The Influence Of Aging In America

doctor, then what are they to do? They can not just sit at home and

In America, people are changing their views on aging and the elderly. Some of the reasons that the attitudes are changing could be due to more elderly people are remaining in the work place longer, as opposed to retiring early. Riffkin (2014). And there is the fact that we baby boomers are living longer. Even though the U.S. only ranks 53rd with a life expectancy of 79. That’s an increase of one year since 2010. (“The World: Life Expectancy” 2016)

We all will one day face the reality of growing older. There are many aspects of this change that will affect us in a large way. According to the Merck Manual of Health and Aging, 1.5% of Americans are 85 or older. This research states that the number of people 100 years or older could rise from 1 out of 5,578 in the year 2000, to 1 out of 472 in the year 2050. It brings out that women have a longer life expectancy than men, among people aged 65 and older in the year 2000, there were 70 men for every 100 women. For people aged 85 and older the figure was 41 men for every 100 women. The site goes on to say that approximately 11% of Americans aged 65 and older are below the poverty line. (The Merck Manual of Health and Aging:

Mr. Henry and his wife need medical care coordinated throughout the health care system to receive proper treatment and prevent health complications, encouraging their independence by remaining in the same setting. Marek and Rantz highlight that by providing care coordination and health care services for older adults residing in specially designed senior apartments, older adults will not have to move from one level of care delivery to another as their health care needs increase; and they will have the opportunity to “age in place” (Marek & Rantz, 2000). Care coordination starts with a comprehensive assessment of each of Henry and Ertha individual needs for health and social support, and by developing an individualized plan of care for each of them. “Patients should be evaluated, and care plans should be designed and implemented according to the individual needs of each patient (American Geriatrics Society, 2012, p. 1966). As Mr. Henry and his wife health care needs increase, they can receive periodical physical examinations to monitor their underlying health problems, and for early detection of complications remaining in their apartment. This will prevent negative outcomes associated with relocation, and medications and treatment noncompliance.

Mrs Ann Smith is a seventy nine year old woman and she has several problems regarding her health and well-being in her elderly age. Many policies and legislation ensure the safety and well-being of the elderly such as Mrs Smith. Legislation and policies safeguard the elderly including Mrs Smith to receive the fair treatment of care and to stop discrimination and exclusion. Discrimination and exclusion is still prevalent today and within contemporary society the ageing population is rising, discrimination and exclusion could increase if it is not appropriately tackled by contemporary society today. There are numerous theories of ageing, some theories are disengagement theory, and the activity theory and these theories have developed key concepts and the effects of ageing on individuals and contemporary society today.

Something that American society has not experienced before is how to handle an aging population that is growing quickly and 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, or more than double the number of older adults in the United States in 2010 (The State of Aging and Health in America, 2013). Mirroring the aging of the U.S. population as a whole, the number of self-identified LGBT adults age 65 or older is expected to double by 2030 -- from 1.5 million to 3 million (Dennis, 2014). For a marginalized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community (LGBT), the choice of a health care surrogate to make medical decisions can be very difficult. Issues of discrimination, lack of legal and social support, varying levels of relationship commitment, and complications of disclosure to family and medical professionals (Buckey and Browning, 2013, p.233). The purpose of this research is to address end of life care issues facing the aging LGBT Community which include; issues with advance care planning and surrogate decision-making, issues with a partner and family involvement, and issues with healthcare provider-patient communication.

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).

I don’t mind typing in my information or filling out paperwork while I am at a doctor’s appointment. I am okay with either way, but others may not feel this way. I do feel like some people would type more into a computer instead of writing it all down or speaking with the medical professionals. In the article, The American Perspective on Aging and Health, a lot of elderly people feel frightened by new ideas or technology such as computers, Internet, social media, etc. It’s not because they are incompetent it’s because of their way of thinking. In my opinion, a doctor’s office should have an assistant that is kind, patient, and passionate about working with all populations. This assistant should assist the patients when they need help or become

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.

In the other hand, sometimes not matter how much you give of yourself, things don’t turn out the way it was planned, may be the economy is not strong yet, or it is not their time.

The United States’ population over 65 years of age is increasing as the baby boomers reach retirement age. Greater life expectancy is a result of people living longer with better nutrition, healthcare, and management of chronic diseases. In the primary care setting, where I work, we have a large patient population of older adults. Caring for middle-aged and elderly patients requires greater time and intensity than caring for most younger patients. It is not unusual for an elderly patient to have six or more chronic conditions and twelve or more prescription medications which require coordination and monitoring. Updated HIPAA consents and Health Care Proxy documents are essential to providing seamless care. Since primary care involves repeated encounters with patients over time, I am quite familiar with many of my patients and their families and, when appropriate, assist families to assure that these are documents are current. Additionally, I have had personal experience caring for an aging family member.

Through this information it is clearly see that older people, ages 65+ are at highest risk of falling when in the home environment. This is profoundly due to the individuals being more active with less support. Activities include cook, cleaning, dressing and cleansing self which all vital to maintain balanced ‘Activities of living’.

Social aging is referring to the changes in individual’s roles and relationship in the society as they age. There are many different theories concerning sociological aging. Social theories on aging examine the relationship between individual experiences and social institutions e.g., aging and retirement; aging and institutional care; aging and government policy etc (Barkan 2012). All have limitations, and some can be considered more than others when attempting to understand social changes in aging. Also individuals move through life surrounded by social support system. Some theories of aging such as, role theory, activity theory, modernization, etc. consist of different ways older adults transition through life such as, networks of relatives, friends, and organization that help provide emotional support and help in managing activities in daily living.

Many physical health problems tend to increase with age, and over half of the elderly population had at least one basic or complex activity difficulty/limitation in 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2017). Thus, living in a safe, supportive and stable environment is important for them. However, there were over 14.5% of the US elderly population living in poverty based on the Supplemental Poverty Measure that created by the US Census Bureau in 2016 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2018). It is therefore crucial to maintain and provide affordable and supportive housing to them in order to ensure their quality of life.

“Aging in place.” I must confess, when I first heard the term I found it somewhat depressing. Maybe the connotation the as you age you become stuck in place disturbed me. I don’t see myself willing to “age in place.” To my delight, the exact opposite is true! Aging in place simply means that as we age will be able to remain home by choice. Each and every year advances in “gero-technologies” ensure the health and safety of older adults is enhanced. These tech advances assist older adults in maintain safety, independence, social connections – well, the list goes on.