Society & Aging population

What does society owe to its aging population? Francesca Conliffe ID# 420060752 Course: FOUN 1003 English for Academic Purposes Lecturer: Ms. Sherry Asgill November, 27th, 2010

Society & Aging population Population aging is the shift in the distribution of a countrys population toward older ages. It is an increase in the populations mean or median age, a decline in the fraction of the population composed of children, or a rise in the fraction of the population that is elderly (Weil,

2006, p.3). In other words, families are getting smaller and people are living longer, the number of adults and old people is increasing in relation to a declining population of young people. From the moment of birth the aging process begins for every human being. The aging process itself is not an overwhelming problem for most individuals. However, it is the treatment that these individuals receive which is problematic. The elderly are seen as a minority group, within society, and consequently suffer personal prejudice and institutional discrimination (Neubeck, Neubeck & Glasberg, 2007). This aging population is a product of worldwide social and economic progress, together with scientific achievements, such as, the eradication of illness and disease, and as such, our society is obliged to provide the aging members of our population with adequate health care systems, employment and housing. First of all, our society is obliged to provide acceptable heath care systems for its elderly. One reason for this obligation is that national governments are generally responsible for and are the main provider of a countrys formal health system. At present, health care systems are based on an acute care medical model with a focus on curing disease. However, a functional model should be utilized, that would recognize the importance of assisting and improving a persons ability to manage and maintain daily activities. Such a system would ensure that the elderly could maintain their good health and would therefore receive the opportunity to continue living an independent life (Galambos & Rosen, 1999). The adoption of a health system which caters to the overall well being of the elderly would be an indicator to a successful society. One such country, which has already reformed its health service, is Thailand. There the government has ensured that the aging

Society & Aging population population can access health care services that will meet their needs, with the implementation of a

free medical care programme. This was initiated in 1989 and extended to cover all elderly by 1992. Furthermore, an act in 2003 was devised to ensure that the elderly have the right to access convenient and rapid medical and health care services (Kespichayawattana & Jitapunkul, 2009). Further to providing a regular health service, a requirement which has already been achieved in many regions, including the Caribbean, we now also need to provide extra assistance for the elderly. We, in developed societies, must recognize that we are responsible for the burgeoning population of pensioners. According to United Nations Population Division (2002), humanitys median age, after decades of very little change, has ascended for five years in the last 20, to an expected 29.1 years in 2010 and within the next four decades similar increases are expected (see Appendix1). The root cause of this elevation of median age is a decline in fertility rates over the past century. This phenomenon can be viewed as an objective process brought about by the conditions of a societys socio-economic status, such as wealth and education (Valentina, Steshenko & Piskunov, 1974). For example, in developed countries, literacy rates are high and women spend longer periods in formal education, which enables them to achieve a wealthier lifestyle after graduation. They are better informed in relation to birth control and are better able to afford it (Uhlenberg, 1992). The combined result of these factors is that they tend to have their children later in life, with many choosing to remain childless. As a direct result social networks have been diminished. For example, in the past, children may have provided a support network for their parents, but now these older and childless individuals may turn to the government to seek assistance in providing this network, especially in the area of health care (Anon, 2002, p.3). Developed societies all over the world must now realize that they are responsible for the existence of this situation and take action to fulfill the elderly populations need. Such societies must seek to

Society & Aging population provide an appropriate emotional support structure for this population, whether through the public health service or through the mobilization of charitable organizations. According to Jean Hampton (1988), Social Contract Theory is an explanation for the origins of and the justification for the current social structures and nature of society. This theory argues that, it is in an individuals best interest to agree to live in a society which enforces morality, since society protects the rights and interests of its members. Therefore, human dignity should be the focal point of the social paradigm. This means laws and social practices should be adhered to, as they protect the weak and vulnerable from domination, exploitation or neglect. A given society can then function in union and can be at its best by functioning as a whole. Social care is most effective when it is consistent and available to all, enabling those who have resources to enjoy their full benefits, while providing security to those who are less fortunate (World Health Organization, 2002). Secondly, a developed society, such as our own in the Caribbean, is compelled to offer employment for its aging population. Since the development of the technological era, it has become very difficult for most elderly persons to obtain a job, with most employers choosing

youth over experience. Research by Joanna Lahey (2005) supports this claim. This study involved sending 4000 resumes to firms in Boston, Massachusetts and St. Petersburg, Florida. The applicants ages ranged from 35 to 62. Results revealed that a younger worker, in either city, is more than 40 percent more likely to be called back for an interview, than an older worker (Older having been defined as age 50 or above). In Massachusetts, this trend translates into a younger seeker needing to send in 19 resumes for one interview request, compared to 27 for an older worker. Similarly, in Florida, the comparable numbers of resumes are 16 and 23 respectively (see Appendix 2). Laheys research showed that employers are operating in a state of nature.

