Aging is a natural and challenging part of life. As an individual grows old, they undergo physical, emotional and social changes. Physical changes include wrinkles, grey hair, and reduced mobility. Old people also have increased the risk for health problems such as Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer among other chronic conditions. The elderly also experience social changes such as loneliness, dependency on their family and children and a host of welfare issues. Social factors such as the family dynamics, religion, productive engagement in later life, abuse in late life among other factors affect one’s ability to lead a longer life.
Different Social Factors in Old Age
George & Ferraro (2015) talk about the effects of family relations on aging. The changes in intergenerational roles and responsibilities have led to changes in the patterns of marriage in the 21st-century society. For example, with the increasing cases of divorce, the elderly lose spousal companionship that comes in handy in the old age. Kikuzawa (2016) classifies family relations into five: family support, satisfaction with family support, family harmony, filial support and filial discrepancy. Kikuzawa (2016) states that protecting and providing for the elderly parents is the responsibility of the children. Children help elderly parents navigate the challenges of old age as the family is a source of social and financial support. When the family is not in harmony, the elderly members of the family are denied the full support they need.
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Another social factor in aging is religion. Krause & Hayward (2012) state that many studies that conclude that involvement in religion leads to more efficient social relationships for the elderly. Mental health problems increase with old age due to isolation, loneliness, retirement, widowhood among other factors leading to depression. Many studies show that religion has positive effects on mental health. Shared religious beliefs and practices lead to high levels of social integration. Additionally, religious services are sources of social and emotional support. Religious communities help members during difficult times such as health problems and funerals. Individuals who are not involved in religious activities limit their social connections to friends and family. Church members, church groups, and church friends form the social support to help one during difficult times.
The changing patterns of work and retirement also change the social and economic lives of the elderly in significant ways. Since the mid-1980s, older men and women have been working for more extended periods because of the changes in the retirement process (George & Ferraro, 2015). Different nations have a different retirement age, but 65 is the standard age of retirement. At retirement, the elderly are liable to receive pension. Retirement is a stressful period for the elderly. Retirement can be a source of relief or stress depending on one’s social network. After retirement, the elderly find themselves with a lot of time on their hands, and this can lead to boredom. Retirement also leads to social isolation as the elderly will no longer have work and colleagues to keep them busy. Retirement can be a source of financial distress due to lack of income. Good pension helps the elderly to meet the challenges of old age such as expensive medication and living facilities. Some choose to engage in productive activities after retirement to keep busy, while others choose to do nothing.
Additionally, when older adults engage in productive social and economic activities, they keep themselves busy by doing paid or unpaid work. The elderly can volunteer at homes, charities or even run their businesses to occupy their time and meet other challenges of aging such as loneliness, purposelessness and strengthen their financial security (Burzynska et al., 2016).
Elder abuse is another social problem in old age. Statistics show that at least 1 in 10 adults above the age of 60 living in their own homes experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation (George & Ferraro, 2015). The elderly are vulnerable physically, and family members and friends can easily take advantage. Some cases of elder abuse are severe, and they lead to physical and emotional harm. Long-term abuse exacerbates health problems, leads to premature institutionalization and hastened death. There is a need for community programs to identify and prevent elder abuse. Lastly, the issue of end of life planning also arises in old age. A considerably high number of older adults suffered from life-long chronic illnesses and given their advanced age; they are more likely to express their preferences towards end-of-life care. The end-of-life care decision differs according to the demographic, economic and cultural contexts of an individual.
In conclusion, many social factors affect the aging process. The elderly are vulnerable individuals, and they rely on family members and health professionals to meet most of their needs. They need a healthy support system, made up of family, church, community, and professionals to help them meet their needs. Aside from strong social support, the elderly find themselves with a lot of time on their hands after retirement and they have to engage in productive activities to occupy their time. Other issues such as elder abuse and end of life planning are the realities of old life, and therefore, family members, health providers, and other interested parties should be ready to help the older adults navigate the challenges of elderly age.
References
Burzynska, M., Bryla, M., Bryla, P., & Maniecka ‐ Bryla, I. (2016). Factors determining the use of social support services among elderly people living in a city environment in Poland. Health & social care in the community , 24 (6), 758-768.
George, L. & Ferraro, K. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of aging and the social sciences . Academic Press.
Kikuzawa, S. (2016). Social support and the mental health of family caregivers: Sons and daughters caring for aging parents in Japan. International Journal of Japanese Sociology , 25 (1), 131-149.
Krause, N., & Hayward, R. D. (2012). Negative interaction with fellow church members and depressive symptoms among older Mexican Americans. Archive for the Psychology of Religion , 34 (2), 149-171.
Wilmoth, J. M., London, A. S., & Himes, C. L. (2015). Inter-cohort variation in the consequences of US military service for men’s mid-to late-life body mass index trajectories. In A life course perspective on health trajectories and transitions (pp. 133- 154). Springer, Cham.
