AP/SOSC 4150 3.00

Aging And Caregiving

Crosslisted: AP/SOSC 4150

We will examine the perceptions and the reality of caring for an older person.

There are personal, family and societal implications as we look at innovations in caregiving, dealing with various disabilities and illnesses. We examine breakthroughs as well as barriers to care. Technology, music, continuing education, brain studies are a few exciting areas to explore.

We will also examine the myths and realities of aging in societies and relate them to experiences to growing old in families and communities. Mass media depictions of the aged, issues of ageism, family dynamics, gender roles and abuse of the elderly are among the issues we will explore in terms of the social construct of age. The field of social gerontology is expanding with great rapidity. We examine theories and concepts that emerge from this research.