329 Ch10_Relationships to post

Relationships

Overview

• Concepts covered regarding relationships include:

  • Romantic Partnerships

    • Marriage/Cohabitation

    • LGBTQ Older Adults

    • Divorce

    • Widowhood

    • Singlehood

  • Friendship

  • Sandwich Generation

  • Grandparenthood

  • Elder Abuse

  • Sexuality

  • Myth Busting

Romantic Partnerships

Trends in Canada

• The marriage rate in Canada is declining, altering the landscape of partnerships.

• Cohabitation has increased, particularly among older adults:

  • From 1961 to 2016, married couple rates fell while common-law partnerships rose significantly.

Marital Satisfaction

• Varied satisfaction levels as people move through different life stages, including:

  • Transitioning to parenthood.

  • Empty nest stages.

  • Adjustments post the death of a spouse.

Perspectives on Long-Term Relationships

• Socioemotional Selectivity Theory: Preference for long-term relationships to enhance positive experiences.

• Social Exchange Theory: Evaluation of relationships based on costs and benefits.

• Equity Theory: Importance of balance in contributions.

• Behavioral Approach: Couples' behaviors significantly impact relationship satisfaction.

LGBTQ Older Adults

• Considered "double-minorities" and face marginalization due to age and sexual orientation.

• Concerns regarding potential discrimination and violence in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

• Older gay and lesbian individuals often face greater health challenges, including loneliness and depression.

Divorce

Legislation & Trends

• The Divorce Act of 1986 simplified the divorce process.

• Divorce rates are difficult to pinpoint due to multiple marriages and common-law arrangements.

• Since the 1990s, divorce rates have stabilized, potentially linked to a rise in common-law living.

Grey Divorce

• Refers to divorce among individuals over 50, often after lengthy marriages.

Widowhood

Demographics

• Over 1 million widowed women compared to fewer than 300,000 widowed men in 2015.

  • Women often have older partners, limiting their re-partnering opportunities.

  • Men may experience more intense emotional reactions post-spousal loss.

Quotes on Widowhood

• "The final lesson of learning to be independent - widowhood... is the hardest lesson of all." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Singlehood

• Increasing acceptance of singlehood; viewed as having its own rewards rather than a temporary state.

• Around 5% of Canadians over 65 are single and never married.

• Negative stereotypes persist despite research countering myths associated with lifelong singlehood.

Friendship

Importance

• Essential for health and well-being, replacing the stereotype of the "lonely old person."

• Quantity of friendships may decrease with age, but quality remains paramount:

  • Older adults prioritize quality over quantity.

Socioemotional Selectivity Theory

• Time perception shifts priorities:

  • Expansive time leads to information-focused goals.

  • Limited time encourages emotion-related goals.

Sandwich Generation

• Refers to middle-aged caregivers balancing care for children and aging parents, leading to stress and burnout.

Grandparenthood

Roles

• Grandparents play diverse roles:

  • Formal Grandparent: Maintains appropriate involvement without overstepping.

  • Fun Seeker: Prioritizes entertainment and leisure engagements with grandchildren.

  • Reservoir of Family Wisdom: Imparts values, advice, and resources.

  • Surrogate Parent: Takes on primary caregiving roles in specific cases (e.g., substance abuse).

  • Distant Figure: Infrequent contact, mainly during holidays/special occasions.

Great-Grandparenthood

• Becoming a great-grandparent adds significant status and meaning to life.

Elder Abuse

Definition

• Types of elder abuse:

  • Neglect

  • Exploitation

  • Physical Abuse

  • Emotional Abuse

  • Sexual Abuse

Risk Factors

• Ageism, caregiver burden, and cultural factors increase vulnerability.

Sexuality and Older Adults

Misconceptions

• Stereotypes surrounding older adults and sexuality (e.g., lack of desire, unattractiveness):

  • Many older adults maintain a desire for sexual activity.

  • Adaptations may be required, but sexual capacity remains.

Increasing Rates of STIs

• Attention required towards the rising rates of STIs among older adults in Canada.