Knowledge of Aging and Attitudes Toward Older People by Communication Sciences and Disorders Students

Abstract

he demographics of aging are changing dramatically, and the number of older adults is growing rapidly. The U.S. Census Bureau (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010) projected that by the year 2030, one in five U.S. residents will be age 65 years or older, and the number of U.S. residents of this age will double from 40.2 million in 2010 to 88.5 million in 2050. The fastest growing age group consists of individuals age 85 years or older, and their number is projected to more than triple, from 5.8 million in 2010 to 19 million in 2050 (Vincent & Velkoff, 2010). More Americans are living longer because the leading cause of death during the last century has 1981, 1998) provided a direct measure of the students' knowledge of aging and an indirect measure of their attitudes toward older people. Results: Students in the present study were generally lacking in knowledge about aging and tended to have ageist attitudes and perceptions about older adults. Multiple regression analysis found that students' level of knowledge about aging and older adults was best predicted by their level of knowledge about communication disorders in older adults, number of non-CSD major courses taken in gerontology, and age. Conclusion: Results from the study suggest a need for further investigation of how undergraduate CSD programs can begin to prepare future communication disorders specialists who will serve older adults with communication disorders. KEY WORDS: aging, scholarship of teaching and learning, students ReFeRenCeS American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1988, March). The roles of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in working with older persons. Asha, 30, pp. 80-84. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Frailty vs. Wise as Thematic Verbatim Perceptions of Aging from College Students Enrolled in a Health and Aging Course

“…The results of this study are consistent with the literature that intergenerational service-learning reduces negative perceptions of older adults and promotes a better understanding of the aging process among undergraduate students Knapp & Stubblefield, 2000). Similar to Vandersberger et al and Darling's findings, students were initially hesitant and resistant to engage in the service-learning projects, however, as they began developing relationships with the older adults, their perceptions became more positive (Darling, 2016;Vandersberger & Wakefield, 2008).…”

“…The current body of literature suggests that service-learning experiences provide students with a greater understanding of older adults and may decrease negative perceptions about older adults among the undergraduate student population . In order to break the chain of stereotypes for older adults, universities should further explore how courses on health and aging with an intergenerational service-learning component impact undergraduate students' perceptions of older adults and the aging process (Darling, 2016).…”

Undergraduates Knowledge, Attitudes, and Anxiety About Aging, and Interest in Working With Older Adults the Role of Participation in a Course on Aging

“…The changes in population distribution by age underline the need for individuals who have proper knowledge about, positive attitudes toward, and interest in working with older adults (2). Previous studies have shown that poor knowledge about aging is associated with both negative attitudes and feelings about aging and low interest in working with older adults (3,4). It is expected that psychology graduates will be working with older adults on aging problems more than ever.…”

Graduate Student Retention of Prerequisite Course Content

“…Other studies have revealed students' limited knowledge of African American English (AAE) ( Wilson Ottley & Bland Stewart, 2010), difficulty identifying the major risk factors for stroke (Terry, Marshall, Lankford, Pittman, & Ellis, 2008), students' ageist attitudes and limited knowledge of aging (Darling, 2016). As the aging population grows in the U.S., these areas of knowledge will continue to be more important and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) instructors will have the task of ensuring that students leave school with a better understanding of aging and a less ageist attitude towards the aging populations' abilities.…”