Title: Challenges Facing the Elderly | Introduction to Sociology
Headings: Challenges Facing the Elderly
Challenges Facing the Elderly
Learning Objectives
Poverty
Ageism
Mistreatment and Abuse
The National Center on Elder Abuse encourages people to watch for these signs of mistreatment. (Chart courtesy of National Center on Elder Abuse)
World War II Veterans
Summary
Question #1
Short Answer
Glossary
ageism
elder abuse
gerontocracy
senescence
Further Research
References

Content: Reverence for the elderly is still a part of some cultures, but it has changed in many places because of social factors. In many modern nations, however, industrialization contributed to the diminished social standing of the elderly. Today wealth, power, and prestige are also held by those in younger age brackets. The average age of corporate executives was fifty-nine years old in 1980. In 2008, the average age had lowered to fifty-four years old (Stuart 2008). Some older members of the workforce felt threatened by this trend and grew concerned that younger employees in higher level positions would push them out of the job market. Rapid advancements in technology and media have required new skill sets that older members of the workforce are less likely to have. Changes happened not only in the workplace but also at home. In agrarian societies, a married couple cared for their aging parents. The oldest members of the family contributed to the household by doing chores, cooking, and helping with child care.