Date of Award

1995

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

Social Work

Keywords

Gerontology.

Supervisor

Ferguson, J.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

This study examines that segment of the population which is variously referred to as the 'old old' (Neugarten, Croty and Tobin 1964; Neugarten and Miller 1964), and the 'frail elderly' (Baker 1988; Novak 1988)--which this study will refer to as the 'most elderly'. These are people who are eighty-five years of age and older. Since Canadians are living longer and healthier lives, the questions arise: how is society preparing for a larger older population, and how are the present 'most elderly' dealing with the day-to-day exigencies of life? Since these 'most elderly' were born just before or just after the turn of the twentieth century, they lived through three major world events: the First World War and the Second World War, which were separated by a global depression. It is assumed that these milestones must have affected their lives and were instrumental in forming their current life view. Answers to these questions were sought through a formal questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. The findings of this study indicate that: (1) the older population prefer to remain in their own homes. (2) They look to the community to make available those means of aid that will allow them to continue to be independent. (3) Governments and appropriate agencies are not moving quickly enough, nor with sufficient imagination to accommodate the impending swell in the elderly population. Furthermore it is determined that the elderly are not being consulted and involved in the needed transition. Some policy changes and implementations, in accommodating the elderly, are recommended to government bodies at all levels. Finally, some specific concerns about the socially marginalized elderly are voiced, and further areas of research on this segment of the population are suggested. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1995 .H38. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 34-02, page: 0570. Adviser: Jack Ferguson. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1995.

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