9.7 Key Takeaways and Discussion Questions
As discussed in the beginning of the chapter, changes in the population’s demographics will have an impact on the field of human services. Looking at aging from a professional perspective can be difficult, considering we are all subject to the aging process and have our own personal views. Understanding some of the issues related to an aging population, such as a lack of caregivers, as well as common resources, can help us approach our work with a clearer view.
Included in this section are tools for the reader to refresh and retain the knowledge. A
Key Takeaway serves one of three purposes:
- highlighting an especially complex aspect of the chapter;
- summarizing an overarching idea; or
- emphasizing an idea that invites the reader to think about it more deeply, to connect to life experiences, and/or additional learnings.
Discussion Questions are recommended for individual reflection or class discussion.
Key Takeaways
- Learn to evolve along with changes in what care will look like as the needs of older adults change.
- Multigenerational families and the shifting needs of these family structures
- Examine our own biases and fears around the aging process.
- Understand that ageism can negatively impact the health and well-being of older adults, and can impact our own attitudes and behaviors as human services providers.
- Learn about the death and dying process and other end-of-life supports.
Discussion Questions
Due to changing demographics, no matter what area of human services you decide to pursue, it is likely you will be interacting with older adults. One of the biggest issues professionals face is confronting their own ageism. This is a list of activities that can help you challenge your own beliefs and bring the pervasive ageism of our culture to the forefront.
- Go to the greeting card section of a local store. Look for examples of stereotypes of older adults. You will likely find many negative examples (being frail, being incontinent, being deaf), but you may also find some examples of compassionate ageism. Please bring a few examples to class and talk about them with classmates. Examine your biases and each classmate’s intersecting identities in comparison to others.
- Go to the health and beauty section of a local drugstore. Try to figure out the percentage of products that do not claim to have an anti-aging effect. What do these messages convey? Why do we need to prevent or cover up wrinkles, age spots, or gray hair? Now consider European beauty standards. How does it intersect with race and ethnicity? Colorism? How many are available for darker complexions in comparison to lighter skin complexions? Are there any products for lightening skin?
- What are some of your own biases about getting older? How might this impact your work as a human services professional? You may want to consider your thoughts about gray hair, looking old, sexuality in later life, and appropriate behavior for older adults.
Comprehension Check
Licenses and Attributions
“Conclusion” by Yvonne M. Smith LCSW is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Revised by Martha Ochoa-Leyva.
