Demographic Trends: The Ageing Population/ What do sociologists think? Flashcards Preview

Sociology: F&H Trends > Demographic Trends: The Ageing Population/ What do sociologists think? > Flashcards

Flashcards in Demographic Trends: The Ageing Population/ What do sociologists think? Deck (18)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

How many people 65 + were there in 2011?

A

9.5 million (1 in 6 of the population)

2
Q

In what year did the amount of people 65 + equal the number of under 15s?

A

2014

3
Q

Out of all households, how many are one-person pensioner households?

A

1 in 8

4
Q

What are the three factors that result in an ageing population?

A
  • increasing life expectancy, declining infant mortality, declining fertility
5
Q

What are the five effects of an ageing population?

A
  • effect on public services
  • one-person pensioner households
  • the dependency ratio
  • policy implications
  • ageism
6
Q

Although it is said that the elderly consume a large proportion of services than other age groups, why can’t we generalise?

A
  • many old people remain in relatively good health
7
Q

Why might an ageing population mean the need for more expenditure?

A
  • they might require changes to policies and the provision of housing, transport or other services eg. more bungalows/ care homes etc.
8
Q

Why are most one-person pensioner households female?

A
  • they live longer than men and they’re generally younger
9
Q

How many households are one-person pensioner households?

A

1 in 8

10
Q

What do we call the non-working old?

A
  • an economically dependent group (they rely on taxes to pay for pensions and healthcare)
11
Q

Give a statistic that shows it is wrong to assume that all old people are economically dependent

A
  • in 2020 men and women will have to wait until 66 to access state pension
12
Q

What is the main problem of an ageing population?

A
  • how to finance a longer period of old age
13
Q

What are the solutions to the problem of how to finance a longer period of old age?

A
  • paying more from savings and taxes while working and working for longer
14
Q

How would the housing policy have to change in response to an ageing population?

A
  • encouraging people to ‘trade down’ to smaller accommodation
15
Q

How would healthcare policy have to change in response to an ageing population?

A
  • less maternity services, more geriatric care
16
Q

Give some examples of ageism in response to an ageing population?

A
  • discrimination in employment and unequal health care treatment
17
Q

How do inequalities in class and gender remain important relating to the different experiences of old age?

A
  • the middle class have better pensions from their occupations and greater savings
  • poorer people have a shorter life expectancy and suffer more infirmity
  • women’s lower earnings and career breaks mean lower pensions
18
Q

Suggest some positives of an ageing population

A
  • evidence that medical care should have continued investment as it has had success in extending the life span
  • generates jobs in elderly care
  • we can learn from older generations
  • it encourages greater knowledge/ understanding
  • can help with childcare
  • opportunity to spend more time with loved ones
  • they may do volunteer work in retirement