Legal and social definition of the aged
Social Definition
• Is when an individual becomes old or elderly and therefore is placed in the group often referred to as the aged. This can vary on a number of factors such as physical and mental factors. A social definition does not normally refer to a specific age. • The general retirement for the aged is between the 65 years for men and 60 years for women. This is a generalisation as men and women can retire before or after this age. • Ageing is a very personal adjustment, for some they can age quicker than others. The main sign of aging from an objective view will be the physical change, such as wrinkles, gray hair and walking support, so that is physical change. Aging can a mental and inner change, not just a physical change. • Elderly members of society are often seen as not as efficient in day-to-day activities, compared to when they were younger. This leads to old people going to nursing homes and getting carers to help them function in their everyday lives. • Society determines whether a person is old or not on the basis of chronological age or appearance. The aged are often defined as those in the last one-third to one-quarter of the life span. However, to a young child a teenager can seem to be aged due to the difference in age and looks. Another example is well functioning 65 year old, they can see the aged to be over the age of 80, and not see them self to be in the aged group. It can be based on a person’s own age and vision on old people.
Legal Definition
• “Those individuals who are 65 years and over” (ABS) • In some states in Australia, the government has modified regulations regarding the mandatory retirement age and allowed employees to continue working past the age of 65 years. This has also impacted on the benefit age that older people can gain access to government support and funding. • The legal definition of aged does not look at appearance like the