Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

CHAPTER 1: THE GROWTH OF

SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY

The Field of Gerontology

Gerontology the field of study that

focuses on understanding the biological, psychological, social, and political factors that influence people’s lives

Geriatrics clinical study and

treatment of older people and the diseases that affect them

Four Processes of Aging

Chronological Aging

Biological Aging

Psychological Aging

Social Aging

What is Aging?

Aging Changes that occur to an organism during its

life span, from development to maturation to senescence

Intragenerational Diversity Young-Old (ages 65-74) Old-Old (ages 75-84) Oldest-Old (ages 85 and older)

An Active Aging Framework

Active aging Emphasis on autonomy/choice with

aging A model of viewing aging as a positive

experience of continued growth and participation in family, community, and societal activities, regardless of physical and cognitive decline

Person-Environment Perspectiveon Social Gerontology

A model that suggests that the environment is not a static backdrop, but changes continually as the elder takes from it what he/she needs, controls what can be modified, and adjusts to conditions that cannot be changed

Growth of the Older Population

Changes in Life Expectancy Females born in 2005 are expected to reach

80.4 years Males born in 2005 are expected to reach 75.2

years Even in 2050, male life expectancy will be less

than 80 years; females will achieve 84.3 years

Number of Men per 100 Women by Age: 2004

Source: U. S. Census Bureau, 2006a.

Growth of the Older Population

The Oldest-Old (Ages 85 and older) Grows more rapidly than any other age

group in the U.S. 2005: 36.8 million > age 65 Centenarians (Age 100 and older) 1 in 26 Americans can expect to live to 100

by 2025, compared with only 1 in 500 in 2000

Percentage of Older Americans by Age Group

Population Trends

Ethnic Minorities

Geographic Distribution

Educational and Economic Status

Impact of Demographic Trends

Source: National Projections Program, Population Division, U. S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233

Source: National Projections Program, Population Division, U. S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233

How Aging and Older Adults are Studied

Research Methods Age/Period/Cohort Problem Cross-sectional Longitudinal studies Sequential designs Representative samples