Caring for the Elderly

…..generally begins at the age of

60

People in this age group are called…

…..Senior Citizens
According to the World Health Organization….
….there are almost
700 million people over the age 60
living in the world today.

…among those 13% are over

80 years old.

…it is expected that by 2050

this number will be almost
2 billion and
the number of elderly will be
higher than the number of children
In the Philippines….
According to the
National Statistics Office,
the total number of Senior Citizens
(60 years old and above) is 4,565,560 as of 2009

….this number comprises 5.97% of the total Philippine

population.
More Statistics…
At this time elderly population is growing by
800,0000 a month
Did you know that…
China has the most number of elderly in the world…
…..about 88 million
What are the Elderly Like?
Physical
visual and hearing problems
smell and taste losses
susceptibility to illnesses

Leading Cause of
Death

heart diseases
pneumonia
cancer
What are the Elderly Like?
Cognitive
decline in mental processes – may
experience memory lapses or
disorientation.

Spotlight on:
ALZHEIMER’s Disease
…is a progressive irreversible brain disorder that is
characterized by gradual deterioration of memory,
reasoning, language and physical functioning.

..WHO reports as of 2009 that almost 35 million elderly

suffers from this kind of disease.
What are the Elderly Like?

Spotlight on:
ALZHEIMER’s Disease
… this disease has no cure and the cause is unknown, as
such people do not know how to prevent it although some
doctors reported that it could be alleviated with some form
of diet and memory training games.

Alzheimer’s is a sad disease – the elderly cannot

remember the people and place in their lives. They need
consistent care because they could walk away or get lost
…
What are the Elderly Like?
Social
because of their declining health and limited
mobility, most elderly have the tendency to
withdraw from the society – spending most of
their time looking back – reflecting on what they
have made out of their lives.

Social Theories of Aging

Disengagement Theory
Activity Theory
Social breakdown Reconstruction Theory
What are the Elderly Like?

Social Theories of Aging

Disengagement Theory – as older adults slow
down, they gradually withdraw from the society.

Disengagement is a mutual activity in which the

elderly not only disengaged in the society, but the
society disengages from the older adult.

The elderly develops greater self-preoccupation

and decrease emotional ties with people and
reduced interest in social activities. Such social
withdrawal and increased self-absorption was
thought to increase life satisfaction among them.
What are the Elderly Like?

Social Theories of Aging

Activity Theory– as opposed to the disengagement
theory, this theory argues that the more active and
involved the elderly are, the more likely that they are
satisfied with their lives.

It is therefore important to find substitute activities for

them after their retirement.
What are the Elderly Like?

Social Theories of Aging

Social Breakdown -Reconstruction
Theory

This theory states that aging is promoted through

negative psychological functioning brought about by
the negative views of the society about elderly and
inadequate provision of services for them.

Social reconstruction can occur by changing the

society’s view of the elderly and by providing
adequate social services for them.
What are the Elderly Like?
Society views elderly as Society develops label for the
incompetent; obsolete elderly: useless; ineffective; helpless

Society provides inadequate support services, and funds

for the elderly.

Elderly’s skills deteriorate

Elderly labels self as

incompetent
What are the Elderly Like?
Society develops positive label for
Society views elderly as the elderly: helpers; self-controlled;
competent; important wise; competent

Society provides support systems for the elderly: family

support; housing; health services; economics; nutrition
and social services.

Elderly’s skills improve

Elderly labels self as

competent
Issues Facing the Elderly

ABUSE

•It can happen in the family

•It can happen in nursing homes
•It could be physical or psychological (like verbal
abuse) – when they are named called or threatened,
or taken advantage because of their memory
problems.

•One form is NEGLECT! When people who are

suppose to care for them ignore their needs and
concerns
Issues Facing the Elderly
ABUSE

“Having someone else look

after aging parents is a
tough decision to make, and
is made even tougher by
fact that one of four nursing
homes has been blamed for
the death or serious injury
to a resident each year,
according to government
figures.”
Issues Facing the Elderly
LONELINESS
•Death of a husband or wife and many friends.
•
•Children are busy with work and may not even come
to visit them. Grandchildren are busy with school.

•Physically weak elderly may feel that they are

burden so they try to stay away even if people are
around.

•Loneliness leads to depression – they feel alone and

unproductive.
Issues Facing the Elderly
POVERTY

•They cannot earn anymore and they do not have

money.

•May receive retirement pension but may not also be

enough because of their increasing medical needs.

•As such many even try to continue working even

after reaching the retirement age.
Issues Facing the Elderly
HEALTH

•diminished sensory and motor abilities

•tendency to acquire various illnesses such as heart

disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, etc.
Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION

•Job discrimination – employers

prefer younger applicants because

….inexperienced workers have cheaper salaries

…employers believe that the elders could only stay in

work for a short time because of their declining
physical condition

….elderly are thought of as slower and less capable.

Issues Facing the Elderly
DISCRIMINATION

•Social discrimination – maybe excluded from family

or community services because they are seen as
incapable.

Medical Discrimination - Some doctors treat them

without much care because they think they don’t
deserve such because they are already old.