Alternatives to Family Care for Dependents

The global population is expanding quickly. Many people are moving to other locations in search of work because the population density in some areas has reached saturation. The number of live births has sharply increased with advancements in healthcare services. The working population has a duty to take care of the resulting children and provide for their necessities. Enhanced healthcare has also caused an increase in the number of elderly people (Bengtsson, 2010). The great majority of them are ineffective. Their fundamental necessities are met by the working population. America's aging population continues to put a heavy burden on the working population who do not have enough time due to tight work schedules with some of them having to work three of four jobs to earn a decent income.

Globalization has brought with it increased competition as firms reach out to new markets. Businesses that once benefitted from the local markets now have to fight it out with new entrants into their space. Employees can now work from anywhere in the world. People seeking better pay have had to work in distant places. Some have even had to relocate at times to access greater opportunities The adjustments they make in their lives, and schedules leave the old without anyone to care for them. Since children are more flexible than the old people, the working people prefer moving at times. For this reason, children have better access to care though not sufficient. Parents can check on them after work. A house-help may be hired to care for them during the day or while the parents are at work.

The emergence of the issue of care for the old and the young has made most people to develop strategies that serve as alternatives. The relevance of the strategies depends on the unique needs and preferences that may vary from one person to the next. Some of the aged, usually retirees, have been forced to venture into income generating activities while there are also those who have sort refuge in retirement homes specifically designed to cater for their needs. Both initiatives by the old to survive have a negative psychological bearing impacting their mental health.

The rise of the high dependence ratio is brought about by some developmental factors such as government policy, economic and population growth, calamities that lead to the death of children and other natural factors (United States. Administration for Children & Research, 2016, p. 114). There is need to evaluate the different alternatives that are available in providing care to the young and old member of the society, and determination made on the most effective approach.

Summary of Research

There has been an extensive exploration of the issue of care for the young and old by numerous scholars worldwide. Research conducted by Lloyd (2012) on the different types of care given to particular groups of people in Asia and North America identified culture as a major factor influencing the decisions made by the families on the kind of attention to offer their dependents. According to the report, cultural factors will affect the choice of care and the person hired to provide it. For instance, in some cultures, there is a belief that provision of care needs to be done by someone who understands their traditions and is committed to upholding them. The role of this particular requirement is seen in the case of children who need to grow up according to their people's way of life.

Among the elderly, the sources of income are inadequate given that many of them have already gone into retirement with a few enjoying retirement benefits that are in some cases inadequate. This makes them vulnerable and sometimes unable to meet their needs. The Asian and North American states acknowledge the care gap resulting from the situation and are taking steps aimed at finding a reliable and lasting solution. However, there is variation in the approach taken by the two regions in addressing the issue.

Most Asian countries have resorted to the employment of care workers especially when it comes to adult care. There has also been a significant expansion in public childcare programs that help in guaranteeing quality care for the children whose parents are unable to accord them the relevant attention due to tight schedules (Lloyd 2012). Setting up numerous preschools has been one of the most noticeable initiatives that have as a result attracted many as the demand for the service keeps rising.

The report by the United States Administration titled “Child care and development fund administrative data, the federal fiscal year 2013” explores the debate on whether care for the old should be provided at home or in a retirement home where the old stay and receive specialized treatment. The article lists six main considerations in settling for the better alternative between two. They include the location and accessibility of care, availability of support, isolation, medical condition, and finances. The report further articulates the different factors to consider before settling for the option of home care (The United States Administration, 2013). Such factors may include but are not limited to household maintenance, transportation, relevant home modification, personal care, and healthcare.

In “Delegating home care for the elderly to external caregivers? An empirical study on Italian data,” an article in the Economics Review Journal, the authors refer to aging as a crisis. The benefits given to the old upon retirement are not sufficient to meet their needs. The retirees tend to rely on the goodwill of family, friends, and well-wishers to make ends meet. Their predicament is compounded by their increased vulnerability to many illnesses. They need special medical care which comes at an extra cost. The health insurance policies of their former employers are usually terminated immediately they stop working. (Lippi Bruni & Ugolini, 2016). Retirement also means a disruption of their social life as they can no longer afford some of the luxuries that they were previously used to, a situation that may cause psychological issues.

The authors explore some of the alternatives the old have in accessing relevant care given their limitations. They analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each of the alternatives. With regard to the shortcomings, one of the most notable ones is stress in coping up with the new environment as Pavolini and Ranci (2008) postulate. An affected individual will suffer emotional trying to adapt to a new life among strangers. Some will feel like a useless person left to die. However, with time, most of them get used to the situation. As they adjust, they may from to time have memories of their previous lives in their homes that could trigger sorrow. There is, however, there are merits to old care homes approach. One of them is guaranteed health care. The staffs at such facilities have profound knowledge on diseases associated with old age given their long-term experience in handling the elderly. The old also enjoy the benefit of interacting with their peers who can relate to some of their experiences. This accords them a sense of belonging and improve their feelings of self-worth.

