There are many social problems that affect our society. They affect people of all ages, race/ethnicity, and class. One of these groups is the elderly. Over the years the elderly have been looked at less, research has switched to children. The main reasons behind this shift is due to the drop in poverty level for older adults( Carr, 2010). Deborah Carr (2010) states that in 1959 the poverty level for the elderly was 35 percent then dropped to 15 percent in the 1970's. Carr also discusses how women and people of race/ethnicity are at higher poverty levels among elderly than white males. Being a women and of color putting them at higher rates of poverty. The reason for this is due to lower paying jobs or being without jobs for majority of
…show more content…
As individuals age they increasingly become alone. The majority of the elderly are women mainly because of how conscientious they are about medical and dietary choices. These women face issues with living longer and loss of spouse. This particular issue is called widowhood. Widowhood is a transition closely followed by the reconfiguration and adaption of family roles and function (Silverstein, Merril, and Giarrusso, 2010).Widowhood can create isolation and depression among all groups regardless of socioeconomic status ( SES). In a study conducted by Carr et al (2002), findings show that depression after death of a spouse for widows and widowers is more common around birthdays,and the months of January and June. The study also looked at depression for widow(r)s in December, there was so significant added depression. The reason for this Carr and associates believe is because of the family support at this time. Other finding of the study show that widow(r)s also have less depression if during the first six months they have support from their children. Elderly women face issues with finances with being a …show more content…
The reason behind elderly depression could be found in health issues. Barua (2012) study showed that a large proportion of depression among elderly people in the community was attributed to one of the chronic co-morbid conditions. He found that it was possible to screen elderly people using chronic co-morbid conditions as way to determine if they would suffer from depression. The cost of health care for elderly people can cause depression let alone dealing with illness and pain. Limited physical mobility can also cause depression. There is very little, if any, research on the differences in class, gender and race. Most information found was in general information lumping all elderly persons together. From personal experience I saw my father become depressed from chronic illness. It was hard to watch someone who was once so strong battle physical and mental illness. Now with my mom being elderly and having chronic illnesses that involve harsh surgeries and becoming clinically depressed shows me there is a need to learn more info about this subject and how we can better help the elderly besides pushing drugs down their throats. When activities of daily life, ADL, or instrumental activities of daily life, IADL, become issues then depression and social isolation can become a problem. Activities of daily living include are the tasks that are required to get going in the morning, get from place to place
As individuals age they increasingly become alone. The majority of the elderly are women mainly because of how conscientious they are about medical and dietary choices. These women face issues with living longer and loss of spouse. This particular issue is called widowhood. Widowhood is a transition closely followed by the reconfiguration and adaption of family roles and function (Silverstein, Merril, and Giarrusso, 2010).Widowhood can create isolation and depression among all groups regardless of socioeconomic status ( SES). In a study conducted by Carr et al (2002), findings show that depression after death of a spouse for widows and widowers is more common around birthdays,and the months of January and June. The study also looked at depression for widow(r)s in December, there was so significant added depression. The reason for this Carr and associates believe is because of the family support at this time. Other finding of the study show that widow(r)s also have less depression if during the first six months they have support from their children. Elderly women face issues with finances with being a …show more content…
The reason behind elderly depression could be found in health issues. Barua (2012) study showed that a large proportion of depression among elderly people in the community was attributed to one of the chronic co-morbid conditions. He found that it was possible to screen elderly people using chronic co-morbid conditions as way to determine if they would suffer from depression. The cost of health care for elderly people can cause depression let alone dealing with illness and pain. Limited physical mobility can also cause depression. There is very little, if any, research on the differences in class, gender and race. Most information found was in general information lumping all elderly persons together. From personal experience I saw my father become depressed from chronic illness. It was hard to watch someone who was once so strong battle physical and mental illness. Now with my mom being elderly and having chronic illnesses that involve harsh surgeries and becoming clinically depressed shows me there is a need to learn more info about this subject and how we can better help the elderly besides pushing drugs down their throats. When activities of daily life, ADL, or instrumental activities of daily life, IADL, become issues then depression and social isolation can become a problem. Activities of daily living include are the tasks that are required to get going in the morning, get from place to place