Introduction to Sociology and Aging

As people enter old age, they face challenges such as ageism, poverty, or abuse. Ageism, which involves stereotyping and discrimination against the elderly, leads to misconceptions about their abilities. Although elderly poverty has been improving for decades, many older people may be detrimentally and disproportionately affected by the 2008 recession. Some elderly people grow physically frail and thus more dependent on caregivers, which may increase the possibility of elder abuse.