ACPSY 273: Comprehensive Notes on Older Adulthood and Gerontology

Defining the Stage: Older adulthood is characterized as a significant and important stage of human development.
Chronological Threshold: This stage of life is typically defined as beginning at age $60$ and continuing through the end of life.
Core Areas of Exploration: * Gerontology: The scientific study of aging. * Changes in Old Age: Physical, mental, and social transitions. * Successful Aging: Factors contributing to positive outcomes in later life. * Ageism and Myths: Addressing stereotypes and misconceptions regarding older adults.

Life Expectancy Trends: There has been a massive shift in how long people live. Life expectancy increased by approximately $30$ years between the year $1900$ and the year $2000$ .
Population Statistics: * $1990$ Census Data: In the year $1990$ , approximately $4\%$ of the United States population was over the age of $65$ . * $2020$ Census Data: By the year $2020$ , this demographic represented over $15\%$ of the population.
Centenarians: The population of individuals reaching the age of $100$ or older (centenarians) has grown significantly, totaling almost $400,000$ individuals.

Gerontology Defined: This is the exhaustive study of the physical, mental, and social processes involved in growing older. * Etymology: The term is derived from the Greek words "geron", meaning "aging" or "old man," and "logos", meaning "knowledge" or "study of." * Field History: Gerontology is a relatively modern academic discipline, having emerged primarily within the last $50$ years.
Geriatrics Defined: A specific medical subset of gerontology. * Focus: This field of medicine specializes in the diseases, pathology, and clinical treatments specifically pertaining to older persons.

Definition of Ageism: Prejudice, prejudging, or discrimination directed at an individual or group based solely on their age or physical condition associated with age.
Cognitive Impact: Ageism causes society to make sweeping assumptions about individuals based on preconceived notions of what it means to be old, rather than looking at individual characteristics.
Societal Drivers of Ageism: * Worship of Youth: A cultural obsession with maintaining youth and physical beauty. * Economic Value: A societal tendency to base a person's worth on their level of economic production.

Conceptual Framework: How we perceive and explain the drivers of change during older adulthood is largely determined by the specific theories of aging applied.
Theoretical Purpose: These theories attempt to identify what causes and directs the specific physical and psychosocial changes experienced in late life.

Origins: Developed in the year $1961$ .
Core Premise: This theory posits that as people age, they naturally remove themselves from society, and conversely, society eases away from them.
Characteristics of the Older Adult: Older persons are viewed as becoming increasingly inactive and withdrawn. The theory suggests that elders do not actually need to remain active.
Social Functionality: * Adaptive Nature: The process is considered a normal, natural, and adaptive response for both the individual and society. * Power Transfer: It is viewed as functional for society to transfer power, authority, and responsibility to younger generations. * Retirement: It facilitates the removal of older individuals from the workplace.
Psychological Shift: Individuals shed many adult attachments and responsibilities, leading to a state of being increasingly passive and isolated.

Origin as a Critique: Developed as a direct reaction against the Disengagement Theory.
Core Premise: Asserts that old age is fundamentally no different from middle age in terms of human needs and potential.
Outcome for the Individual: High levels of satisfaction and psychological adjustment are linked directly to remaining active. Those who remain engaged will be better adjusted than those who disengage.
Alignment with Values: This theory correlates more closely with modern societal values regarding the importance of work, productivity, and staying busy.

Life Stage: Late Adulthood, defined as the period from the late $60s$ and upward.
The Defining Crisis: Integrity vs. Despair.
Mechanism: The older adult engages in a life review, reflecting on their past experiences. * Integrity: A sense of satisfaction and completion regarding one's life. * Despair: A sense of failure or regret regarding one's life choices and outcomes.
Comparative Analysis: Students are encouraged to compare how Erikson’s stage of reflection aligns or conflicts with the behavioral models of Disengagement and Activity theories.

Framework: Based on concepts from Social Psychology.
Role Identification: Throughout the lifespan, people hold multiple roles and relationships, including: * Spouse * Parent * Sibling * Employee * Friend
Identity and Self-Concept: These roles are the primary determinants of an individual's self-concept and self-image.
The Impact of Aging: Aging fundamentally alters roles, societal norms, standards, and expectations. This shift requires significant adaptation.
Case Study Examples of Role Transition: * Widowhood: A woman aged $75$ who has identified as a "wife" for $50$ years faces a severe challenge to her self-concept upon widowhood, distinct from the actual grief of the loss. * Retirement: A man aged $65$ who has defined himself as the "primary breadwinner" or "employee" for his entire adult life may experience a difficult adjustment period upon retirement as that central role is removed.