How the aging population's demographic trends are shifting research

Describe how the aging population's demographic trends are shifting. How will population dynamics affect the delivery of long-term care across the continuum?
Compared to the state during ancient times, the demographic trend for the aging population can only be represented as linear. This is especially true in light of advances in medicine and healthcare methods and other factors such as a focus on healthy diets free of pesticides and preservatives (Adler, 2013). These enhancements make it easier to provide long-term care across the spectrum. The world's population is aging at an alarming pace, according to the psychological science website. According to Adler (2013), what this implies is that there is a more substantial number of elderly individuals in relation to the young. This trend is brought about by two factors; that is, lower birthrate and reduction in the mortality rate.

In essence, a low birthrate signifies a more significant number of elderly individuals when compared to younger ones. This is especially in a scenario where birthrate was initially high at some time and was subjected to a steep decrease based on a variety of technological advancements. Such a trend is more likely to see a more substantial proportion of elderly individuals relative to the younger ones (Annenberg learner, 2017). Since there exists a variety of family planning and contraceptive measures, birthrate continues to decline, particularly in developed areas. Therefore, the population sees a net increase in terms of numbers of ageing individuals when compared to the younger ones.

Youtube (2012) explain that the world is currently experiencing an increase in the number of elderly individuals relative to two decades ago. The trend is strongly attributed to factors such as increased healthcare technique, which is highly efficient and induction of healthcare drugs. In essence, there is a net increase in the life expectancy of elderly individuals. Another factor, which is responsible for the rise in the population of older individuals, is the declining birthrate. This is in turn brought about by a collection of elements, which include adequate birth control measures and awareness. It leads to a larger population of elderly individuals in contrast to younger ones. According to Annenberg learner (2017), it is important to note that if the trend continues, the number of different aged individuals in a typical demographic setup will equalize, more or less.

What is ageism (as applied toward the aged)? Name three examples of ageism that you've witnessed, experienced, or perhaps even committed yourself. How are these instances damaging to older people and to the aging population?

Ageism refers to the act of deliberately (or unconsciously) discriminating an elderly individual on the grounds of their age (Annenberg learner, 2017). It occurs occasionaly in divergent ciscumnstances. Take, for example; a store has many cashier points where customers queue to make their payments. One of the cashiers is an elderly individual while the others are young and youthful. Notably, by contrast, the queue, which leads to the elder person’s cash register, is moving slowly when compared to the others (Palmore, 1999). If one of the individuals on the slow queue makes a remark about the age of the cashier being the cause of the slow service, he or she has participated in ageism.

In essence, I reminisce one time when we used to associate older people with bad traits of life. In reality, we used to associate the old with loneliness, forgetfulness and even disabilities and illnesses. In addition, we all saw nursing homes as a suitable substitute for them in light of the above negative traits. This is however mostly untrue since the majority of them lead healthy lives and are surrounded by a loving and caring families. Transgenerational Design Matters (2014) outlines that while the bit about illnesses is mostly correct, it is worthwhile noting that there are majority treatment methods, which serve to improve their living conditions. In essence, the mere thought of associating elderly individuals with such negative traits is ageism in the strictest sense. In fact, we often used to think that older individuals do not have rights similar to youthful ones. These acts of ageism serve to demean their character, and most of them end up feeling like burdens to the society.

What is “intergenerational conflict”? Should we be allocating more or fewer resources to the elderly or is the current allocation sufficient? Justify your response, taking into consideration factors such as the aging demographic, the role of culture, attitudes toward taxation, the cost of providing services, and the cost of NOT providing services

Transgenerational Design Matters (2014) claim that intergenerational conflict defines a conflicting situation between two or more generations. It usually involves acts of prejudice against one generation while the other is being excessively favoured. The favours often revolve around distribution of resources, which comprise of social, political and economic factors. Older individuals, as already described above, are characterized by a vast array of special needs. This is especially in cases where they are ailing from illnesses or are suffering from disabilities (Palmore, 1999). In essence, it is only logical for resources to be equitably distributed to them so that they can meet the said needs. Since the amount of needs dramatically varies between these age gaps, the youth cannot expect the same amount of resources to be distributed to them (Transgenerational Design Matters, 2014). Conclusively, resources should be mainly concentrated on elderly individuals since they have specialized needs.

