Aging Population In America
Within the aging population in America, there are many influences that this population has made in society on an economic and social level. In regards to the economy, there seems to be a concern on the amount of funding that is available to assist the aging population. The Older American Act (OAA) of 1965, provided funding to states to conduct research and create programs for those that were aging (Capella Library Media, 2016). The need for government funding to secure programs, such as, long term services and supports (LTSS) was crucial back in the 1900’s when the population of aging adults was approximately around 31.2 million (Capella Library Media, 2016). Within the 21st century, the aging population has gradually increased to over 40
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million, which signifies that the need for funding should increase as well. Consequently, there have been several services that were funded through the OAA that are now limiting older Americas to receiving these service. For instance, in 2006 when the OAA was amended there were “federal budget cuts, inadequate funding, and difficulty securing congressional reauthorization” when it comes to providing LTSS (Wheeler & McClain, 2015, p. 208). The main ethical concerns when it comes to the lack of economic support from the government is, quality of life. Is there a concern of the growing numbers of aging adults, that the economy will be negatively impacted by the growing cost of services? Based on the changes in the economy, the answer to this question is no. The economy will not be negatively impacted by the aging population, however, there needs to be economic support for LTSS for the aging adults so that they can continue living a quality life.
Based on the budget cuts and the lack of funded programs available to the aging population, brings up the social impact that affects the society.
Due to the lack of services being provided for the aging population, it requires the families of the aging adults to step into the role as the primary caregivers and providers. Therefore, the family member has to adjust their income, their health, and livelihood to provide the emotional and financial support to their aging family member. Literature shows that taking on this role leads to major changes, such as, organization of household and the lack of social engagements (Friedemann & Buckwalter, 2014). Caregivers give up their social identity when it comes to emotional and physical strains that can occur to taking on this responsibility. Wheeler & McClain (2015) explain how another significant change has been the decrease in fertility rates due to the majority of caregiving roles being females. Due to these changes being made, the main ethical concerns when it comes to families taking on the role as caregivers is, support. Are families obligated to adjust their lives without the public or private sector’s support to become caregivers of the aging? Based on the research, the answer to this question is yes. There are not many options that a family may have when it comes to an aging family member and when there is a lack of funded LTSS to rely on, they have no other choice but to take on the caregiver
role.
million, which signifies that the need for funding should increase as well. Consequently, there have been several services that were funded through the OAA that are now limiting older Americas to receiving these service. For instance, in 2006 when the OAA was amended there were “federal budget cuts, inadequate funding, and difficulty securing congressional reauthorization” when it comes to providing LTSS (Wheeler & McClain, 2015, p. 208). The main ethical concerns when it comes to the lack of economic support from the government is, quality of life. Is there a concern of the growing numbers of aging adults, that the economy will be negatively impacted by the growing cost of services? Based on the changes in the economy, the answer to this question is no. The economy will not be negatively impacted by the aging population, however, there needs to be economic support for LTSS for the aging adults so that they can continue living a quality life.
Based on the budget cuts and the lack of funded programs available to the aging population, brings up the social impact that affects the society.
Due to the lack of services being provided for the aging population, it requires the families of the aging adults to step into the role as the primary caregivers and providers. Therefore, the family member has to adjust their income, their health, and livelihood to provide the emotional and financial support to their aging family member. Literature shows that taking on this role leads to major changes, such as, organization of household and the lack of social engagements (Friedemann & Buckwalter, 2014). Caregivers give up their social identity when it comes to emotional and physical strains that can occur to taking on this responsibility. Wheeler & McClain (2015) explain how another significant change has been the decrease in fertility rates due to the majority of caregiving roles being females. Due to these changes being made, the main ethical concerns when it comes to families taking on the role as caregivers is, support. Are families obligated to adjust their lives without the public or private sector’s support to become caregivers of the aging? Based on the research, the answer to this question is yes. There are not many options that a family may have when it comes to an aging family member and when there is a lack of funded LTSS to rely on, they have no other choice but to take on the caregiver
role.