The second alternative, home care, in caring for old persons is also a viable one depending on the specific nature of the situation at hand. Pavolini and Ranci (2008), note that the approach has several advantages. There is no need to adapt to a new environment as one will maintain the company of their family anytime they are present. Homecare brings with greater freedom in terms of mobility and kind of activities that he or she can engage in. With their many years of experience in handling various experiences in life, the old may help their family get through situations where difficult decisions have to be made. The alternative also has its shortcomings that one may want to consider before giving it a serious thought. A person under homecare might not get the required treatment when they need it most. They may claim to be okay just to save their families from too much worrying when in reality they are suffering. Family members may on their part fail to notice vital signs of health complications which when not checked promptly may lead to further complications. The result may be a late diagnosis that may prove ineffective. Research showed that the elderly who are left at home are more likely to die of diseases than those who are under the care facility. However, the likelihood of the ones at the care facility dying of emotional and psychological disorders is compared to those at home.

According to Pilapil (2016), the United Kingdom has seen an upsurge in the number of childcare centers as many investors find it a lucrative opportunity. The government has found it a viable alternative in ensuring all children have access to the best possible care given that some parents are too busy to find the amount of time needed to give their children the right amount of attention. As a result, the government has set guidelines for the establishment of childcare centers as well as policies to govern the operations of such facilities. The services to be provided at the facilities are clearly defined to ensure that the children’s rights are not neglected. There is a description of the type of people to work in these areas. From a neglected venture a few years back, the care services have recently attracted the interest of many entrepreneurs leading to stiff competition among industry players. With the frenzy of activities in the sector, concern is on the quality of the services offered by some of the latest entrants into the market (Pilapil et al., 2016). Parents still have a responsibility of doing a background check to ensure that their children are well taken care of while at the child care centers.

Pundits argue that childcare is simple compared to adult care given that children are still in their learning stage and have less to worry about. They can be trained to feel comfortable even when away from their parents. While away from there parents, they get learn independence. They develop confidence and also have an easy time socializing with other children keeping their minds busy which help to avoid feelings of loneliness (Films Media Group). They learn to make independent decisions at a young age and become more creative and self-sufficient to some extent. They develop a connection with their caregivers which helps feels the void left by a parent. Children under childcare facility will be good at decision-making.

Policy Implications or Recommendations

Those employing the services of care centers need to appraise them. Their reviews of the various facilities will help other potential users to make informed choices. It will also encourage care providers to ensure they provide quality services. The various governments should through the relevant agencies their oversight role to help boost the confidence of parents in the services offered by the care facilities. A strict certification criterion is necessary when registering new entrants. Proper vetting of persons wishing to work with the facilities will help ensure the safety of those under their care and avert cases of missing persons. The vetting should also check their social skills to ensure they do interact well with those under their care to avoid feelings of neglect common with the old.

Given the crucial role that care centers play in the current world, there is need for the government to ease up the process of registering them. Potential care givers are not taking up the trade due to the long durations it takes to register one. Entrepreneurs prefer putting their money on other more lucrative ventures that guarantee faster returns. Quickening the registration process will encourage competition which will help improve the quality of care as each care center strives to outshine the other and gain an edge in the market.

Another relevant policy would be one that prohibits care centers engaging in practices that are disrespectful to any of the cultures of any of the persons under their care. People value their culture and usually find it demeaning when someone devalues it. Care centers should be encouraged to hire persons from varying cultural backgrounds to enable them to understand and tolerate persons from various cultures. The quality of need to be compromised due to bias by some caregivers that emanate from their hatred or dislike for certain cultures. Laws need to put forth severe measures for anyone found to discriminate anyone under their care based on their difference in terms of race, color or language. A great way to overcome the temptation to discriminate is through learning about the different cultures to gain a understanding of the reasons behind certain actions of other people.

The urban culture has caused people to migrate from their rural homes to nearby cities for white-collar jobs. In this event, they abandon the elderly, who are jobless and need access to care. In the wake of an increase in this behavior, the government ought to encourage people to give back in whatever manner, whether in service or money. Such an initiative will help to create mechanisms that will help to alleviate the pains of the old and weak in the society. In that process the number of people who are unattended is bound to decrease, thus reducing pressure on the primary care centers. It is also advantageous as it keeps families together, thus reducing the psychological impact of a possible separation on an individual.

Early preparation most likely reduces one’s pain whenever there are looming changes. One of the ways to tackle the issue is through the encouragement of the citizens to embrace the culture of saving for a rainy day. Such funds come in handy whenever an individual is found in crises, such as diseases. Old age is one reason for which people should save so that they live a good life after employment commitment years. Encouraging people to always consider healthcare as one of the fundamental steps into ensuring the wellbeing of a society. Therefore, certain funds may be allocated from one’s salary during the active years for the purpose of saving for a time when they are elderly and in need of support. In all the above plans, policy still remains the center of focus. This remains the responsibility of stakeholders and the government representatives as well as the management in making decisions that are supportive of adequate support of care.

