Old Age

• Stereotypes of Old Age - Death, loss of mobility, loss of hearing, being slower, wiser, ill health, vulnerable, weak, unable, fragile.
• Positive Aspects of Old Age:

  • Greater sense of acceptance of self
  • Greater sense of acceptance of others
  • Life experiences that help us make smart decisions
  • More gratitude
  • Less allergies
  • Less sweaty
  • Fewer migraines
  • Being grandparents
  • More realistic expectations
  • Happiness increases
  • Mental health can get better
• Ageism is prejudice against people based on their age.
• Negative Aspects of Old Age:

  • Hearing loss
  • Cataracts and refractive errors
  • Back and neck pain
  • Arthritis
  • Diabetes
  • Depression
  • Dementia
  • Body slows down
  • Dull and thinning hair
  • Spend more time in hospital
• • In 1983, there were just over 600,000 people in the UK aged 85 and over. It was over 1.3 million in 2008.
  • One fourth of total suicides are committed by the elderly
  • The number of elderly people living in poverty has increased by 300,000 in the past year to stand at 2.5 million
  • One in three people over 65 fall severely each year
  • Limiting long-term illness or disability which restricts daily activities
  • About 6 million elderly people suffer from depression
  • Statistics show there has been a 54% increase in complaints about neglect and abuse in care homes since 2004
• Ageism refers to the stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination towards others or oneself based on age.