Late Adult Lifestyles

Marriage

most common living arrangement for older adults in

Widowhood

one of the most difficult transitions in life

death of spouse

most significant stressor as rated by HOLMES-RAHE STRESS INVENTORY

death of spouse

may make an older adult feel adrift in life

loneliness

biggest challenge for those who have lost their spouse

relief

death of a spouse who died after a lengthy illness may come as _________ for the surviving spouse

relief

intermingled with guilt for feeling relief at the passing of their spouse

widowhood mortality effect

refers to the higher risk of death after the death of a spouse

widowhood & mortality

predictability of the spouse's death plays an important role in rs between ___________ (2&)

divorce

challenges for older adults, especially women, who are more likely to experience financial difficulties and are more likely to remain single than are older men

men

has higher risk of mortality after death of spouse

divorce

older men = better off financially, more likely to find another partner, receive less support from adult children

dating

due to changing social norms, common for single elders to be involved

men

dating:

sought physical attractiveness and offered status related information more than women

men

dating:

desired women increasingly younger than themselves

women

dating:

desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves

women

dating:

not interested in becoming a caregiver or becoming widowed for a second time

men

dating:

more eager to repartner than older women

remarriage

more stable than those of younger adults

stability

remarriage:

caused by greater emotional maturity may lead to more realistic expectations regarding marital relationships

companionship

more likely seeked in romantic relationships by older adults

cohabitation

older adults who have divorced often desire the companionship of intimate relationships without marriage

living apart together (LAT)

a monogamous intimate partnership between unmarried individuals who live in separate homes but identify themselves as a committed couple

living apart together (LAT)

desire to be autonomous, there is also a need for companionship, sexual intimacy, and emotional support

living apart together (LAT)

WOMEN: avoid trad gender roles

fear of disapproval from others if they were to live together