OLD AGE

WHY RETIRE?

REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T RETIRE

Financial needsA desire to maintain benefitsWants to keep activeEnjoys the work

Question 1

What major life changes do older people have to face? Are there specific life changes that older people that you know have had to face?

Question 2

Most people view growing old in a negative light with negative images. What negative images of aging have you seen on TV or in other media?

ATTITUDES TOWARD AGING

Most attitudes are based on a decremental model of agingidea that people decline physically and mentally with age Physical condition varies amongst elderly

Negative views of the elderly are a form of prejudice known as ageism

Stereotypes of old people: poor health, live in poverty, sit around and do nothing, inflexible, senile

Truths: many old people lead active lifestyles and only 10% are senile do to disease, not aging

Question 3

Give some examples of famous people who have made important contributions to society in their older years.

CHANGES IN HEALTH Most people over 65 are in

good health due to earlier years of healthy living

About 40% of elderly have a one illness that will stay with them until death Four most common: heart

disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis

Major causes of death: heart disease, cancer, and stroke

Quality of health care for elderly is not as good due to incorrect diagnosis and worse health care in nursing homes

Question 4

In current presidential elections, 72% of citizens 55 and older voted compared to only 47% of citizens between 18 and 24. Why do you think older Americans vote more than younger Americans?

CHANGES IN LIFE SITUATION

Important life changes for older people are usually negative Loss of husband or wife Depression in common in older adults Some skills do decline

Question 5

Many consider old age as the “golden years”, but depression is very serious amongst older people. What kinds of life changes could lead to depression?

CHANGES IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Stereotype: old people don’t have sex Majority of people over 65 with healthy

partners enjoy sex into their 70s and 80s Society discourages sexual expression by

older people Families oppose remarrying after the death of a

parent

Question 6

Why do you think a healthy sex life might be important for older people?

ADJUSTING TO OLD AGE

Organizations like AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) speak out on issues important to older people

Mental ability does decline, but not as much as people think

Mental disorders Senile dementia—decrease in mental abilities—

memory loss, forgetfulness, and decline in ability to think

Alzheimer’s disease—destroys people’s ability to think, remember, relate to others, and care for themselves There is no cure

Question 7

How do you think an older person’s life would change if he or she could no longer drive a car?

Question 8

Give an example of something that might be a warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

Question 9

How would you react if a doctor told you that you were dying? How would you feel? What thoughts would go through your head? What would be important to you at this time?

Question 10

Give an example of something the family usually does when someone dies

ADJUSTING TO DEATH Thanatology is the study of dying and death Five stages of psychological adjustments

(Kubler-Ross) that people go through when they know they’re dying:1. Denial2. Anger3. Bargaining with higher spirit4. Depression5. Accept Some stages are never reached

A hospice is a facility designed to care for the special needs of the dying

Home care is available to help make life as normal as possible

Question 11

Why might dying people prefer in-home care over care at a hospital or a hospice?