Sociology of Aging and Social Structures

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Questions and Answers

How does one's social position in social structures influence their lifestyle and life chances?

It influences health, opportunities, and education. (correct)

It has no significant effect.

It only affects age and gender.

It only affects social class.

What is the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood and health in later life?

Good childhood SES is linked to better health outcomes in older age. (correct)

There is no relationship between them.

SES in childhood only affects wealth, not health.

Poor childhood SES can lead to better health in old age.

In terms of gender and age, what disadvantage is most prevalent among older women?

Higher employment rates compared to older men.

Greater involvement in unpaid labor. (correct)

Better financial stability than older men.

Lower rates of health issues.

What contributes to cumulative disadvantages experienced by older women?

Early life experiences and social structures. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'cohort' refer to in the context of social structures and aging?

Everyone born within a specific defined period. Signup and view all the answers

How do ethnicity and race interact with age in terms of social experiences?

They create unique inequalities for racialized individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'generation' in the context of social stratification?

A unique grouping of adjacent birth cohorts with shared experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of aging that is often rooted in social structures?

Health disparities based on early life experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major factor contributing to the fear of crime among older adults?

Their perceived safety often leads to isolation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a preventative measure to enhance safety for older adults?

Avoiding outdoor activities Signup and view all the answers

What major demographic is overrepresented among the homeless population aged 55 and older?

Minorities and veterans Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is most likely to influence the living arrangements of older adults?

Cultural values and economic factors Signup and view all the answers

What role does technology play in the lives of older adults?

It enhances their safety and functional environment Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding transportation for older adults is correct?

Older adults often do not have access to affordable transportation in rural areas Signup and view all the answers

What is a common type of crime that older adults are more likely to experience?

Financial fraud/elder abuse Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true regarding older women compared to older men?

Older women are more likely to live alone Signup and view all the answers

What does aging in place (AIP) primarily promote for older individuals?

Maintaining autonomy in their own home Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of living in a rural community?

Lack of public transit Signup and view all the answers

What term describes older adults living in a home that is too large for their needs?

Overhousing Signup and view all the answers

What problem can arise from gentrification in urban areas?

Increased property taxes for low-income families Signup and view all the answers

How does the ecological model of aging define 'individual competence'?

An individual's physical and cognitive functioning Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT included in the concept of environmental press?

Economic wealth Signup and view all the answers

What defines loneliness?

The feeling of lacking relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of falls for older adults?

Loss of independence Signup and view all the answers

What challenges might prevent successful aging in place (AIP)?

Loss of ability to perform daily tasks Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT associated with increased loneliness among older adults?

Strong social networks Signup and view all the answers

Aging in the Right Place (AIRP) focuses on what primary concern?

Providing secure and optimal housing based on individual needs Signup and view all the answers

How do social networks for older adults typically compare?

They are usually large, kin-centered, and dense Signup and view all the answers

In what way does volunteer participation change for older adults?

They volunteer less but contribute more time Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding falls among older adults?

They can lead to serious injuries such as fractures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between religious participation and aging?

Religious communities provide significant social support Signup and view all the answers

What role does lifelong learning play in social participation for older adults?

It is linked to technological adaptation and health literacy Signup and view all the answers

What describes the trend in travel among older adults?

Retirement has led to increased travel among older women Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the relationship between age and civic engagement?

Older adults are less politically active than younger ones Signup and view all the answers

What typically happens to leisure activity preferences as people age?

They may change based on abilities and health Signup and view all the answers

How does media consumption impact older adults?

It provides indirect contact with the social world Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of supportive living arrangements for older adults?

They combine shelter with services such as meals and personal care. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has NOT contributed to the increased likelihood of older adults remaining in the workforce?

Widespread pension benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant aspect of the 'new retirement' phenomenon?

Some older adults start new businesses or work in short-term contracts. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about long-term care facilities is true?

They are heavily regulated by provincial governments. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to work later in life?

Older adults with higher education and self-employment. Signup and view all the answers

What commonly leads to women having less financial security in later life?

Involvement in caregiving and taking breaks from the workforce. Signup and view all the answers

How has the traditional work pattern shifted since the 1980s?

Job trajectories are less permanent and more complex. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does caregiving often have on women during their work lives?

It typically causes them to leave the workforce temporarily or permanently. Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of the 'sliding' into retirement?

It can lead to negative health effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a common trend among women who retire?

