GLPH – module 1
- Biohacking and biotechnologies provide individuals with the opportunity to modify the
aging body to prevent or address age related changes.
- Gerontechnology provides ways to support and/or monitor the aging individual,
recording and disseminating information about them to family and caregivers
Section 1
Ageism
- defined as the systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because
they are old
- ageist stereotypes generalize people into groupings or categories based on
chronological age and set up an “us versus them” mindset
- ageism can lead to barriers, preventing older people from successfully finding
employment and other opportunities
- stable, lasting interactions in age heterogeneous settings are essential in combating
ageism
diversity of elders
- elders are not evenly distributed worldwide, more than 20% of the population is now
people of colour and those who identify as LGBTQ+
old-old
- anyone between the ages of 75 and 84
oldest-old
- 85 years or older
- majority is women
- there are many more widowed women than widowed men
- their average personal income is generally lower than the rest of the older population
- they are disproportionately represented in hospitals and in long-term care settings-
possibly due to poverty and lack of social support as much as physical limitations
centenarian (sub group of old-old)
- 100 years or older
- most are healthy, mentally alert, free of major disability, able to perform most daily
activities and are engaged in their communities
- oldest man to run marathon at 100 years old is Fauja Singh
super-centenarian (sub group of old-old)
- those who have reached 110 years of age or more
- have fewer chronic diseases and physical disabilities
- this group has lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, compared to those younger
than 110
, aging successfully in later years
*successful aging is defined as the absence of illness
successfully aging: successfully aging requires a combination of physical health and functional
ability, high cognitive functioning and active involvement with society.
Self-efficacy: reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over one’s own motivation,
behaviour and social environment
Well-being: state of being happy, healthy or prosperous
Resilience: ability to thrive under difficult situations, turning adversity into a catalyst for growth
and emotional well-being
Positive aging: being adaptable and proactive in coping with change; taking life in stride
Lifestyle of older adults
- if they are financially and physically able to do so, older adults lifestyle choices mirror
the activities they engaged in when they were younger adults
- many older adults live off a pension or RRSP, this means owning a car or travelling could
be a luxury
social class and economic status
- as an individual gets older, their social class largely shapes what is possible in old age
- social class is often a result of economic status, which varies amongst older adults
major sources of income
- Canada pension and social security
- Other pensions
- Assets, such as interest-bearing savings and chequing accounts, investments, home
equity, and personal property
- Employment earnings
- Welfare
* although the net worth of older adults tends to be higher, those assets may not necessarily
translate to disposable income to maintain their standard of living in retirement
changing conceptions of work and retirement
encore careers
- Refers to new “retirement jobs” places an emphasis on working by choice and for
enjoyment
- Encore careers movement includes non-profit groups and programs that aim to help
older workers find public service jobs that benefit society
- In the future, there will be greater labour market diversity among the older population
and greater variations in the reasons for retirement employment, and economic well-
being
Gliding out
- Biohacking and biotechnologies provide individuals with the opportunity to modify the
aging body to prevent or address age related changes.
- Gerontechnology provides ways to support and/or monitor the aging individual,
recording and disseminating information about them to family and caregivers
Section 1
Ageism
- defined as the systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because
they are old
- ageist stereotypes generalize people into groupings or categories based on
chronological age and set up an “us versus them” mindset
- ageism can lead to barriers, preventing older people from successfully finding
employment and other opportunities
- stable, lasting interactions in age heterogeneous settings are essential in combating
ageism
diversity of elders
- elders are not evenly distributed worldwide, more than 20% of the population is now
people of colour and those who identify as LGBTQ+
old-old
- anyone between the ages of 75 and 84
oldest-old
- 85 years or older
- majority is women
- there are many more widowed women than widowed men
- their average personal income is generally lower than the rest of the older population
- they are disproportionately represented in hospitals and in long-term care settings-
possibly due to poverty and lack of social support as much as physical limitations
centenarian (sub group of old-old)
- 100 years or older
- most are healthy, mentally alert, free of major disability, able to perform most daily
activities and are engaged in their communities
- oldest man to run marathon at 100 years old is Fauja Singh
super-centenarian (sub group of old-old)
- those who have reached 110 years of age or more
- have fewer chronic diseases and physical disabilities
- this group has lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, compared to those younger
than 110
, aging successfully in later years
*successful aging is defined as the absence of illness
successfully aging: successfully aging requires a combination of physical health and functional
ability, high cognitive functioning and active involvement with society.
Self-efficacy: reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over one’s own motivation,
behaviour and social environment
Well-being: state of being happy, healthy or prosperous
Resilience: ability to thrive under difficult situations, turning adversity into a catalyst for growth
and emotional well-being
Positive aging: being adaptable and proactive in coping with change; taking life in stride
Lifestyle of older adults
- if they are financially and physically able to do so, older adults lifestyle choices mirror
the activities they engaged in when they were younger adults
- many older adults live off a pension or RRSP, this means owning a car or travelling could
be a luxury
social class and economic status
- as an individual gets older, their social class largely shapes what is possible in old age
- social class is often a result of economic status, which varies amongst older adults
major sources of income
- Canada pension and social security
- Other pensions
- Assets, such as interest-bearing savings and chequing accounts, investments, home
equity, and personal property
- Employment earnings
- Welfare
* although the net worth of older adults tends to be higher, those assets may not necessarily
translate to disposable income to maintain their standard of living in retirement
changing conceptions of work and retirement
encore careers
- Refers to new “retirement jobs” places an emphasis on working by choice and for
enjoyment
- Encore careers movement includes non-profit groups and programs that aim to help
older workers find public service jobs that benefit society
- In the future, there will be greater labour market diversity among the older population
and greater variations in the reasons for retirement employment, and economic well-
being
Gliding out
