the number of years that an average person at any age, including newborns, can expect to live
life expectancy
refers to the growing percentage of older people in the U.S. population
graying of America
the maximum length of life of a species; for humans, the longest that a human has lived
life span
the relative value placed on men's and women's age
gender age
prejudice, discrimination, and hostility directe against people becauese of their age; can be directed against any age group, including youth
ageism
people born at roughly the same time who pass through life course together
age cohort
the view that society prevents disruption by having the elderly vacate their position of responsibility so the younger generation can step into their shoes
disengagement theory
the view that satisfaction during old age is related to a person's amount of quality of activity
activity theory
the focus of this theory is how people adjust to retirement by continuing aspect of their earlier lives
continuity theory
the number of workers who are required to support one dependent person age 15 or younger or 65 and older
dependancy ratio
a place (or services brought to someone's home) for the purpose of giving comfort and dignity to a dying person