The Ageing Population

There are many different problems that an ageing population creates for society. There are many reasons why there is an increase in the ageing population, as Item B states “In common with many western societies, the United Kingdom has an ageing population. Rising life expectancy and a relatively low birth rate have meant that the average age of the population is rising”. Also the decline in fertility has led to an increased amount of people who are over the age of 65 and this poses many different issues within society.

Canada is currently a very prosperous issue. However, there are a number of potential issues that could threaten this prosperity. These issues are economic, political, social and demographic in nature. In many cases these issues are a combination of economic, political, social and demographic factors.

With the aging society in America means that there will be larger number of older people than young people. As a result of this fewer people will have to pay taxes to support public necessities and there will be fewer young people to provide services for the elders. This will also highly affect the health care in America because many seniors will have a chronic illness and there will be a shortage of healthcare workers to assist them. This will affect retirement because retirement income is made up of welfare payments, savings, and public and private pensions. Most publicly financed retirement pensions are funded by programs or most commonly know, social security. Social security is a universal income support program for elders and is usually

According to Statistics Canada, aging population has steadily increased since the mid-1960. The age of 65 and older comprised 15.7% of the country’s population. Promoting health in these aging population is very crucial to minimise the severity of health complications that might occur in the long run. Gerontological Nursing involves the care of aging people and emphasize the promotion of the highest possible quality of life and wellness throughout the lifespan (Eliopoulos, c2014 p73). Aging people need Gerontological Nurses who are knowledgeable and willing to promote health and optimum quality of life with the consideration of their core needs such as physiological balance, connection and gratification (Eliopoulos, c2014 p78).

The recent growth in the number of older adults in the United States is unusual in the history of America. The anticipation of the elderly population (65+) by the year 2050 will be almost 89million people, or greater than the population of the elderly in the year 2010 (CDC 2013).

Back in twentieth century, a tiny fragment of mere 5% population was comprised of people aged 65 and above. A little spike in this segment was observed during the period of 1950s-1960s; however, that spike was not significant and restricted to 8% of entire population (Chart 1.1). Many factors were responsible for the small proportion of senior population, the most prominent one though, low life expectancy, high fertility/birth rates and limitation of health services.

Health care has been an issue for the United States for several years. Universal health care has still not been accomplished, and this means there are many people uninsured across the country who could be seeking medical attention, but cannot afford it. Another problem recently surfaced for the United States. This problem is the aging population. There are many factors that have contributed to the aging population, and they greatly effect health care.

Loss is defined as the experience of having something taken from you or destroyed (Loss, 2016). In the senior population losses become more common and frequent due to dwindling health circumstances, among other circumstances. “Functional losses experienced by the elderly include physical performance, balance, mobility, and muscle strength” (Nakano, Otonari, Takara, Carmo & Tanaka, 2014, p. 583). Situational or circumstantial losses may be the loss of a partner or the loss of a home due to being transferred into a retirement home or health care facility. Losses are enhanced by any diseases a person may have making it more difficult to deal with these losses. “Taking a look at diabetes; diabetes plays a key role in many individuals in the older adult population lives, more than 25% of adults over the age of 65 in America have been diagnosed with diabetes” (Kirkman, 2012, p. 2650). This disease alters the rate of which losses are experienced and in turn how the elderly grief over the loss. “Diabetic patients are more likely to experience depression and diabetic patients are more likely to undergo amputation from limb loss” (Spiess, McLemore, Zinyemba, Ortiz & Meyr, 2014, p. 1068). Being diagnosed with diabetes impacts every aspect of one’s life and creates difficulties in caring for oneself that need to be dutifully addressed.

The aging of the population will have wide-ranging implications for the country (Ortman, Velkoff, & Hogan, 2014). By “aging,” demographers often mean that the proportion of the population in the older ages increases. As the United States ages over the next several decades, its older population will become more racially and ethnically diverse. The projected growth of the older population in the United States will present challenges to policy makers and programs, such as Social Security and Medicare. It will also affect families, businesses, and health care providers.

Increased tax burden on working age populationThe group of ‘oldest old’ (85 and over) have a age related health problems e.g. arthritis, dementia, and cancer.

The aging population in America is growing quickly and is projected to double by the year 2050. The current growth in the number and proportion of older adults in the United States is unprecedented in our nation’s history. By 2050, it is anticipated that Americans aged 65 or older will number nearly 89 million people (The State of Aging and Health in America, 2013). Along with this increase in the aging population, it is estimated that by the year 2020, 157 million Americans will have some form of chronic illness (Taking Care: Ethical Caregiving in Our Society, 2005). With advances in medicine, people are able to live longer lives with chronic illnesses that in the past resulted in a decreased life expectancy.

I believe the most pressing issue facing the aging population on a daily basis is financial security while living on a fixed income. Aging individuals’ sources of income include Social Security, employment, private pensions, and assets. The median household income for those 65 and older in 2007 was only $27, 798 (Hooyman & Kiyak, 2011). I chose financial security as the most pressing issue facing the older population because it influences several other areas. Sources of income for the aging population are sometimes insufficient to maintain proper housing, may cause health problems, and restricts access to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The difficulty that the lack of financial security can pose for an aging individual leads

The aging population in the United State is at risk for not only chronic health problems, but abuse including, physical, sexual, psychological/emotional, and/or financial. With the increase number of elders being seen by healthcare professionals it is important to know what suspicions to look for, to report accurately and appropriately.

In the beginning, when I began brainstorming about this competency I felt as if it was a demand need for everyone to be aware about. I have seen individuals being decline of services for a variety of reasons, and it makes earning those services harder when they aren’t within personal reach. I witnessed this during my placement, as well as my personal life. During my placement, I realized that the elderly population still often have the chance to be denied for services, support and have their rights being acknowledged.

From 1970 to the year 2000, the world's over-60 population is projected to increase by more than 90 percent" . This is an astonishing number, seeming how the total population was predicted to grow by less than 75 percent . "The most prominent feature of the looming shift in the composition of the working-age population is, of course, its increasing age" . It is hard to say what will happen when suddenly there will be an abundance of older people who are preparing to retire.