Understanding Social Gerontology: A Comprehensive Overview
Aging is a natural process that affects individuals differently based on genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Social gerontology delves into the social, psychological, and biological aspects of aging, distinct from geriatrics focused on medical concerns. Explore the history, development, and significance of social gerontology in addressing the challenges of an aging population.
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Social Work with Aged Dr. Muhammad Ibrar 9/16/2024 1
Introduction Aging is a universal phenomenon occurring in every individual with the passage of time. In the past, aging was not considered a social problem owing to a well-knit joint family system operating in society. The problems arising out of longevity of life are now showing new dimensions. The modern socio-economic system has made old age a serious social problem. 9/16/2024 2
What Is Aging? Aging is a constant, expected process that involves growth and development of living organisms. Aging can't be avoided, but how fast we age varies from one person to another. How we age depends upon our genetic factor, environmental influences, and life style. 9/16/2024 3
What is Gerontology Gerontology (from Greek: , geron, "old man" and - ,-logy, "study of") is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging. It is distinguished from geriatrics, which is the branch of medicine that studies the diseases of the elderly. 9/16/2024 4
Contd. Gerontology The scientific study of aging throughout the life course Social gerontology The scientific study of aging throughout the life course that focuses on what it means to age in society Geriatrics The scientific study of aging that focuses on physical health and medical concerns 9/16/2024 5
The Development of Social Gerontology Early Age: Aristotle wrote that, old age was a form of illness, created by a reduction in body heat. This view was opposed by Claudius Galen, who considered aging an alterable physical process rather than an illness Growing old was explained by Galen,in the 2nd century A.D as an imbalance between four basic physiologic properties : heat, cold ,wetness and dryness. 9/16/2024 6
Modern Age In 1909, Ignaz Leo, an American Physician, used the word, "geriatrics for the first time. In 1930,the social scientists draws the attention of the people that the aging as a SocialProblem . In 1940,the formal study of aging take place. In 1945,The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)was founded for the advance knowledge of aging. 9/16/2024 7
Contd. In 1946,The Journal of Gerontology, which publishes scientific articles on the biological , clinical, psychological and social aspects of aging first appeared. In 1947,the Division of Maturity and Old Age was formed within the American Psychological Association, which is now known as the Division of Adult Development and Aging. 9/16/2024 8
Situational Analysis With the increased span of life in Pakistan, a person over 60 years of age may be treated as aged. According to population figures of 1981, the total population of males and females in the age group of 60 years and above was around 6.9%, being 5.82million of the total population of 84.25 million. The ratio of population growth in the age group of 60 years and above has been proportionality higher during the last two decades i.e. 9/16/2024 9
Contd. 26% and may reach to 30% by the year 2002. in other words, the population of old people in Pakistan in a span of 20 years will more than double itself. The oldest people(75 years and above) are projected to be the fastest growing component of the elderly population with beginning of this century. At present the total population in the age group of 60 years and above is over 9 million. 9/16/2024 10
Contd. From these figures the seriousness of the problem can be gauged. We should also not lose sight of the fact that owing to advances in the field of medicine and better public health programmes, the average expectancy of life is also increasing with the reduction of infant mortality. The problem of the elderly people has not been properly understand in Pakistan with the result that no practical programmes have been undertaken for their welfare. 9/16/2024 11
Contd. Even the intellectuals do not consider it as a problem requiring immediate attention. The elderly people in Pakistan are going to present a serious problem in near future, when due to industrialization and urbanization, their problem will assume similar magnitude as in the west. 9/16/2024 12
Contd. Pakistan has a population of nearly 30 million aged persons, and the majority of them live below the poverty line, with absolutely no social security and are also illiterate unaware of their basic rights. 9/16/2024 13
Problems of Aging Aging brings in its wake a number of problems for the older people in various spheres of life. For an elderly person, loss of employment meant not only exposure to financially instability but also reduction in status. Similarly, loss of spouse may lead to loss of home and prestige once enjoyed as head of a family. The loss of friends and weakening energy create in them a feeling of loneliness. 9/16/2024 14
