Chapter 17

Chapter 17 starts off explaining how the older population has been increasing steadily since 1990. It is stated that while the number of older Americans has increased, the proportion of younger people have decreased. The book defines the term gerontologists as scientists who study the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Centenarians are people who are 100 years old or older. The chapter then defines the term the old-age dependency ratio as the number of people age 65 and older that are not in the labor force per 100 people’s ages 20 to 64 who are employed. Reflecting changes in the U.S. society over the past several decades, America’s older population is more racially and ethnically diverse than ever before. The term later-life-families can be defined as families that are beyond the child-rearing years who have launched their children, or childfree families that are beginning to plan for retirement. This chapter talks about mental health and some mental diseases. The term dementia is defined as the loss of mental abilities that most commonly occur late in life. Alzheimer’s disease is defined as a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain and impairs memory, thinking and behavior. The chapter then goes into discussion about ageism and stereotypes. Ageism refers to the discrimination against people on the basis of age, particularity against older people. The chapter then shifts gears to discuss work and retirement. It defines retirement as the exist from the paid labor forces. Social Security is defined as a public retirement pension system administered by the federal government, providing income to more than 90 percent of older Americans. This chapter also talks about the fives grandparenting styles. These styles are: Remote or Detached, Companionate and Supportive, Involved and Influential, Advisory and Authoritative, and Cultural Transmitters. The chapter then shifts to talk about Sibling Relationships later in life. Sibling relationships later in life generally fall into five groups: Intimate siblings, congenial siblings, loyal siblings, apathetic siblings, and hostile siblings. The chapter then shifts gears to talking about coping with death. Bereavement is the process of recovery after the death of someone we felt close to. Grief is the emotional response to loss,while mourning is the customary outward expression of grief. The chapter discusses being widowed and single in later life. The chapter also discusses the issue if our society provides too much treatment to older people.

I found the section that talked about Alzheimer’s disease to be very interesting. I learned that people age 65 and older are nine times more likely to die of heart disease than of Alzheimer’s. I also learned that the patients live an average of 10 years after the illness is diagnosed. I found this to be very interesting to read because I don’t know anyone who has had Alzheimer’s so it is interesting to learn something new.

The question that I have for the class is do you think children who are raised by their grandparents miss out on certain things in life? Why or why not?

Maria Nicholas