Modernization and the status of the frail elderly: Perspectives on continuity and change

Abstract

Regardless of whether important changes in the status and roles of the young-old have occurred as societies modernize, attitudes and behavior toward frail, dependent elders have been remarkably consistent over time and place: though sometimes tolerated, they have never been valued. This paper reviews the evidence for their continuing low status over time, using four overlapping perspectives: the frail elderly as resource, as impediment, as low priority, and as victim. The conclusion is that over the course of human history there has been more continuity than change for the frail elderly as assets, as burden, and as low priority. But processes associated with modernization, especially in the medical sphere, have exacerbated their plight as potential victims; death-hastening and delayed death are the two major types of victimization discussed. Finally, implications for aging societies worldwide are considered.

Women as Family Caregivers:

“…recognise the present contradictions between the changing role of the family and the demands put on the family" (1990, p.10). Logue (1990) makes a similar point when she says "The powers of medicine cannot restore frail elders to a reasonable quality of life either, so families and their dying relatives are left to cope as best they can within a Downloaded by [McGill University Library] at 08:30 13 December 2014 system ill-prepared to deal with the problems it has created" (p.364). The complexity and duration of the care needed does not fit into the traditional expectation of family caregiving from the past.…”

The Power of Older Women and Men in Egyptian and Tunisian Families

“…The intergenerational power of older adults also is likely to shift with changes in the economy and society. Modernization theorists posit that the status of older adults inevitably declines with improvements in education, urbanization, economic technology, and health technology because the obsolescence of skills among older adults lowers their value to society (e.g., Cowgill, 1972; Logue, 1990; Nugent, 1990; Palmore & Whittington, 1971; Pampel & Weiss, 1983). Research shows, however, that the status of the older population may decline during the early stages of development but rises again as modernization proceeds (Dowd, 1981; Ishii‐Kuntz & Lee, 1987; Maddox, 1979; Palmore & Manton, 1974).…”

Nutrition and Healthy Functioning in the Developing World

“…Initially, with the emergence of chronic diseases, it is likely that there will not be as much disability as in developed countries, because income and health care standards will not support frail elderly for too long and many disabled elderly will likely die rather than survive with their diseases into older age, as shown in Taiwan (23). However, as more health technology reaches populations and their standard of living improves, more frail elderly are likely to survive for longer periods of time (24). A number of studies have shown that in traditional societies, frail elderly are less respected and less valued than healthier elders and are subject to poor and death-hastening treatment (25,26).…”