chapter 13- age and aging

activity theory

the idea that older adults stay happy and satisfied by staying active and finding new roles to replace the ones they had when they were younger

age stratification theory

the idea that society ranks people based on age, similar to how it ranks people by race, class, and gender- gives them different roles and status

ageism

discrimination based on age

baby boomers

people in the US born between approximately 1946-1964

centenarians

people 100 years old or older

cohort

a group of people who share a common characteristic, like age or another demographic trait

community theory

the idea that older adults stay active and engaged by keeping their habits, relationships, and beliefs consistent as they age

dependency ratio

the number of people who don't work (kids, elderly, disabled) compared to those who do work

disengagement theory

the idea that it's natural for older adults to pull back from society and social relationships as they age

elder abuse

when a caregiver intentionally harms or neglects an older person

exchange theory

the idea that as people, they rely more on others and have less power to get their way, so they must depend on others' help

filial piety

showing respect and obedience to one's parents and ancestors

geriatrics

medical specialty focusing on elderly people

gerontocracy

a system where the oldest members of society hold the most power

gerontology

the study of aging and the challenges that come with growing older

gerotranscendence

the idea that as people get older, they develop a broader, deeper perspective on life than they had when they were younger

grief

the emotional and social response to losing someone or something important

hospice

a home providing care for the sick, especially the terminally ill

life course

the period from birth to death

life expectancy

number of years a person is expected to live

modernization theory

the idea that older people lose power and influence in society mainly because of industrialization and modernization

physician-assisted suicide

the voluntary use of lethal medication provided by a medial doctor to end one's life

primary aging

natural biological changes in the body, like changes in cells and molecules, that happen as people get older

secondary aging

aging that happens due to controllable factors like exercise and diet

selective optimization with compensation theory

the idea that people age successfully by focusing on their strengths (selection), improving them (optimization), and finding ways to make up for lost abilities (compensation)

senescene

the process of aging, including changes in the body, mind, emotions, social life, and spirit

social gerontology

the study of social and societal aspects of aging

subculture of aging theory

the idea that older adults form their own community when they are excluded from other groups

supercentenarians

people who are 110 years or older

thanatology

the study of death and dying

aging

the combination of biological, psychological, and social processes that affect people as they grow older

intersectionality

different parts of a person’s identity—like race, gender, class, and more—overlap to create unique experiences of privilege or discrimination

young-old

65-74

old (middle)- old

75-84

oldest-old

85+

graying

a term used to indicate that an increasing proportion of a society's population is older

Who wrote the book On Death and Dying, outlining the five stages of grief?

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

What year did Oregon institute the Death with Dignity Act?

1997

when was the term geriatrics coined

1900

how many states have passed similar laws allowing physician assisted suicide

7

What year did Japan come up with the idea that the elderly deserve assistance?

1986

who wrote modernization theory

Cowgill and Holmes 1972

In what age group is there a case of AIDS in every one in five people?

60-70s

continuity theory

elderly make choices to maintain consistency in internal and external structures; remain active and involved

who wrote exchange theory

Dowd 1975

what percent of elderly over the age of 65 existed on poverty level incomes?

35%

in most countries, who lives longer: elderly women or elderly men

elderly women live a few years longer

the measure that compares the number of men to women in a population

sex ratio

what does the "graying of the US" refer to

increased health problems such as Alzheimer's

how do elderly widows (women) and widowers (men) react to death of their significant other

differently: widows often don't remarry and widowers do

why do baby boomers face an extremely challenging financial situation in general

they did not save enough money to maintain their lifestyle

biological processes

vary, view of it matters

psychological and social processes

changing roles and responsibilities. the changes from beginning and end of life

what 2 things does graying result from

-families tend to have fewer children

-people are living longer

differences among older adults reflect

-ones birth cohort

-social group membership- social class, gender, race

-individual life course- how your life works out

modernization theory

suggests that the primary cause of the elderly losing power and influence in society are parallel forces of industrialization and modernization

socioeconomical selectivity theory

older adults selectively choose to maintain fewer, nut higher quality relationships as they age

life course theories

emphasize the various transitions and stages people experience during their lives

aging process is shaped by what

-historical time and place (generation)

-agency- we do make individual choices

-lifelong experiences- what happens early, effect later