Textbook Chapter 1 Questions Flashcards
Recall at least two myths about aging and present two facts that refute each of those myths
Myth: People feel lost in retirement. They often get sick and die shortly after they retire
- They participate in activities like acting, dancing and singing to keep them intouch
- People find themselves volunteering more in the community
Myth: Older people often commit suicide and have the highest suicide rate in Canada
- They have the lowest suicide rate
- Older people tend to succeed in suicide attempts compared to younger individuals
How do prejudice and discrimination affect older people?
People hold prejudices due to the many negative stereotypes about old age. Sometimes it involves stereotypes that demean the individual, making an assumption about the their personality and actions only based on thier age.
Discrimination affects how the individual responds to a situation through their action. An example of this is when people use elderspeak with older people, talking down to them and using simpler terms to speak to them.
Give an example of how discrimination leads to poor healthcare treatment of older people
An example of this is when doctors tend to underestimate the older person’s concerns and writes it off as to them “being old.” This however could be a detrimental mistake giving that older individuals health is not the greatest in terms of recovery, and a simple mistake like this may lead to someone’s death.
Compared with how they might treat a younger patient, why might some doctors treat an older patient’s illness less aggressively?
This is due to older individuals tend to have more common health issues that come and go all the time. A doctors assumption about the individual may be based on this fact, as doctors would sometimes assume that the current medical issue is simply something that’s normal to the individual, when in fact may be life-threatening.
What is elderspeak?
When individuals talk down to older people, using a slower tone, simpler language and doesn’t take into consideration of their intelligence
What is ageism?
Discrimination against an individual due to their age
What are some sources of ageism?
Sources of ageism include making jokes about someones age, simple statements about older people being bad drivers or are slow for example
What are some of the benefits of being a senior in Canada?
-Guaranteed incomes
-Subsized housing
- Free medical care
Reduced rates on buses and at hotels and car rentals
Give an example from the research of how ageism leads to discrimination in the job market?
Jobs perceive older individuals as being less competent to complete work or that they may be slower at the job then someone younger.
Give an example of how a company or service has adapted its products or service to attract older consumers
Companies use ads that cater towards a older population
Describe the difference between life in the Third Age and in the Forth Age
Third age is where older individuals don’t feel “old.” The individual attempts to hold onto any relative youthfulness they may have
Forth age is the typically what we see in media when older people are presented. This is where individuals tend to relax and are unable to do much for themselves due to age and health decline.
Describe the general pattern of intergenerational relations in Canada
The relationships between younger and older individuals these days often show that the older person tends to be mostly independent from the care of the younger individual. They often can take care of themselves as opposed to how it was many years ago. This is the truth unless the older individual is unable to take care of themselves due to declining health
Support the position that older people deserve their government benefits
Older individuals deserve their benefits because it promotes the individual to continue taking care of themselves and continue their independence for as long as possible. This also will take the pressure off retirement and care communities, given their low staff availability.
Explain the Canadian government’s view of intergenerational relations
The Canadian government aims to eliminate ageism, however, it’s up to the people more then the government itself.
What are the two points of views in social gerontology?
- How does personal aging affect the individual?
- How will a population aging change the society?
