SOC 225 - Social Gerontology/Appl

1. Define gerontology
2. Summarize the reasons for studying gerontology
3. Explain gerontology as a field of study
   1. Discuss the myths of aging
   2. Discuss ageism as a social problem
   3. Review the history of gerontology 
4. Analyze demographic trends in aging
5. Analyze stages of the human life cycle
6. Identify stereotypes and role transitions in later life
7. Explain the theoretical and methodological issues related to gerontology
   1. Describe the following theories related to aging
   2. Define the symbolic - interactions and perspective
   3. Describe the human development model
8. Analyze the different research techniques and issues
9. Analyze the biological and health correlates of aging
   1. Examine the cellular and physiological theories of aging
   2. Investigate the age related changes in human physiology
10. Outline causes of illness and death in old age
11. Define holistic health care
12. Discuss prolongevity, nutrition, exercise and findings on sexuality in old age
13. Examine the family life cycle
14. Consider family patterns in later life
    1. Examine husband-wife relations in the later years
    2. Give serious thought to issues related to the loss of a spouse in the later years
    3. Contemplate issues related to adult children as caregivers of parents
15. Explain grandparenting styles
16. Demonstrate an understanding of issues related to work, retirement, and leisure as it relates to the elderly/aging
    1. Discuss the following issues in relation to older workers
    2. Explain the trend toward early retirement
    3. Discuss mandatory versus flexible retirement
    4. Explain leisure time activities of the elderly
17. Describe the economics of aging
    1. Report on the financial status of the elderly as a group
    2. Describe the social security system
    3. State the rationale and purposes of the medicare/medicaid systems
    4. Describe the problems that may be encountered with private pension plans
18. Explain the theoretical and methodological issues related to gerontology
    1. Describe the housing options of the elderly
    2. Differentiate among the types of nursing homes
    3. Discuss the rationale and problems of nursing homes
19. Summarize the impact of environment on older people.
20. Discuss mental health as it realties to the elderly
    1. Relate the psychology of aging
    2. Discuss the types of mental disorders experienced by the elderly
    3. Describe the causes and issues related to Alzheimer’s disease.
21. Explain ways the elderly are victimized
    1. Describe confidence games and frauds
    2. Explain drug abuse of the elderly
    3. Discuss abuse of the elderly
22. Analyze minority and cross-cultural aspects of aging
    1. Examine the aging process in the following groups
    2. Investigate the aging process in Japan, Scandinavia, and nonindustrialized societies
23. Explain issues related to death and dying
    1. Discuss the impact of death in American society/other countries
    2. Describe attitudes towards, and the meaning of death.
    3. Describe the stages of dying
    4. Explain grief and bereavement
24. Explain the hospice movement
25. Evaluate the politics of, and programs for the elderly
    1. Assess the political participation among the elderly.
    2. Judge the impact of the Older Americans Act