AGING: SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF GROWING OLD

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1 AGING: SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF GROWING OLD

2 Demographics Ageism Prejudice and discrimination based solely on age The U.S. Census Bureau defines the elderly population as 65 and older

3 Demographics U.S. Census Bureau projections: The nation will be more racially and ethnically diverse, as well as much older, by the mid-21st century 2030 Baby boomers (babies born from approximately 1946 to 1964) are 65 or older; nearly one in five U.S. residents will be considered elderly This age group will increase to 88.5 million in 2050, more than doubling since 2008 (38.7 million) The 85-and-older population will more than triple from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050

4 Demographics Why the big changes? People are living longer Sociologists generally divide the elderly into different categories: The young old and the old old Young old range in age from 65 to 75 Generally healthy and comprise an active group of senior citizens Tend to have fewer social problems Old old are over age of 75 Tend to have more problems and need more social support

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7 Ageism Ageism likely to become more prevalent due to the growing population of older individuals David Certner, legislative policy director for the American Association of Retired Persons People are healthier, living longer, and have more economic reasons to stay in the workforce On the employment side, there is greater demand for experienced (older) workers America values youth

8 International Life Expectancy The common belief is that medical advances have increased life expectancy Studies show medical science accounts for only 3% of the increase in life expectancy from 1900 to 1970 Thomas McKeown Increase in life expectancy due to two factors: Improvements in standard of living Improvements in hygiene Life expectancy remains low in nonindustrialized nations

9 Current Influences on Ageism Media especially TV has huge impact on the spread of ageism The older generation is often depicted as hunched-over and wrinkled, with gray hair and liver spots Depictions reinforce negative stereotypes that lead to ageism and distort perceptions of growing older

10 The History of Ageism The real problems of aging are rooted in history Thomas R. Cole The Journey of Life the revolt against hierarchical authority and the rise of Victorian morality cultivated a negative view of aging Ageism is the product of mid-19th century health reformers who believed that individuals were healthy by nature and that disease was caused by some offense of natural law This philosophy harbored evasive and hostile attitudes about the realities of aging

11 Income and Poverty As we age, it becomes more difficult to work and the ability for self-support through income decreases One in ten seniors currently lives in poverty Social Security is one of main reasons why the percentage is low as it is In 2007, 16.1% of the elderly lived at 125% of poverty threshold Just barely above the poverty line Age stratification is problem for society with an increasing number of elderly members

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13 Safety and Security One problem related to aging is elder abuse Comes in many forms: Physical Sexual Psychological Financial Neglect Abandonment desertion The exact number of elder abuse incidents is unknown because many cases go unreported There are no federal guidelines for structuring elder abuse laws, and only some states mandate reporting procedures

14 Housing and Residential Care Most seniors decide to stay in their own homes Aging in place Research suggests seniors are not ready to be put out to pasture because they ve gotten old At times, the elderly cannot take care of themselves at home Other residential options exist to support the elderly who require more assistance

15 Housing and Residential Care Senior Care: Behind Closed Doors Quality of care varies depending on who funds the nursing home Non-profit facilities: state-run nursing homes For-profit facilities: private insurers or resident funded State-funded homes provide poorer care than those that are privately funded

16 Housing and Residential Care Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) Highlighted abuse and neglect of residents in nursing homes across United States 25% of nursing homes were cited for quality problems that would harm residents or put them at risk of death Follow-up inspections showed nearly half of homes did not make efforts to improve

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18 Special Problems for the Elderly Home-Health Care Medical care provided for patients who cannot leave their homes but have a possibility of improving Hospice Care Short-term aid only available to patients with six months or less to live Does not take measures to prolong life nor does it try to prematurely end a person s life

19 Functionalism: Disengagement Theory Disengagement Theory Suggests that reduced interaction between elderly persons and other members of society is unavoidable, mutual, and acceptable Also suggests that remaining members of society are freed from having to see the painful side of aging, death, and dysfunction To avoid disrupting the social system, society disengages aging individuals Makes room for younger people to fill their roles

20 Functionalism: Disengagement Theory By disengaging the elderly, society can move forward The process is desirable for the young and for aging Allows older individuals to prepare themselves for the end of their lives Frees them from the expectations of their previous life Critics of disengagement theory Dispute that the process is functional Do all seniors willingly retire, or are some forced out? Does society pay the cost of losing their wisdom?

