ch. 15 Flashcards
Activities in Late Adulthood
Work
The psychological benefits of work can be obtained through volunteer work.
Work provides social support and status, boosting self-esteem.
For many people, employment allows generativity.
*contrary to long held beliefs, recent research has found that most older adults want to stop working as soon as they are eligible to do so. Since 1980, the average age of retirement has decreased.
retirement
Some employees over age 65 stay on the job for social recognition and self-fulfillment of work.
Believed that retirement led to illness and death
Besides needing the money, some employees over age 65 stay on the job because they appreciate the social recognition and self-fulfillment of work.
It was once believed that older adults were healthier and happier when they were employed than when they were unemployed and that retirement led to illness and death.
Only when retirement is precipitated by poor health or fading competence does it correlate with illness.
Home Sweet Home
One of the favorite activities of many retirees is caring for their own homes.
Aging in place
Remaining in the same home and community in later life, adjusting but not leaving when health fades.
Religious Involvement
-Older adults are less likely to attend religious services than are the middle-aged.
-Yet, faith increases with age, as do praying and other religious practices.
-Religious institutions fulfill many needs, and a nearby house of worship is one reason American elders prefer to age in place.
Marriage
Marriage
56% of U.S. adults over 65 are married
Retirement alters a couple’s lifestyle
Marriage
56% of U.S. adults over 65 are married
Marital satisfaction is greater in older adults than middle-aged adults
Retirement alters a couple’s lifestyle
Greatest changes occur in the traditional family
Older adults who are married or partnered are usually happier and live longer than those who are single
Marital satisfaction is often greater for men than women
Divorced and Separated Older Adults:
Divorced and Separated Older Adults:
Represent only 8% of older adults
Remarriage is Increasing
Divorce rates & increased longevity
Cohabiting Older Adults
Cohabiting Older Adults
3% of older adults cohabit
More for companionship than for love
Health of cohabiting couples does not differ from the health of married couples
older adult parents
About 80% of older adults have living children, many of whom are middle-aged
Gender affects relationships between older adults and their children
Relationships between adult children and aging parents can be both positive and negative
Grandparenthood
75% of people aged 65+ are grandparents
-Interaction usually very enjoyable
-Usually a stress-free relationship
Median age 42-45; other studies say average 47
*First grandchild on average is around age 50
Styles of Grandparenting
Formal:
Proper / prescribed role
Strong interest in their grandchildren
No parenting
Fun-Seeker:
Informal
Playful
Mutually satisfying
Source of leisure activities
Surrogate parent:
Major child-care responsibilities
% Kids under 18 living with grandparent (with or w/o parent)
5% All; 4% Whites; 6% Latinos; 12% African Americans
-mom is at work
Reservoir of family wisdom:
Advice/knowledge
Family history
Distant:
Emotionally distant
Contact on holidays and birthdays
What Determines Frequency of Contact?
Geographic proximity: closer = more contact
Age/Health of grandparents
Number of sets of grandchildren=if many sets, less contact with any 1 set
Lineage=more contact with maternal grandparents than paternal
Grandmother vs. Grandfather: more contact with grandmothers
Marital status of grandfather=if widowed, divorce/separated then contact is ½ as much
Relationship between grandparent & adult child
What Determines Frequency of Contact? pt.2
Grandmother vs. Grandfather: more contact with grandmothers
Marital status of grandfather=if widowed, divorce/separated then contact is ½ as much
Relationship between grandparent & adult child
Relationship b/w grandparent & parent
The closer the relationship, the closer the contact
Relationship b/w grandparent & grandchild
The closer the relationship, the closer the contact
