scholarly journals OLD AGE AND THE AGEING INDIVIDUAL: SOCIAL AND LINGUISTIC ASPECTS

2018 ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
Snizhana Holyk
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Cultural Contexts ◽  
New Meanings ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Positive Light

The article addresses the issues of representation of old age and the ageing individual in the discourse of sociology. The topicality of such works is quite obvious, since with the increase in life expectancy, many academic studies have focused on old age and its new meanings in societies from different perspectives. This predetermines the need for the interdisciplinary analysis of old age and the ageing self. Also, this study closely examines vocabulary units that are used to designate an older person in English. The material for the analysis has been selected from present-day lexicographical sources. We conducted a qualitative study using the analysis of dictionary definitions and defined attitudes and perceptions of ageing and older adults as encoded in language units. The research highlights that as a socio-cultural product, language is influenced by two views on ageing: successful ageing, ignoring the physical dimensions, and that of decline, creating negative stereotypes of ageing, associated with weakening, diseases and dependence of the person. The paper addresses the above questions from the perspective of linguistic ageism, manifested in vocabulary units describing older people as silly, incompetent, eccentric, with outmoded fixed ideas, attitudes or tastes. Viewed in a positive light, ageing individuals are represented in language as experienced people, with wisdom and respect, when old age means transformation and continued self-fulfilment, rather than decline. The findings of the analysis provide implications or further studies of old age in different discourses that will contribute to a deeper understanding of the notion old age in its social and cultural contexts, as well as the concept OLD AGE in general.

Successful ageing and ageism

2021 ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Liat Ayalon
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Negative Stereotypes

The concept of successful ageing has instigated the imagination of laypeople, policy stakeholders, and researchers because it offers an alternative to gloomy stereotypes of decline, disability, and dependence commonly associated with old age. Successful ageing proposes an opportunity to transition smoothly from middle-life into old age, with none of the negative stereotypes commonly associated with old age. However, this opportunity comes at a price. This chapter aims to describe and illustrate the ageist features inherited in the concept of successful ageing and its negative, unintended consequences on older people and society at large. The chapter also describes how other- and self-directed ageism may prevent people from ageing successfully. Recommendations for concept refinement and policy are discussed.

scholarly journals A multi-dimensional perspective on the gender gap in health among older adults in India and China: application of a new ageing measure

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Arun Balachandran ◽  
K. S. James
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
General Health ◽  
One Dimension ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Health Dimension ◽  
India And China

Abstract A continuous rise of female life expectancy above that of males among older adults in India and China may give the impression that the relative gender gap in health in these countries is decreasing. However, given the systemic gender bias against older females in these countries across multiple dimensions of health, a fuller understanding of the gender gap in health calls for a multi-dimensional perspective. We estimate a multi-dimensional old-age threshold (MOAT) that specifies different old-age thresholds for female and male populations which accommodates multiple dimensions related to physical, intellectual and general health. We use the MOAT to evaluate the multi-dimensional gender gap in India and China by differencing the MOAT for females with that of males. Females in both countries have a lower MOAT than their male counterparts, indicating an earlier advent of ‘old age’ for females. The multi-dimensional estimates of the gender gap are also higher than the estimates based on only one dimension of health. A considerable level of variation is also observed in the gender gap across provinces. The study illustrates the need to understand the gender gap in health in India and China from a multi-dimensional perspective and provides an innovative way to quantify such a gap. Province-specific as well as health dimension-specific interventions are vital in reducing the gender gap among older adults in these countries.

Health, social support, resilience and successful ageing among older Chilean adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 002087281990114
Author(s):  
Lorena P Gallardo-Peralta ◽  
Cecilia Mayorga Muñoz ◽  
Abel Soto Higuera
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychosocial Variables ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Cultural Contexts

The promotion of successful ageing (SA) has become a strategy. But there has been little examination of the dimensions that are associated with SA from an integrative perspective that takes into account potential particularities among indigenous older adults. This study explores the predictors of SA for a sample of 800 older Chilean adults. The results show that demographic, health and psychosocial variables are associated with SA, with resilience being of particular note. The findings of this study underline the importance of assessing SA, using multidimensional approaches and emphasising heterogeneity and the particularities of indigenous cultural contexts.

scholarly journals Geographic variation in gender gap among older adults in India and China: Application of a new ageing measure

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 870-871
Author(s):  
Arun Balachandran ◽  
Feinian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Remaining Life ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Remaining Life Expectancy ◽  
Almost All ◽  
India And China

