Eldercare 21

1
Eldercare 2-1

• Aging and Adult Development

2
Aging

• Researchers in many fields study aging
• Gerontology involves information from biology,
  economics, family and consumer sciences, law,
  medicine, mental health, political science, and
  sociology
• Sociology
• Geriatrics
• Researchers in these fields look for ways to
  improve the quality of life for older adults
• Larger numbers of the population are entering
  older adulthood
• Demand for more caregivers is growing

3
Myths and Stereotypes about Aging

• Children often get their first insights into
  aging from myths and stereotypes in jokes and
  stories
• Nursery rhymes forgetful old man or little
  old lady who lived in a shoe
• As children grow older they hear phrases like
  over the hill or past your prime
• Some children do not live near their grandparents
  and do not have contact with older adults
• Myths and stereotypes become the basis of these
  childrens ideas

4

• Studying aging when you are young puts you at an
  advantage
• You will learn that some adults are sick,
  mentally slow, or physically weak
• Other adults live full and active lives
• You will learn the facts about growing older
• You will learn that a persons lifestyle choices
  influence the quality of life and length of the
  lifespan
• You will understand the environmental and medical
  care factors affecting how long people live (ex.
  Immunizations and health screenings are crucial
  for longevity)
• 50 of longevity is linked to a persons
  lifestyle choices
• 20 is heredity
• 30 is linked to environmental factors

5
Activity

• You are to create a visual aid comparing/defining
  the 4 types of aging. Use the paper and markers
  provided. (page 51-52)

6
Adult Development

• Researchers became interested in studying adults
  in the mid 1900s
• They wanted to find out why people began living
  longer and society began to change
• 3 key researchers Erikson, Levinson, and Gould

7
Erik Erikson

• Self-esteem and identity are results of how well
  people deal with lifes challenges during various
  stages of development
• Defined 8 stages in life
• First 5 stages deal with birth through age 21
• Last 3 deal with adult development
• His stages describe a battle between 2 forces if
  the person has a positive end to the conflict, he
  or she makes an easier transition to the next
  stage of development

8

• Intimacy vs. Isolation (age 19-40)
• Develop close relationships with other people
• If not, become isolated and alone may not
  experience love
• Positive end love
• Generativity vs. Stagnation (age 40-65)
• People want to find vocations where they can help
  others or contribute to society
• If this does not happen, people become
  self-absorbed or does not move ahead
• Positive end caring
• Ego-Integrity vs. Despair (age 65 to death)
• Review their lives and gain a sense of
  accomplishment and fulfillment
• If this does not happen, people may become
  depressed or preoccupied with death
• Positive end wisdom

9
Daniel J. Levinson

• Studied the adult population to late adulthood
• Theory describes how adults build and change
  their lives during adulthood
• Stable times life structure is solid
• Some people see flaws and want change
  transition period
• Transition can last up to 5 years and may develop
  into a time of crisis

10

• Early Adulthood Transition (ages 17-22)
• When a person begins exploring adult-like
  commitments
• Early Adulthood (ages 22-40)
• Most stable phase of adulthood lasts 6 years
• Around age 28, people want to look ahead and make
  changes in their lives
• By age 33, people settle down, and begin think
  about a family or advances in their careers
• Midlife Transition (ages 40-45)
• People question their accomplishments and assess
  life satisfaction
• Some people have a life crisis during these years
• Middle Adulthood (ages 45-60)
• Usually more satisfying and productive than any
  other time in life
• Some people re-evaluate their lives at 50 and
  make changes
• Usually very stable
• Late Adult Transition (ages 60-65)
• Consider retirement some look forward to it and
  others feel as if they will be bored and
  unproductive
• Late Adulthood (ages 65 and beyond)
• People were not actually studied in this age
  group

11
Roger Gould

• Looks at adulthood as a time of constant change
  with no stable emotions and motivation
• Each of lifes challenges gives people more
  chances to grow and move through to mature
  adulthood
• People must solve their problems on a daily basis
  and try new approaches to stay mentally healthy
  face fears, prejudices, and bad habits

12

• Late Adolescence (ages 16-22)
• Time of uncertainty
• Form own identity
• Young Adulthood (ages 22 to 28)
• People feel empowered to set personal goals
• Adulthood (ages 28-34)
• People rethink their goals and life commitments
  and make their finances more stable
• Midlife Transition (ages 35-43)
• May question what they value period of turmoil
  and personal discomfort
• Middle Adulthood (ages 43-50)
• Time of stability marital satisfaction, friend
  are important, money seems less important