The distribution should be thoroughly taken into account since younger individuals use these resources to increase production (Youtube, 2012). The advancements in technology stipulated above, have brought down the cost of medical care service provision hence allocating the resources to them will not affect the economy as much as one may think. In addition to the above, most cultures view taxation as applicable only toward the productive individuals of society. Allocating the resources toward them will be at the expense of younger individuals hence the economy will not suffer as much as one would expect (Transgenerational Design Matters, 2014). Summarily, distribution of resources toward the elderly would not affect the economy as adversely as one would ponder. It is also necessary taking into account their needs.

Using the theory of cumulative disadvantage, describe the influence of earlier life experiences, race, and gender on economic and health status in old age

The theory of cumulative disadvantage notes that inequality is a continuous process, which develops over in a lifetime. The standard tropes of inequality include racism and gender inequality. In fact, the vices lead to rise of movements, which purposed to restore equality in terms of social relations and the distribution of resources (Transgenerational Design Matters, 2014). The following attempts to discuss the means through which these affected the treatment of old aged individuals by today’s standards. Racism is the discrimination of individuals based on the racial background. It is more common since it is easier to tell that a person is from a different ethnic background by looking at a number of physical features such as skin colour and accents. Since the conspicuous physical elements are still present at old age, the elderly individuals become subject to a great deal of discrimination (Palmore, 1999). In fact, the bias is more pronounced since the individuals are shunned based on race and old ages. This has led to the various forms of age-based discrimination, which we see today.

Gender inequality, as the name suggests, also refers to the act of discriminating an individual based on their sex. This is more serious than racial discrimination since the act takes place within a specific ethnic society. Older aged individuals are shunned if they are members of the inferior sex (Youtube, 2012). It is safe to state that the act has evolved to constitute the modern-day ageism. The various forms of discrimination (racial and gender) have cumulated to form the above (Transgenerational Design Matters, 2014). Since the undesirable behaviour represent forms of discrimination, they have affected distribution of economic and health-related resources negatively toward the aged. Early life experience is also a factor since the elderly individuals are deemed inexperienced in the ways of modern living hence proving to be liabilities.

What is meant by the term "successful aging"? How do factors such as temperament, genetics, age, gender, health, social relationships, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status influence successful aging? What can people do to maximize the likelihood that they will age well?

Successful ageing generally refers to the physical, social and mental wellbeing in older age. Successfully aged individuals go about their routine tasks with little or no help from younger individuals (Palmore, 1999). The concept is essential since it helps rule out common negative beliefs about the aged population and above all, outlaw’s ageism. Palmore (1999) argues that for a person to become a successful ager, there are a number of factors that are worth taking into account. The surrounding must be conducive, most importantly. In addition, factors such as temperament, age, gender, genetics, health, social relationships and microeconomic status play a significant role.

Temperament influences the rate of stress, which is a factor responsible for unsuccesful ageing. Individuals with hot tempers are often stressed. In light of the above, people should be educated on ways of dealing with stress and temperaments if they wish to age successfully. The age is self-explanatory. Genetics helps most in determining a successful ager (Palmore, 1999). If a person hails from a long line of successful agers, the chances such an individual joining the list are high. The health status also plays a significant and crucial role; people with poor health are less likely to become successful agers when compared to those with top-notch health. Social interactions, racial interactions and ethnicity all work toward creating a conducive environment for successful ageing. They comprise of people around the elderly individual who help toward successful ageing (Youtube, 2012). The socioeconomic background also helps in determining economic status, which influences successful ageing. People are more likely to age successfully in a stable economy when relative to a non-stable one.









































Bibliography

Adler, T 2013. Ageism, Alive and Kicking, Association for psychological science, http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/observer/2013/september-13/ageism-alive-and-kicking.html

Annenberg learner 2017. Video on demand, Retrieved from http://www.learner.org/vod/vod_window.html?pid=463

Transgenerational Design Matters 2014. The Demographics of Aging, Characteristics of Our Aging Population, retrieved from http://transgenerational.org/aging/demographics.htmhttps://youtu.be/ZOA1v4-2Fos

Palmore, E.B. 1999. Ageism: Negative and Positive. New York, NY: Springer Publishing. Retrievedfrom:https://books.google.com/books?id=Cg4_DTUuV4IC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Youtube 2012. The Big Idea in 4 Minutes - Coming of Age in Aging America, Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOA1v4-2Fos&feature=youtu.be