Assignment:
This assignment is designed to help you review concepts and terms we've covered during the semester and apply them to an older person in your life. You may choose to interview someone you know well or someone you'd like to get to know better_ You may NOT "interview" yourself.
Instructions
1. Choose a person to interview who is age 65 or older (if you are over 55. interview someone 10 or more years older than you).
2. Choose a social theory of aging discussed in your Aging Matters text to apply to the person you have chosen (e.g. continuity theory. life course perspective. feminist theory. role theory. etc.).
3. Prior to the interview. develop a list of questions to help you understand the person's:
o History
o Family and social network
o Functional capacity
o Values
o Explore how the theory you chose applies to the person.
Make sure to INCLUDE YOUR LIST OF QUESTIONS AS AN ATTACHMENT TO THE PAPER. Sample questions are provided below.
4. After conducting your interview. write a 3 to 4 page paper (double-spaced) summarizing the interview using relevant gerontology terms and concepts. Include:
A. Why you chose this person.
B. Summary of the person's history. social network. functional capacity, and values.
C. How the interview reinforced (or -failed to reinforce) the theory you explored.
D. Your conclusions.
E. Your list of questions.
Tips for interviews
. Schedule the interview at a convenient time and keep it brief and to the point.
. Think of ways to start the interview to establish rapport.
. Be prepared to ask questions in different ways in case the person does not understand your original question. Think of follow-up questions to learn more.
. Respect the person's wishes to avoid topics they don't want to talk about.
. Be sure you draw out the information that will help you respond to the questions.
. When you get a short answer to an important question. use a follow-up question like "how did you feel about that?' Listen for themes and follow up on them.
Sample Questions (Optional)
Please feel free to develop your own questions. Be creative!
The following questions are examples of ways to draw out information:
History
- What are the important milestones or turning points in your life?
- What events stand out to you from your 20s? 40s? 60s?
• Family and social network
- Who are the most important people in your life? How often do you communicate??
- Who do you trust and depend on? Who understands you best?
• Functional capacity
- Describe a typical day_ What activities do you enjoy?
- Are there chores, activities, or errands you need help with? If so, who helps you?
• Values
- If a young person asked you what's the most important thing for living a good life. what would you say?
- What makes you proud of your children?
- What person/people in history do you admire and why?
• Theories of Aging
- Continuity theory: How have you changed over your lifetime? In what ways have you stayed the same?
- Feminist theory: How has being a woman shaped your life? How do you think your daughters' or granddaughters' lives are different from yours?
- Life course theory. What events occurred during your life that deeply affected you?
- Role theory: What roles have you played in your life? Which were the most important. challenging, enjoyable? How have they changed over time?