The government needs to come up with policies that ensure the allocation of more resources into the care of adults. Unlike children who have their working parents to cover for the care center costs, most of the elderly persons have a hard time finding persons to fund for their stay at the facilities. The old are persons who have contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the economy and as such, they ought to be shown some gratitude through funding of their care center costs. Such a step will encourage those in active employment to work even harder knowing that the country will show appreciation for their services later on by catering for some of the basic needs. For instance, the government may set up a program that offers the old some monthly stipend to cater for some of their basic needs until they die. It would be a good picture and example for other countries to follow. Those benefitting from such a program must also be persons with good past records that indicate respect for a high moral standing. Such a move will promote positive behavior in the society and develop law-abiding citizens who are good examples to future generations.

Conclusion

Clearly, care of the dependent population is an important responsibility that has to be provided despite a shift in people's schedules, and way of life puts pressure on their time leaving them with little time to attend to their family. Over time, there have been alternatives that have come up offering those with the old or young to care for an opportunity to focus on their work. The main one is that of care centers some of which are designed for children while others are designed for adults. They specialize in offering services that family members would offer if they had the time to do it. They are becoming increasingly popular. Care facilities have their benefits and shortcomings. One of the benefits is specialized care offered by experts in the area of care. Most of them are experts who have undergone training in the relevant field. Another advantage is that the family members who were supposed to take care of the dependents get enough time to focus on their work and increase their productivity. Disadvantages include high cost of the care services and an increase lack of a good connection with family members.

Unlike children, the elderly have a choice on whether or not to opt for the care centers. A child may be forced to lead a life that they do not like due to their limitation when it comes to decision-making. However, the facilities can offer children the opportunity to develop skills such as self-confidence and creativity which are vital in the decision-making process. The children are usually under the care of experts who understand the best approaches to helping children grow wholesomely and make the best use of the opportunities they have in the environment around them as they grow. The parents of such children do not have to worry about how best to mold their children due to lack of skills on their part as there is someone else checking on them and is able to recommend the best way of bringing up such a child. Players in the care industry need to embrace appropriate practices in caring for the children and the elderly. The government should also be involved in ensuring the standards set for such facilities are strictly adhered to at all times. It has a significant regulatory role that will ensure that the quality of care accorded to the dependents is the best possible.

Addendum

This assignment depicts a situation whereby tasks are being broken down into smaller ones that are more specific and assigned to persons best placed to handle them. For instance, the dependents are taken away from the family member who is left to focus on his day job. The task of looking at them is handed over to the care facilities which are specialized in giving care and as such more professional and efficient in the role. The facilities are also divided into those that care for the old and the ones whose focus is on children. With such subdivision of duties, each person concentrates on their areas of their perfection. The requirements of the rubric require one to clearly show how the alternatives help make easier for the family member towards whom the dependency was directed. The concepts captured in this report apply to different situations and can be construed as McDonaldization at play in higher education. The idea of understanding family care has been an issue that has affected the people at higher education most. The knowledge of these concepts will have a McDonaldization effect on higher education in the way they capture the four primary components of concept. For instance, the knowledge in this report is based on scholarly article reviews on the care of the dependent population. It presents a measure of the efficiency of the method of care chosen. Weighing the standards of the facility will ensure that the services offered are predictable and that they are in line with the requirements of the family. For instance, they aid in making correct choices based on the target goals which are realistic and measurable. The population will also have control over the choice made through close monitoring of the progress.

Summary of the Paper

The aim of the paper is to explore the alternatives to family care of dependents in a world that has become globalized affecting the availability of family members in attending to their dependents. The first point in the paper is the role of globalization in the change is working conditions. The paper looks at the alternatives to family care when caring for the old and children. The benefits and shortcomings of the options are covered. There is also a comparison made between homecare for both children and adults, against the services provided by care facilities. After the conclusion, there is a look at the recommendations that when implemented can help better the quality of services at care facilities given their indispensable role in the current setting where most of the working class are too busy.

References

Bengtsson, T. (2010). Population ageing - a threat to the welfare state?: The case of Sweden. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.

Films Media Group. (2010). Aged care: Communicating with family and carers. Films Media Group. Retrieved from http://www.films.com/ecTitleDetail.aspx?TitleID=95435

Lloyd, L. (2012). Health and care in ageing societies: A new international approach. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press Books.

Lippi Bruni, M. & Ugolini, C. (2016). Delegating home care for the elderly to external caregivers? An empirical study on Italian data. Review of Economics of the Household, 14(1), 155-183.

Pavolini, E., & Ranci, C. (2008). Restructuring the welfare state: Reforms in long-term care in Western European countries. Journal of European Social Policy, 18, 246-259.

Pilapil, M., DeLaet, D. E., Kuo, A. A., Peacock, C., & Sharma, N. (2016). Care of adults with chronic childhood conditions: A practical guide. New York, NY: Springer.

United States Administration for Children. (2016). Child care and development fund administrative data, Federal fiscal year 2013. Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research.