Forget Me

Not
Caring for the Elderly

OLD AGE

..generally begins at the age

of

60
People in this age group are
called
..Senior
Citizens

According
to
Organization.

the

World

Health

.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.
4

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
6

What are the Elderly Like?

Cognitive
decline in mental processes may
experience memory lapses or
disorientation.
Spotlight on:
ALZHEIMERs 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:
ALZHEIMERs 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.
Alzheimers 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 societys
view of the elderly and by providing adequate social services
for them.

What are the Elderly Like?

Society views
elderly as
incompetent;
obsolete

Society develops label for the

elderly: useless; ineffective;
helpless

Society provides inadequate support services,

and funds for the elderly.
Elderlys skills
deteriorate
Elderly labels self as
incompetent

What are the Elderly Like?

Society views
elderly as
competent;
important

Society develops positive

label for the elderly: helpers;
self-controlled; wise;
competent

Society provides support systems for the elderly:

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

Elderlys 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

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

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

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 dont deserve such
because they are already old.