Unit 1 Demographics of the Aging Population

In this unit we are first going to get acquainted with each other, and become familiar with the technology we will be using. Then we're going to talk about aging in the broadest sense. What does it mean to grow old? How is that process influenced by the environment? How is the environment changed by the process of aging?

We'll "do the numbers," looking at the demographics of our rapidly aging population, both locally and globally. And in the course of this unit, I want to set the tone that aging has the potential to be a WONDERFUL experience! In this course, we will consider all the benefits and positive aspects of growing old. Not that there aren't problems and challenges to growing old. We'll consider those, too. But my goal for you in this course is for you to be eager to work with older adults, and to look forward to your own aging.

Key Concepts

Cross-sectional, longitudinal, sequential design Normal, disease-free aging Social gerontology Ageism Elderly mystique Diversity Person-environment perspective Competence Environmental press