Abstract A continuous rise in the life expectancy of females above that of the males among older adults in India and China may give an impression that the gender gap in health is decreasing. However, given the systemic bias against females in these countries across multiple facets, and the diversity across provinces, a fuller understanding of gender gap calls for (a) understanding the gender gap in multiple dimensions of health, and (b) understanding the variations across provinces. We estimate a multi-dimensional old-age threshold (MOAT) across provinces in India and China, that specifies different old-age thresholds for female and male populations after simultaneously accommodating for multiple dimensions related to their health. These aspects of health include remaining life expectancy, intellectual and functional health. We estimate the gender gap across provinces in these countries by differencing the MOAT of males against that of females. In addition, we also illustrate the gender gap across individual dimensions of health. Our results show that females in almost all the provinces of India and China have a lower MOAT than their male counterparts, showing an earlier advent of ‘old-age’ among females compared to males. The estimates based on remaining life expectancy shows gender gap in favor of females, but the estimates of multi-dimensional gender gap are higher and biased against females. A huge variation is seen across provinces, with Karnataka and Hubei showing lower levels of gender gap and Rajasthan and Yunnan showing higher gender gaps in India in China respectively.

The use of mature models in advertisements and its contribution to the spirituality of older consumers

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 721-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Chevalier ◽  
Gaelle Moal-Ulvoas
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Consumer Behavior ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Marketing Practice ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Older Consumers ◽  
Spiritual Dimension

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the reaction to the use of senior models in ads by older consumers while taking into account their spiritual dimension in the context of ageing. Design/methodology/approach This research relies on a qualitative approach and the narrative analysis of 40 transcribed interviews with older adults of age 50-83. Findings Interviews with senior respondents confirm that ageing is a challenging individual process in the context of which spiritual needs emerge. Taking these needs into account helps understand the reaction of older consumers to the use of senior models in ads. It also reveals the potential of this marketing practice to respond to spiritual needs in the context of ageing. Research limitations/implications This paper contributes to the understanding of older consumers’ reaction to the senior models they see in ads. It reveals the necessity to take spiritual needs into account to fully understand consumer behavior at old age. This paper contributes to the understanding of older consumers’ reaction to the senior models they see in ads. It reveals the necessity to take spiritual needs into account to fully understand consumer behavior at old age. Practical implications This paper provides practical guidance to advertising professionals on the use of senior models in ads. Social implications This research reveals that the adequate representation of older models in advertisements can help fight the negative stereotypes associated with ageing and contributes to highlighting the major role played by older adults in society. Originality/value This research is the first to investigate the relationship of older consumers to the senior models used in advertisements while taking into account their spiritual dimension. It extends the existing research on older consumers and advertising, especially their perception of senior models.

scholarly journals Family therapy with elderly people

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M. Benbow ◽  
Alison Marriott
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Family Therapy ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Older Person ◽  
Old Age Psychiatry

Those who work with older adults will inevitably find themselves working with families. Indeed assessment of an older person is often difficult if members of their family and social network are not involved. Referrals to social and psychiatric services are often precipitated by family changes. Ratna & Davis (1984) described 142 consecutive referrals to a community old age psychiatry service and found retirement, family conflict, departure of or illness of a carer, or bereavement precipitated 60% of referrals. Thus, work with older adults will often necessitate work with families, although it may not be seen in those terms.

scholarly journals A call for a new positive psychiatry of ageing

2013 ◽  
Vol 202 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilip V. Jeste ◽  
Barton W. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Geriatric Psychiatry ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
New Model ◽  
Old Age Psychiatry ◽  
Growing Population

SummaryWe propose a new model for geriatric psychiatry to help meet the needs of a rapidly growing population of older adults. This positive old age psychiatry would focus on recovery, promotion of successful ageing, neuroplasticity, prevention, and interventions to enhance positive psychological traits such as resilience, social engagement and wisdom.

scholarly journals Older workers imagining retirement: the collapse of agency, or freedom at last?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Anne Skevik Grødem ◽  
Ragni Hege Kitterød
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
Active Engagement ◽  
Work Patterns ◽  
Ideal Types ◽  
Retirement Decisions ◽  
The Ideal

Abstract Images of what retirement is and ought to be are changing. Older workers are being encouraged to work for longer, at the same time, older adults increasingly voice expectations of a ‘third age’ of active engagement and new life prospects. In this article, we draw on the literature on older workers’ work patterns and retirement transitions (noting push/pull/stay/stuck/jump factors), and on scholarship on the changing social meaning of old age, most importantly the notions of a ‘third’ and ‘fourth’ age. The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with 28 employees in the private sector in Norway, aged between 55 and 66 years. Based on the interviews, we propose three ideal-typical approaches to the work–retirement transition: ‘the logic of deadline’, ‘the logic of negotiation’ and ‘the logic of averting retirement’. The ideal-types are defined by the degree to which informants assume agency in the workplace, their orientation towards work versus retirement and the degree to which they expect to exercise agency in retirement. We emphasise how retirement decisions are informed by notions of the meaning of ageing, while also embedded in relationships with employers and partners.

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