They have less preparation for retirement due to work and family history. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario can lead to an earlier retirement for women?

The retirement of their partner. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of economic insecurities in later life?

Increased risk of living below the poverty line, especially for older women. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of economic security, which aspect is NOT primarily influenced by governmental policies?

Individual employment trajectories. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of a person's pre-retirement income is the Canadian pension system typically designed to replace?

70% Signup and view all the answers

Which component of Canada's retirement support system is funded by tax dollars?

The Allowance Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate percentage of pre-retirement earnings that the CPP/QPP replaces?

25% Signup and view all the answers

What factor is NOT mentioned as influencing the economic status of older Canadians?

Climatic conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key reason for the improvement in income of older Canadians since the 1960s?

Public and private pension reform Signup and view all the answers

What is a common demographic group at highest risk for poverty among older women?

Widowed or divorced women Signup and view all the answers

Which model of healthcare focuses specifically on the biological aspects of health?

Medical model Signup and view all the answers

In which model of healthcare is the individual's social support network emphasized?

Social model Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes health according to the WHO?

Presence of well-being and capacity to perform ADLs Signup and view all the answers

What is one factor not mentioned as influencing health across all ages?

Geographical location Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about poverty rates among older populations is true?

There are fewer older people living below the poverty line today. Signup and view all the answers

Which model aims to promote healthy behaviors in a community setting?

Health Promotion Model Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the Population Health Model?

Identification of health determinants for populations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aging factors into social stratification by ranking individuals based on characteristics like age, gender, ethnicity, and social class.
Age structures are social relations among individuals affecting their lives as they age.
Social position in social structures (age, gender, class) influences life chances & lifestyles (e.g., health, opportunities, education).
Economic inequalities increase over the life course, strongly linked to childhood SES and later life health.
Gender & age intersect to create gendered social processes where women are generally more disadvantaged than men, especially older women. Women are more likely to experience poverty, lower income, and greater responsibilities for unpaid labor.

Cohort analysis: studying the characteristics of a specific birth cohort to study social change and stability.
Generational analysis: comparing adjacent birth cohorts to understand how cohorts maintain continuity in social order.
Lineage effects: examining similarities, differences, and conflicts among generations in an extended family.

Age Grading & Age Norms

Age grading: how chronological age influences social life elements like positions, roles, norms, and relationships.
Age grades define expected rights, behaviours, and responsibilities of an individual at a particular age.

Age Structures - Segregated or Integrated

Moving towards age-integrated societies (more prestige among middle-aged individuals rather than older men).

Structural lag: Policies and programs lag behind the evolving needs of older adults (e.g., employment opportunities for those over 65).
Cohorts and generations age differently and can introduce social change, specifically considering older cohorts' increased involvement in advocating for age-related issues and activism.

The Lived Environment

Public policy accommodates needs of older adults by adjusting built environments (buildings, sidewalks, etc.) to meet older people's needs and be more age-friendly.

Aging in Rural or Remote Communities

Advantages: proximity to food, family, and community.
Disadvantages: lower income opportunities, lack of public transit, and fewer social & health services.

Overhousing

Older adults may live in homes too large for their needs, often because they're attached to their long-term residences.

Gentrification

It is an inner-city revitalization process that raises housing costs and pushes some residents out.

An Ecological Model of Aging

Ecological model explains links between individuals and their environment, specifically considering aging.
Individual competence includes an individual's physical and cognitive functioning.
Environmental press is a wide concept and an assessment of personal and physical environments.

Falls and Injuries

Falls are a leading cause of injuries for older adults, with 20% of falls resulting in serious injuries (e.g., hip fractures).
Risk factors include personal, home, and community issues (e.g., poor lighting, construction).

Private and Public Transportation

Accessible and affordable transportation supports older people's independence and quality of life.
Policies regarding older people's driving licenses are important considerations. Addressing potential issues in rural & remote communities is important.

Technology Use

Mechanical and technological aids improve functional environments for older people (e.g., Zoom calls with doctors).

Homelessness among Older Adults

Increasing numbers of older adults experiencing homelessness (often exacerbated in urban centers).

Living Arrangements in Later Life

Older adults often live with family members or alone, and ethnicity, gender, and immigration status can influence their living arrangements.

Housing Alternatives in Later Life

Housing options vary from independent living to long-term care. Several options exist and can be categorized as age-integrated or age-segregated.

