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Aging
The "baby boomers" are getting older, and aging is becoming one of the most important social, economic, and political issues in the United States. Concurrent with the aging process are a slew of physical and psychological health issues. The aging adult, as well as his or her children and grandchildren should expect to be able to care for their elders with compassion and kindness. Among the most important problems that a young person today would expect to face as parents and grandparents grow older include physical health problems like diabetes; bio-psychological diseases like Alzheimer's; and financial and social problems, including affordable health care, affordable housing, and agism. Medical science works around the clock in an attempt to cure or alleviate the symptoms associated with physical diseases related to the aging process such as diabetes. While many of the physical ailments associated with the aging process can be alleviated through lifestyle changes such as improved dietary habits, others remain within the hands of the medical community. Caring for an aging loved one will involve a careful balance between medication and nutrition, and will therefore require awareness and education on the part of family members. Similarly, neurological problems like Alzheimer's disease require medical assistance, as well as compassion and education from the sufferer's loved ones. All issues related to aging depend on financial security; therefore, the ultimate concern of all persons with aging parents or grandparents will be the ability to properly provide for their needs. Finally, emotional, social, and psychological issues related to aging such as elder abuse or agism persist as major problems facing the older generations.
By the time the younger generation approaches retirement, all of the above problem areas will remain salient. However, it is highly possible that as the "baby boomers" age in greater numbers that popular opinion regarding the aging process will shift. Prejudices toward the aging, elder abuse, the lack of priority given to aging populations in political decisions might all diminish within the next few decades as more and more people pay attention to the needs of an aging population. While getting older will always entail some physical and mental health problems, increased awareness, compassion, and education can go a long way toward eliminating some of the social and economic issues associated with aging.
Works Cited
Administration on Aging. Website online at http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/
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