self theories
theories of late adulthood that emphasize the core self, or the search to maintain one's integrity and identity
compulsive hoarding
the urge to accumulate and hold onto familiar objects and possessions, sometimes to the point of their becoming health and/or safety hazards. The impulse tends to increase with age
positivity effect
the tendency for elderly people to perceive. prefer, and remember positive images and experiences more than negative ones
stratification theories
theories that emphasize that social forces, particularly those related to a person's social stratum or social category, limit individual choices and affect a person's ability to function in late adulthood because past stratification continues to limit lif
disengagement theory
the view that aging makes a person's social sphere increasingly narrow, resulting in role relinquishment, withdrawal, and passivity
activity theory
the view that elderly people want and need to remain active in a variety of social spheres--with relative, friends, and community groups--and become withdrawn only unwillingly, as a result of ageism
activities in late adulthood
-paid work
-volunteer work
age in place
remaining in the same home and community in later life, adjusting but not leaving when health fades
NORC (naturally occurring retirement community)
a neighborhood or apartment complex whose population is mostly retired people who moved to the location as younger adults and never left
AARP
a US organization of people 50 and older that advocate for the elderly. It was originally called the American Association of Retired Persons, but now only its initials are used, since members need not be retired
filial responsibility theory
the theory that there is the obligation of adult children to care for their aging parents
types of grandparents
-remote grandparents
-companionate grandparents
-involved grandparents
-surrogate parents
remote grandparents
grandparents who are emotionally distant from their grandchildren. They are esteemed elders who are honored, respected, and obeyed, expecting to get help whenever they need it
companionate grandparents
AKA fun-loving grandparents
grandparents that entertain and "spoil" their grandchildren--especially in ways, or for reasons, that the parents would not.
involved grandparents
grandparents who are active in the day-to-day lives of their grandchildren. They live near them and see them daily
surrogate parents
grandparents that raise their grandchildren, usually because the parents are unable or unwilling to do so.
frail elderly
people older than 65, and often older than 85, who are physically infirm, very ill, or cognitively disabled
ADL (Activities of daily life)
typically identified as five tasks of self-care that are important to independent living: eating, bathing. toileting, dressing, and transferring from a bed to a chair. The inability to perform any of these tasks is a sign of frailty
IADLs (instrumental activities of daily life)
actions (eg. budgeting and preparing food) that are important to independent living and that require some intellectual competence and forethought. The ability to perform these tasks may be even more critical to self-sufficiency than ADL ability.
assisted living
a living arrangement for elderly people that combines privacy and independent with medical supervision