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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging

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”

The Senior Market: A New Image of Aging

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