One of the aspects of gerontology that makes for such interesting studies is the various social theories of aging that pertain to the issues and topics of the aged. Since the earlier days of the discipline at the dawn of the twentieth century up until today, the biomedical study, concentrating on the diseases and the decline of the aged has been a primary focus of gerontology. However, since the 1950’s over a dozen social theories, explaining the changes in social relationships and interactions as people age has been developed. The ideas behind these theories have evolved over time grouping them into categories of first, second and third generation or modern and postmodern (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2011, p. 313). Two theories that emerged in the …show more content…
With the three most pressing issues in gerontology today, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), chronic diseases, and the aging baby boomers, they are best addressed by the theories of the political economy of aging and the life-course …show more content…
One important tenant of the life–course theory is the human agency to make choices (Elder, 1994). When looking at individual life choices, there have been recent discussions whether the choices made through a lifetime have any effect on the development of AD. Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation, President, and Medical Director, Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., has written numerous articles on how diet, nutrition, stress management, along with medicines, and hormones are the four pillars of Alzheimer’s prevention ( Alzheimer 's Research and Prevention Foundation, 2015). Another principle of life-course theory is historical time and place (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2011, p. 325). Both those elders that have developed AD and those at risk of developing the disease live in an unprecedented time in which a “magic bullet” may be on the horizon. While there is still debate on whether lifestyle choices can help to prevent AD, there is a consensus that lifestyle choices do contribute to chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes II, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (Mudd-Martin G, 2013). Matters of culture are also part of the life-course perspective (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2011, p. 324). Our fast-paced western culture that emphasizes
Takamura, J.C. (1999). Getting ready for the 21st Century: The aging of America and the older
With healthcare in the United States advancing so rapidly, there are new ways to treat just about any kind of illness every day. With being able to treat illnesses in new ways, and also the advancement of medical equipment, comes the possibility of a lot more people living up into their 90’s, and maybe even getting to reach 100. The aging population, which keeps growing every so rapidly, will be using up a lot more sources as the years go by. This means, that we need to educate more doctors and nurses, etc., and also make more living facilities for older adults. The question that comes up in my mind, is when is “old” actually”. Most people stereotypically consider ages 75 and older old, but that doesn’t mean they are actually “old”, does it?
Hiller, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2011). Aging, the individual, and society. (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Prominent musician, Celine Dion, once said, “There’s no such thing is aging, but maturing and knowledge. It’s beautiful, I call that beauty.” To many, growing old is just a natural, beautiful part of life. It is inevitable. It is inescapable. The functionalist perspective of sociology states that the elderly perform a function in order to keep society running with ease. Functionalists focus on the disengagement theory and how people tend to disengage from society as they approach death. Symbolic interactionists focus on how environmental factors and relationships with others affect the aging experience, focusing on the activity theory and the continuity theory (Carl, 2011, p. 220). Conflict theorists focus on the discrepancies that arise between different age groups. They also focus on the economical side of aging and the issues that may arise due to an active elderly population (Carl, 2011, p. 221).
Aging is universal and it is a process that everyone has to go through. The only difference is that everyone goes through this process at their own pace influenced by factors that will be discussed later on in this paper. When we think about factors that have an influence on older adults and how their life may be affected, we must consider the different social institutions while analyzing influences from social factors, cultural factors, and personal values. Abuse to older adults, stereotyping and informal care and technological advancements that affect older adults are the three topics that will be discussed in this reflection. Furthermore, will connect the three topics I have chosen to the knowledge that I have gained from my interaction
Hooyman, N., & Kiyak, H. A. (2011). Social gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective (9th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. (Original work published 2005)
In today’s society, what was once said to be true and taken as fact regarding older people is no longer the whole story. As Laslett states, “At all times before the middle of the twentieth century and all over the globe the greater part of human life potential has been wasted, by people dying before their allotted time was up.” (1989a), and to a great extent a lot
Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...
Atchley, R. C. (1997). Social forces and aging: An introduction to social gerontology (8th ed.).
Every era has its disease; the one debilitating killer that each individual grows up to fear and detest more than War or poverty or depression. In the sixteenth century the Black Plague swept Europe, and later Syphilis destroyed much of the New World. More recently Polio was what each mother feared would over take her child. However, each of these diseases had its own time and place, and each has all but disappeared by cure or public awareness. Unfortunately, as each disease passes away a new killer moves up through the ranks to strike fear in humanity, young and old. Currently, the United Statesí population is aging, with people over eighty-five becoming the nations fastest growing age group">(2).It should come as no surprise that the disease of the new millennium should be a disease of the elderly: Alzheimerís Disease. Effecting half the Americans over the age of eighty Alzheimerís Disease has left its victims in a world of confused dementia, and the rest of the world in a panic to find a cure">(2).
...hed and streamlined to allow for earlier diagnosis. In the case of tertiary prevention, the pharmaceutical companies have a huge financial incentive to create a cure for Alzheimer’s but that is not enough. More government funded research should be dedicated towards finding methods to delay or cure Alzheimer’s disease. The baby boomer generation has already entered their 60’s. As people live longer, as a result of new treatments for common killers such as heart disease and cancer, the chances that they will succumb to Alzheimer’s increases. Failing to find preventative or curative measures will be costly. On a personal level, Alzheimer’s disease slowly attacks cognitive function-the higher thought processes; individuals degenerate into infantile dependents. The cost of caring for increasing numbers of such dependents will be a burden on both family and society.
Ageing is something that everyone will eventually experience if they are fortunate to live a long life. The process of ageing comes with various negative and positive outlooks. In western culture, ageing for both genders is particularly condemned. In the media in particular, the process of ageing for men and women vary greatly. Where, women are condemned for ageing more than men are. Media greatly highlights on the stereotypical notion of ageing especially in the aspect of portraying men and women and their social roles through advertisement. I will be discussing
Many countries globally are faced with unprecedented demographic changes from high mortality and fertility to low mortality and fertility, giving rise to an ageing population. Population ageing is profound and enduring, and has major consequences and implications for all facets of human life. With a larger proportion of older people, one of the major concerns is health and health care. The health of older persons generally declines with age and some illness are more likely to be associated with older people. One of such illness is dementia. As the life expectancies of the general population have dramatically increased since the turn of the century, more and more people are at risk of developing a dementia (National Institute of Aging, 2000).
Theories concerned with ageing are constructed in an attempt to objectively satisfy the inquiries that arise after studying ageing and to provide evidence based clarifications. In the context of this essay, they allow troubleshooting regarding issues around the type of support would be expected to be needed by Betty and her son. Bengtson et al, (1999) accepts the potential pragmatism of the theories nevertheless he argues that they can be generalised and unimaginative. The controversy regarding theorising ageing becomes especially relevant when they are applied in isolation failing to address that “the science and positivism are severely limiting… for understanding aspects of ageing.” Bengtson et al (1999)
Uhlenberg, Peter. 1992. “Population Aging and Social Policy.” Annual Review, Sociology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.