Ageing and Society Flashcards
Why are people living longer?
Less people are dying in childhood and in middle age
How is life expectancy changing?
Mean life expectancy is increasing by 2.5 years every decade
Healthy life expectancy is increasing but not at the same rate as overall life expectancy
What is the definition of ageism?
Unacceptable behaviour that occurs as a result of the belief that older people are of less value than younger people
What are some sources of ageism?
Media, public services, employers, relatives, healthcare professionals
How has what is considered to be old changed over time?
60 used to be considered old but today’s 75 year olds have similar function to 60 year olds in the 1960s
Concept of biological ageing as opposed to chronological ageing
What is the age for retirement for men in the UK?
Stayed at age 65 despite increases in healthy life expectancy
Why may retirement cause society to view older people as a burden?
Working population have to support the growing retirement population = up to 25 years can be spent in retirement versus only 35 years working
What do older people contribute to society?
Experience, time (voluntary work), role as carers and as consumers
What are some specific societies that older people play a major role in?
Traditional = elders are source of knowledge
HIV prevalent = often breadwinners and main carers
High migration rates = main carers for children
How common is elder abuse?
Reported by at least 3% of those aged over 65 in the UK
What are the types of elder abuse?
Financial, verbal, physical, sexual
What older people are vulnerable to elder abuse?
Frail older adults = usually abused by close relatives
Why do older people tend to have no one to care for them?
Smaller families, weak bonds of kinship, all family members working, geographic mobility
Who are older people who have no one to look after them referred to?
Social services = majority get home help
What countries show the biggest growth in the number of older people?
LMICs
