Home Reform Amendments passed in 1987 Provided a bill of rights for nursing home

residents› Technology in Nursing Homes

Email Reduces depression, loneliness, and boredom Keep in contact with relatives Actual email message

Problems of Dependency Elder abuse

› In interviews with random nursing home staff, 40% admitted to psychologically abusing

patients 10% admitted to physically abusing patients

› Most abuse actually takes place at home Family members, spouses Due to impatience and stress

Problems of Dependency The Elderly Poor

Fear of poverty› Gender and poverty

Women have lower income than men This follows women into old age

› Race and poverty Whites are least likely to be poor African American and Latinos almost three

times as likely to be poor

Sociology of Death and Dying Culture shapes the way people experience

death Industrialization and the New

Technology› Preindustrialized Societies

Sick were taken care of at home Died at home Life was short

Sociology of Death and Dying

Industrialized Societies› Dying is managed by professionals in

hospitals› Takes place behind closed doors

Isolated, disconnected, remote Institutional death

› Dying is now strange to us› Developed new ways to refer to death› As people grow older, the reality of death

is more real

Sociology of Death and Dying

Death as a Process› Denial

Cannot believe they are going to die Avoid topic of death

› Anger Think their death is unjust Others are more deserving

› Negotiation Bargain with God, fate, or the disease

Sociology of Death and Dying Death as a Process(cont’d)

› Depression Grieve because the end is near No power to change it

› Acceptance Come to terms with death Make wills Pay bills Christians talk about hope of salvation

Desire to be with Jesus

Works Cited Henslin, James. Sociology: A Down-To-Earth

Approach. 5. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001. Print. www.elderlysoftware.com/images/elderly.html www.tsadvantage.com Perkins, Tony. "Growth of the U.S. Older Adult

Population." Demographics of the Elderly Population. 15 Dec 1999. Indiana University. 15 May 2009 <http://iucar.iu.edu/geninfo/demo/growth.html>.

Duneir, Mitchell, and Appelbaum. Intorduction To Sociology. 5. W.W. Norton & Company, 2005. Digital

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