Issues Faced by the Aging Population

Identify 2 or 3 issues faced by the aging population.

1. Social Isolation
2. Job security
3. Health

Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

• What is ageism? How does ageism influence the presence of diversity in society?

Ageism is defined as prejudice and discrimination against older people. Schafer writes that for the ageist, elderly persons reflect the image of disease, death, and dying as well as a reminder that we will all be old one day. (2012, pp. 395-396). Another stereotype of the elderly is that they are slow and mentally dysfunctional

• What is the Age Discriminitation in Employment Act (ADEA)? How does the ADEA address issues for the aging population?

The ADEA is a federal law that prohibits age discrimination by employers with more than 20 employees that are over the age of 40, It also protects workers that are 40 years and older from being fired and then being replaced by someone that is younger in age. But it also works the other way around as if an older person was hired in place of a younger employee. Even with the ADEA in place all age groups are still fighting for their rights. ADEA has went as far as taking employer’s to court of age discrimination because someone being too old for a job (www.eeoc.gov ).

• What is being done to address the issues you identified?

Well for one Health is still a big issues that all ages are struggling with right now in today’s society. It is hard for someone to get health insurance if they can’t retire and older people don’t have the money to even pay for insurance.

• Is the number of aging population expected to rise in numbers or decrease?

• What types of legislation may or may not be affected by the aging population?

• How does poverty affect the aging population?

Part II

Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use.

• What does the ADA provide for people with disabilities?

• How have people with disabilities been treated in the past?

• How has the attitude toward people with disabilities changed over time?

• What are some unique circumstances or issues encountered by people with disabilities?

• What is being done to address those issues?

• What types of legislation have been introduced to address issues faced by people with disabilities?