21 Symbolic Interactionism: Activity Theory Each individual experiences the process of aging differently Depending on the effect of environment and individual relationships Sociologist Charles H. Cooley People develop a sense of self through personal interactions with others Social interaction is still important for seniors

22 Symbolic Interactionism: Activity Theory Successful aging is a multifaceted phenomenon that encompasses not only health but also psychological wellbeing, role integration, and social engagement Activity theory States that life satisfaction depends on maintaining societal involvement by developing new interests, hobbies, roles, and relationships Seniors still engaged in some form of work are happiest and have greatest expressed life satisfaction

23 Symbolic Interactionism: Activity Theory Growing old is a difficult transition for many seniors Could cause depression or dissatisfaction in life Robert Atchley Continuity theory Older people seek out familiar areas of their lives and strive to keep those constant as they age This becomes a strategy for adaptation to the challenges of growing old Research suggests spirituality serves to help people adapt and cope with the problems of aging

24 Conflict Theory Conflict theory suggests that those with power use it to their advantage, exploiting those with few options Companies Will hire retirees because they can pay them low wages and receive the work experience of a person who has long history of maintaining a job Situations like these potentially exploit the elderly This form of ageism penalizes the old and desperate

25 Conflict Theory Retirement allows companies to save money by replacing older, more expensive workers with a younger, cheaper workforce

26 Specific Problems of Aging Social Security Government-run social insurance program paid to retired workers The government mandates Social Security, and the American workforce funds it through payroll taxes With large numbers of workers preparing for retirement, there is a question of the system s lack of sustainability Without major changes to the system, it will no longer be able to pay benefits in full by the year 2037 The administration warns citizens to save for retirement through other avenues as well

27 Specific Problems of Aging Medicare Government-run social insurance program that provides health coverage for people 65 and older Similar to Social Security, projections of continuing coverage for future generations look problematic Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees Problems facing Medicare are actually more severe than those of Social Security because of the rising costs of medical care

28 Specific Problems of Aging Death and Dying Most wish death to be quick, peaceful, and free of pain A topic of worldwide debate centers on physician-assisted suicide (PAS) and euthanasia PAS The terminally ill receive prescriptions for self-administered lethal medications from physicians Euthanasia is divided into two subgroups Passive, or allowing a person to die Active, or doing something to assist suicide Taking away a patient s life-sustaining medication Physician directly administers a lethal medication

29 Euthanasia in Action Maurice A. M. de Wachter, director of the Maastricht Institute for Bioethics Although active euthanasia is technically illegal in the Netherlands, physicians are protected but adhere to three conditions: Voluntariness: The patient s request must be persistent, conscious, and freely made Unbearable suffering: The patient s suffering cannot be relieved by any other means Consultation: Attending physician must consult with a colleague regarding patient s condition, genuineness, and the appropriateness of the request for euthanasia

30 Death With Dignity Active euthanasia illegal in the U.S. 1997, Oregon Death with Dignity Act Terminally ill patients may seek physician-assisted suicide Patients can voluntarily self-administer a lethal drug prescribed by their physician State of Washington passed similar law in November 2008

31 Death With Dignity Few physicians are willing to follow through with the procedure The universal stigma attached to death and dying weighs heavily on society today Laws such as Death with Dignity are slow to be legislated A 2005 opinion poll of 1,010 U.S. adults: 79% surveyed were in favor of a law that would allow doctors to comply with the wishes of a dying patient in severe distress who asks to have his or her life ended

32 Active Euthanasia Pro The state should not interfere with a patient s right to choose when or how he or she dies. Euthanasia is an act of mercy for patients in severe pain and emotional turmoil. Medical advancements that prolong the lives of the terminally ill are against natural law, so euthanasia should be a valid option, too. It costs much more to keep patients alive (through medicine, treatment, etc.) than to let them die. Con Euthanasia is murder and, depending on the situation, suicide. It breaches spiritual and religious boundaries, resulting in dire moral consequences. In some cases, the family or medical personnel would have to decide when the patient dies, not the patient. Euthanasia is against natural law. If euthanasia were made legal, the cost of monitoring and legal interferences would be greater than the cost of heath care to keep patients alive.