ATTITUDES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS TOWARD OLDER ADULTS
The topic of this study is the perception of older adults by younger persons. This introduction provides background information on the topic, and a statement of the purpose of this study.
The information related to perceptions of older adults by younger persons that is presented in this section represents the findings of a review of the literature of gerontological studies related to the actual behaviors of older adults, and to the perceptions of these behaviors by younger persons. Theories, methodologies, and research findings are discussed as relevant.
Persons aged 65 years old or older account for approximately 12 percent of the American population (Hunter, 1994, p. 1271). The average life span in the United States has increased from an expected 70 years in the mid-1960s to 78 years today. The expected life span for women is greater than that for men. While the 65 years old and over group is the fastest growing segment of the overall American population, the 75 years old and over group is the fastest growing segment among those aged 65 years or older. Prior to the 1970s, the 75 years old and over segment of the population was too small to merit much attention as a separate population segment. At the beginning of the 1990s, however, this segment of the population merits a great deal of special attention.
In the contemporary period, 38 percent of householders in the 65-74 age group live alone. At present also, more than half of the single householders live in single-family homes, and, by 2000, this proportion is expected to be 58 percent. Where the majority of persons in the 65-74 age group live with another person, over half of those aged 75 years old and older live alone. When they are not in nursing homes, the majority of persons aged 75 years old and older live in single-family dwellings. A majority of persons aged 75 years and older are already isolated as ...