Independent/Supportive Housing

Supportive living combines shelter with services like meals, housecleaning, and personal care, offering a mid-point between independent living and long-term care.

Dependent/Institutional Living

Long-term care facilities are an important option for those with diverse health and mobility needs. This segment is larger in Canada than retirement homes.

Work and Retirement

Baby boomers have experienced economic losses impacting economic security in retirement, causing changes to workforce transition (entry and exit) and meanings of work.
Work trajectories have become less permanent and more complex. This is reflected in intermittent employment and non standard work. Older people are working longer and labor shortages may be influenced by aging demographics.

A Changing and Greying Labour Force

Early retirement trends have reversed, with people working longer. The workforce is increasingly composed of older workers.

Women and Work Histories

Women are more likely to leave the workforce to care for family members or experience other family responsibilities. This creates significant economic gaps in later life.

Retirement

The transition from work to retirement is becoming blurred. Some people continue working in the workforce or in contingent labor.

Sliding into Retirement

Women reach retirement with fewer resources and less preparation than men, leading to poorer economic security.

Economic Security in Later Life

Economic security is achieved through employment trajectories and social programs (e.g., public pensions and social subsidies).

Retirement Income in Canada

The Canadian pension system replaces only about 70% of pre-retirement income, and individual factors like education, work history, and gender significantly influence economic security in later life.

Health

Holistic approach: physical, psychological, and social dimensions of health are essential for comprehensive health.
Acute vs/ Chronic illnesses: Acute illnesses affect people in a shorter timeframe, chronic illnesses are conditions that affect people long term.
Multimorbidity or the presence of multiple chronic conditions is an important health consideration for older adults

Health Promotion Model (HPM)

Focus: prevention and promotion of health for the population/communities, including individual and inter-personal factors.

Models of Healthcare

Medical model focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases, with interventions occurring largely within the clinical setting.
Social model emphasizes the integration of social factors beyond the individual (i.e.: cultural norms, personal relationships, social supports, and community environments) as critical factors in determining an individual's/population's health experience.

Mental Health

Mental health encompasses feelings, thoughts, and behaviors for those with healthy functioning. Mental illness can include significant distress and impaired functioning. Different aspects of mental illness/health can change over the life course and mental health issues differ between men and women, as well as across ethnicities/cultures.

Aging, Wellbeing, & Community

Older people in Canada, especially those with financial and social resources, desire to live independently but have support systems from organizations like community centres; care facilities, and formal and/or informal support systems.

Family Ties, Relationships, & Transitions

Family structures and dynamics are highly varied in today's society. Important issues are the types of relationships (e.g. siblings, couples, parents/children), the size/type of networks, and how interactions between family members change over time. This is a topic related to aging and experiences of different generations, including the complexities and challenges of families of different compositions.

Changing Family & Kinship Structures

Family structures have become more diversified and complex. The types & composition of family relationships differ greatly by race, ethnicity, social class, and geographical conditions.

Marital Status & Marital Relationships

The proportions of married/unmarried individuals/couples in later life differs by gender and other demographic categories. Factors like economic and social factors, lifestyle choices, and living arrangements all impact the diversity of marital experiences in later life.

Loneliness is a subjective feeling of lacking relationships, while social isolation is an objective lack of relationships/social connection. Both are significant determinants of well-being and quality of life for older adults, and important for healthcare professionals to consider.

Social isolation/loneliness and social participation / engagement are significant to consider with aging, and in later life.

Volunteerism, Civic, & Religious Participation

Factors that influence participation in voluntary associations, civic engagement, or religious activities.

Media Consumption

Older people engage with media to stay connected and informed. Media provides opportunities for social connection and support.

Lifelong learning, related to social participation and technological advancements, is critical for older adults.

Travel and Tourism

Travel and tourism opportunities contribute to maintaining health. The reasons and experiences of travelling in later life include motivations, health needs, and social supports.

End of Life

Transitions, caregiving, needs of diverse groups. End of life issues are complex for individuals and their families

Ideal Continuum of Care

Optimal path for older adults who are approaching death. It involves multiple levels of assistance, from informal support to formalized care.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Explore how social positions and socioeconomic status shape lifestyles, health outcomes, and experiences for older adults. This quiz delves into critical issues such as cumulative disadvantages, the impact of ethnicity and race, and the challenges faced by older women within social frameworks.