Elsevier

Psychiatry

Volume 6, Issue 12, December 2007, Pages 480-483
Psychiatry

Aspects of ageing
Social aspects of ageing

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mppsy.2007.09.009Get rights and content

Abstract

Human lifespans are increasing steadily worldwide. Yet in spite of the success of this demographic revolution, age stratification and discrimination against older people is widespread, and in most Western cultures older people are marginalized and socially excluded on the basis of age. Stereotypes of older people are essentially negative and reinforce institutionalized ageism, which is reinforced in turn by the legal, political, educational and health and welfare structures of modern society. Of course, such generalizations mask huge diversity, and like the rest of the population there differences in gender, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic group/social class, income/pensions and regional/local cultures. The challenge remains how to increase social inclusion for all older citizens and improve their quality of life. The hegemony of institutionalized ageism, both in society in general and in health care services, and the negative cultural representation of older people remain major barriers.

Section snippets

Ageing in contemporary society

Human lifespans are increasing steadily worldwide, mainly as a result of improvements in living conditions, sanitation and health care. Yet in spite of the success of this demographic revolution, age stratification and discrimination is widespread, and in most Western cultures older people are marginalized and socially excluded on the basis of age. Stereotypes of older people are essentially negative and reinforce institutionalized ageism, which is reinforced in turn by the legal, political,

Quality of life for older people

There is now a considerable literature highlighting what is important to older people’s quality of life3; the key domains are summarized in Table 1. The factors that older people mention are the same as those in other age groups and broadly include:

  • relationships with family and friends

  • social contacts

  • own health

  • independence

  • mobility

  • emotional wellbeing

  • material circumstances

  • religion/spirituality

  • leisure activities

  • home environment.4

The aspects of life cited by older people as being most important are

Ageing and health

An enduring negative image of later life is of restrictions because of increasingly failing physical health and disability and diminished personal and social opportunities. Of course, the social and psychological impact of chronic illness on coping mechanisms and lifestyles of individuals and their family and friends is momentous,9 and represents a major challenge both to society and to healthcare professionals, who must help people achieve and maintain optimum quality of life.

Health and social

Case study: Bob and Mary

The following case study is intended to illustrate how an understanding of a person’s life biography is crucial to understanding what is important to, and what influences, their quality of life.

Bob (aged 67) and Mary (aged 65) had been married for 35 years. Bob was a keen long-distance runner; for over 35 years he had been an active member of a local running club, training with fellow members for marathons, completing daily training runs and exercising in the gym. Through the running club he

Stigma and discrimination

An important aspect of the cultural representation of dementia and other mental illnesses is the inherent stereotyping of older people with dementia and the stigmatizing effect on everyday interactions and the quality of life they experience. Reducing the effects of stigma is high on the research and political agenda, and stigma remains a major obstacle to ensuring good care for people with mental disorders.16 In our ‘hypercognitive culture’,17 people with dementia are excluded because they

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