New Challenges (Asynchronous Session)
Let’s Talk About Sex: What Older Adults Need from Healthcare Providers View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Jennifer Zorotovich, Adrienne Cohen, Nikki DiGregorio, Debra Hagerty
Contemporary American culture generally has three responses to the sex lives of older adults: to assume they do not exist, to demonize and portray them as repulsive, or to make them of comedic entertainment value (LeVay et al., 2021). Despite documented benefits of sex and intimacy (Hillman, 2008; LeVay et al., 2021; Williams & Donnelly, 2002), dominant cultural norms reserve sexuality for younger cohorts. Older adults continue being sexually active in later years as evidenced by the range of sexually transmitted infections (Johnson, 2013) and new diagnoses of AIDS (Huang et al., 2015). Although health impacts are apparent, practitioners do not initiate sex-related conversations with the frequency preferred by their older patients (Gott et al., 2004). These findings highlight a communication gap that ultimately hinders successful aging. This project gathered qualitative data with 30 adults on communicative patterns with healthcare providers and perceived sexual health needs. The sample included 19 women and 11 men where 60% of the sample identified as White/Caucasian, 37% as Black/African American, and 3% as Asian Pacific Islander. Approximately 80% identified as straight/heterosexual, 10% as gay/lesbian, 7% as bisexual, and 3% as asexual. Results point to a specific protocol that may be useful to healthcare providers in addressing the topic of sexual health in ways that meet unique needs and highlighted the need for tailored resources deemed useful by older adults. The discussion focuses on efforts that contribute to a holistic modality of care and illuminate an aspect of well-being that has historically been ignored.
The Influence of Computer Experience and Skills on Retirement Age: A Comparison of Denmark, Finland and Sweden View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kathrin Komp-Leukkunen
The increasing use of computers in the workplace can be a challenge for older workers. These older workers had already started their working careers when computers became common, and they needed to modify their way of working to accommodate this change. Previous research showed that older workers often struggle to pick up computer skills on their jobs. Moreover, they are less likely than younger workers to participate in workplace training to obtain computer skills. As a result, their skills may become outdated. Some researchers argue that as a result, older workers may become more interested in early retirement, and they may also run a higher risk of being made redundant than younger workers do. This study expands on the suggested connection between older workers’ familiarity with computers and their retirement age. It explores this connection from a life-course perspective, asking whether the decisive factor is the computer skills that older workers hold or the experience with computers they accumulated throughout their working careers. Moreover, it asks whether country-characteristics, such as retirement regulations, modify the influence of computer experience and skills. To study these questions, regression analyses of micro-level data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe are carried out. The Danish, Finnish, and Swedish retrospective life-history interviews from wave 7 of this dataset are analyzed. The analyses are stratified by country to investigate country differences. Findings enhance our understanding of older workers, their retirement transition, and computer-induced workplace changes.
Featured Age Discrimination and Depression among Older Adults in South Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Moderating Effects of Regular Exercise View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hyun Kang, Emily S. Ihara
This study examines the association between age discrimination and depression among South Korean older adults and whether regular exercise can moderate this association. There has been a noticeable rise in age discrimination in both the media and the society during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Age discrimination results in an internalization of ageist attitudes and stereotypes, resulting in decreased self-efficacy and increased negative emotions, which have negative impacts on the health of older adults. Regular exercise has rarely been discussed as a possible intervention against ageism, but it has been shown to boost self-esteem and enhance positive self-perceptions of aging, so it might reduce the psychological detrimental effects of internalized ageism that are caused by perceived age discrimination. A total of 10,327 older adults (65+) were analyzed using the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Depression was regressed on age discrimination while age, gender, education, marital status, self-rated health, and employment status were controlled. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the moderating effect of exercise. We found that higher levels of age discrimination were directly associated with higher levels of depression, and exercise acted as a buffer that decreases the negative influence of age discrimination on depression. In the face of adversity, older adults’ regular exercise serves as an important mechanism for combating ageism by properly managing stress and enhancing self-resilience. Our findings contribute to the development of practice interventions that mitigate the negative effects of age discrimination on older adults, particularly following the pandemic.
From Crone to Conqueror: Reflecting on the Older Actress in the Horror Movie View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Amanda Reyes
Sociologist Kenneth F. Ferraro defines ageism as, “Prejudice and discrimination against older people based on the belief that ageing makes people less attractive, intelligent and productive.” These beliefs, widely shared in Western society, are rooted in an ideology seeking to dismantle power structures for maturing adults. Cinema upholds stereotypes about growing older, portraying aged characters as dissatisfied, or resorting to extreme antics to maintain youth. Or, they are simply rendered invisible. The horror genre is not immune. According to a 2016 study by industry consultant Stephen Follows, the average age of the lead in a horror film is 38. The genre all too often scales its core viewership towards much younger ages, alienating an important audience. Unfortunately, it is the aging actress who suffers most. The roles offered to women are too often relegated to one-word descriptions such as “hag” and “crone.” The mature female body became a source of ridicule and shame, generating an internalized terror. However, this is changing, and as audiences grow older, the genre film is beginning to offer positive reflections of what it means to be a mature woman facing insurmountable odds. For example, Insidious is a popular franchise fronted by a woman in her seventies. And, Jamie Lee Curtis’ return as Laurie Strode in the Halloween series was greeted with open arms and strong box office. My study charts the transformation from crone to strong, powerful older woman, what that means for spectatorship, and to look ahead at where we should go from here.
Elderly Loneliness in Surabaya, Indonesia: Experience and Social Support View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Ayu Diah Amalia, Mu'man Nuryana
This research explores elderly loneliness in metropolitan city Surabaya, Indonesia. Its not easy living alone in a big city. Many social problems occur to the elderly. Social phenomenological method was used in this research;12 informants are participated. They are elderly above 60 years old at Hamlet 3 Simomulyo Baru, Urban Village in Surabaya. Based on interviews, the majority of the elderly didn't felt loneliness, the 'guyup' culture as social support to the elderly. They also experience in gerotranscendence. Social support and internal agent aspects have implication to elderly loneliness experience.
