Program Lesson 13 The Future of Aging


The aging of nations will be an international phenomenon of the 21st Century	The Human Genome Project is revolutionizing our concepts of chronic disease	Younger ethnic groups and older adults may forge alliances in the future to meet shared needs	Technology is opening up new doors of independence and freedom for older adults and disabled persons

Summary of the Video and Text

Video

The video tells us to expect three revolutions in the future: a demographic revolution, a health revolution, and a social revolution. Changes in these areas will present many challenges for families and society. Will these changes lead to generational competition for resources? Experts and elders outline ways in which people can work together to create a better world for all, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity.

Video Quote: Elders' views of the future vary

Mollie Pier: "Well, I'm very optimistic about the future. I think that older people will learn how to maintain healthful lifestyles, will acquire more energy, and will be able to contribute what they know, their experience."

Leo Salazar: "Right now I'm working on a credential in gerontology and I probably will wind up with a Masters in Art. So I have a lot of plans so I'm not ready to go yet. I'm, I want to, I have a lot of things to do."

Mildred Tuttle: "Now as I look ahead, I suppose I have to plan on living to be 90, at least, and I'm trying to keep my finances in such shape that I'll be able to take care of myself through, through 90 anyway."

Robert Shaw: "I'm not looking forward to another career. I'm looking forward to continuing doing things. And particularly, if I can and I'm capable, try to help other people. That's what it's all about."

Ilse Darling: "I figure I'm gonna live about 10 or 15 more years and I hope I don't live longer than that. When you become a burden to your family, I think it's time to go. And keeping you alive that long...I can't imagine an existence that means very much. That has any kind of quality."

Faye Cruse: "I just want to be happy. I still want my friends. I want to be able to love them, get love back. I don't think that's too much to ask, do you?"

Text

The "Epilogue" of the text discusses how future generations of older adults will differ from today’s elderly. It summarizes how these changes may impact families and society in the future and the kinds of ethical and policy decisions these changes may present to us. The chapter ends with an outline of career options in gerontology that, the authors remind us, are limited only by your imagination.

Video Quote: Nancy Hooyman, Ph.D., discusses the future societal implications of a dramatically growing population of older people

Nancy Hooyman: "When we look ahead to 2030 and the dramatic growth of the older population, we know there'll be implications for every aspect of our society, whether it's for the work environment and the concept of retirement; whether it's for the work environment and the concept of retirement; whether it's for educational institutions, because clearly there'll be more people returning back to higher education for second or third or fourth careers; or whether it's implications for the family structure as we have more four and five generation families. And there will not be as many people in the younger ages of the families to be able to care for older people. So there will be changes in every aspect of modern society."

Video Quote: Fernando Torres-Gil, Ph.D., hopes that younger and older people will forge new alliances in the future to meet shared needs

Fernando Torres-Gil: "In Florida you'll have Hispanics and you have elders. In California you'll have Blacks, Hispanics, and elders. The real question then comes in, will those groups work together as political alliances, and if they do, where can they work together? Or will they work at odds with each other? Will they compete for votes and resources and legislation that either benefit them or bring them apart? We hope that around such issues as health care, for example, that senior and Black and Hispanic political leaders can come together. Seniors have a desperate need for better health care coverage, minorities have a desperate need for health care, for health care promotion, for pre-natal care, and other types of health care services. So if their political leadership can come together, they can develop a political alliance that will be very difficult to defeat."

Features of the Study and Faculty Guides

Study Guide (MySocKit)

Key points of the lesson, integrating video and text, are elucidated under the learning objective topics. Self-study questions help students prepare for exams. Descriptions of discussion and essay/research topics provide instructions for a variety of activities that may be assigned by the instructor. The Study Guide also provides a glossary of key terms and concepts covered in the telecourse and a listing of participants in the video.

Faculty Guide

The descriptions of discussion and essay/research topics presented in the Study Guide are reprinted in the Faculty Guide with tips for assigning the activities effectively. In addition, in-class activity suggestions and exam questions/answers are included. The Guide offers options appropriate for faculty using the telecourse in different settings, e.g., in-class, distance learning, interactive television, or a combination of formats. A Video Index helps instructors find segments of the video by time code and topic.