Contd. Further, due to the unsympathetic attitude of society, many of the senior citizens do not get an opportunity to utilize their mature talents and thus get a feeling of frustration, being unwanted. Their sluggishness not only creates emotional problems for themselves but also for the family. 9/16/2024 15
Contd. As mentioned earlier, the aged find it difficult to adjust themselves with changing social values. Often the phenomenon of the generationgap may render them irrelevant. In the household from a decision making role, they may come to have a role of decision followers. 9/16/2024 16
Voluntary efforts in Pakistan Voluntary efforts in the field of social services for senior citizens have not been very encouraging in Pakistan. 1. The first organization for the welfare of the aged persons was formed by a group of working women under the leadership of Mrs.Fazli. The organization known as Ladies Fellowship undoubtedly awareness about the problem of the older people by holding seminars and forums to highlight the services needed by them. But this organization remained confined to ladies of the upper class of society and could not reach the masses. created some 9/16/2024 17
Contd. 2. The second organization which was founded in Karachi in 1985 is known as the Pakistan Senior Citizens Association. It has both males and females as its members and is working among upper and middle classes to serve the cause of elderly. It has supported the destitute and disabled poor by providing them with wheelchairs and other appliances to make their lives comfortable. 9/16/2024 18
Contd. 3. The third organization is the Pakistan Association of Gerontology which plans to initiate a programme for geriatrics and a research study to make adequate assessment of the health status of the aged. 4.The fourth organization is the Association for the Welfare of Retired Persons(AWARP) based at Islamabad. It was in 1989,when a group of government pensioners laid the nucleus of a welfare body, to project their grievances, mainly in the matter of fixation of adequate pensions. 9/16/2024 19
Services Needed The services needed by the elderly people can be divided in two categories: a. Providing work to those who are able to earn a living. b. Providing services to those who are unable to work because of old age and chronic illness either in their homes or in institutions. 9/16/2024 20
Contd. Pakistan suffers from poverty. This joined with increasing unemployment makes problem of the first category of aged person more severe. Another factor responsible for economic dependence of the aged in Pakistan is the absence of old age assistance to the older people. Therefore, employment for lighter work after retirement will not only provide necessary economic security but will also help them to keep themselves busy. 9/16/2024 21
Day-Care Centre The second category of persons require medical attention, economic assistance and supportive services to help them with the functioning of daily activities. Day-care programme is a supportive service which grew out of socio-economic needs of the old people. The primary objective of a day care center is to provide facilities to elderly persons in order to keep them busy in activities which ensure the utilization of their talents, skills and experience and at the same time are beneficial both for the aged and the community. 9/16/2024 22
Contd. Under this arrangement, the old persons remain within the family, yet enjoy the advantages of supportive services which the family member are not in a position to provide . In USA and Canada, welfare agencies have started non- institutional services for elderly people. These are known as Golden Age Centres, Day-Care Centres, or Recreational Centres for senior citizens. 9/16/2024 23
Contd. Following activities could form part of the programme of a Day-Care Centre: Individual Activities: Library and reading rooms Creative Writing Use of musical instruments Book review Hobbies, handicrafts, wood-work, tailoring, painting etc. 9/16/2024 24
Contd. Group Activities: Discussions groups Story telling Light refreshments Picnics, sight seeing Indoor games Poetic competition Parties Dramas Celebrating national festivals Lectures and debates. 9/16/2024 25
Home For Senior Citizens In Pakistan, welfare of the elderly people has been the responsibility of the family and it is still taking care of its elderly members. However, there are categories of aged persons such as deserted, homeless, destitute and childless who need institutional care. Intuitional care provides an opportunity to elderly homeless men and women to restore heath and confidence by means of proper rest, wholesome recreation and rehabilitative therapy. 9/16/2024 26
Contd. The most important requisite for the Home for the aged is a well-qualified staff, with not only understanding of problems of the old age but also having keen interest in the welfare of the patients. The elderly should be encouraged to provide social services to the community. This may be in the form of coaching children, adult education, helping in marriages and counseling youth. 9/16/2024 27