Society & Aging population According to Thomas Hobbs (as cited in Hampton, 1988), in the state of nature, humanity is viewed as being motivated by selfishness and subsequently lacks compassion or regard for others. Within this type of situation, life is based on the survival of the fittest model (Boucher & Kelly, 1994). Employers are choosing to employ the younger generation, as an assumption is made that they are more likely to be highly skilled and technologically aware, as opposed to the older

applicants, regardless of their actual ability. This type of discrimination is known as statistical discrimination. Employers face significant costs in order to explore specific characteristics of an individual applicant or worker. To avoid these costs, the employer makes assumptions about the applicant based on group characteristics (Lahey, 2005). Our Caribbean society should not be plagued with this type of mentality, in respect to the elderly and employment. It is in our best interest to view these individuals as a societal resource rather than a societal burden. As a result of our reduced fertility rates, there are fewer young people entering the employment market. The labour force is shrinking and the dependency ratio of retired people to workers is increasing. In order to offset this problem, we should allow older people to remain in the workforce for a longer period, both as workers and as taxpayers (Healy, 2004). We should use our new science and technology to extend the working life of the elderly and to prolong their productivity, which would thereby reduce pension costs. This would not have an adverse effect on young peoples career prospects as it would only serve to maintain the current labour force.

Society & Aging population Finally, an aging population will change the pattern of housing needs and it is within our

societys best interest to accommodate these individuals. According to Andrew Sixsmith & Judith Sixsmith (2008), most seniors want to age in place, which means, they would prefer to remain at home as they grow older. A society that chooses to assist these individuals and fulfill their desires would benefit the elderly populations quality of life immensely. Research by Kathryn Lawler (2001) illustrated that, remaining in the same environment and in excellent housing conditions can prolong physical and mental health, as opposed to remaining in inadequate housing conditions, which can be detrimental to the elderly. For example, a home environment which is poorly maintained can be directly linked to ill health and, in terms of mental health; it can also contribute to psychological distress. A home which lacks positive meaning lacks security, order, warmth and identity (Gifford, 1996). Furthermore, improved health is not only a direct benefit, of improved housing, to the individual, in the long term, it would also provide a cost effective solution to the problems of an expanding population. This would translate into savings for the society (Lawler, 2001). Developing effective public policies to meet the challenges associated with aging can be advantageous to any society. The Social Contract Theory (as cited in Rachels, 1989, p.30) states, morality consists in the set of rules, governing how people are to treat one another, that rational people will agree to accept, for their mutual benefit, on the condition that others follow those rules as well." It is through these laws that mankind can seek peace and enable mans natural right to all things, providing that others will do the same. Thomas Hobbess approach is subjected to several criticisms. Firstly, other theorists such as David Hume have argued that the state of nature did not exist and that nobody had subscribed to a social contract, as this concept was purely hypothetical. Secondly, further concerns were placed on non participants to the contract, such as,

Society & Aging population all animals, apart from humans, and those who are not rational. These groups were omitted from this theory and so societys treatment of them would not be guided by the moral principles within

the contract. Despite these weaknesses, there are strengths. It clarifies ethical theories, such as, the moral rules that bind society and the justification of these rules, the reasons for following these rules and the circumstances in which we may break them. This theory has also made provisions for an objective basis for morality (Rachels, 1989). Therefore, the social contract theory should not be disregarded, as the issues surrounding aging are complex, interrelated and require visionary planning from government. According to Hobbes (as cited in Rachels, 1989) human beings are naturally self interested, but they will still choose to submit to the authority of a Sovereign in order to survive, this provides the justification for political obligation. As a result, any governments policies should address emerging issues associated with aging, in order to meet, protect and enhance the needs of their aging population, under the social contract. It is evident that society is not only responsible for improving health care, transforming work conditions and providing housing for the elderly, but also needs to ensure that the entire system of socialization and development of subsequent generations, is improved. This will give future generations a better chance to attain and generate new social policies, in order to improve the quality of life for the elderly (Steshenko & Piskunov, 1974). Therefore, we should embrace the elderly as an integral part of our society, both in the Caribbean and throughout the world. Apart from all of the statistical, political and theoretical arguments, we must never forget that it is the current elderly population which has provided us with the developed society, which we now enjoy. We should also recognize that we ourselves will one day comprise the elderly population. Therefore, it is in all of our interests to treat the elderly appropriately. References

Society & Aging population Anon., 2002, Australian Social Trends 2002. Population Population Projections: Fertility Futures. Retrieved on the 10th October 2010 from http://www.abs.gov.au. Boucher, J., & Kelly, P. (1994). The Social Contract From Hobbes to Rawls.New York : Routledge. Galambos, C., & Rosen, A. (1999). The Aging Are Coming and They Are Us. Journal of Health and Social Work, 24 (1), 73-77. Gifford, R. (1996). Environmental psychology: Principles and practice (2nd Ed). Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Hampton, J. (1988). Hobbes and the social Contract Tradition. New York: Cambridge University Press. Healy, J. (2004). The Benefits of an ageing population. Discussion paper number 63. Australian National University. Retrieved on the 10th October 2010 from http://www.tai.org.au/. Kespichayawattana, J., & Jitapunkul, S. (2009). Health and Health Care System for the Older Persons. Journal of Ageing International, 33, 28-49. Lahey. N. J, (2005). Age discrimination and hiring: Evidence from a Labor Market Experiment. Working paper for the National Bureau of Economic Research. Retrieved on the 10th October 2010 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/Lahey_NASI_annual.pdf. Lawler, K. (2001). Aging in Place Coordinating Housing and Health Care Provision for Americas Growing Elderly Population. Retrieved Retrieved on the 10th October 2010 from http://www.jchs.harvard.edu/publications/seniors/lawler_w01-13.pdf. Neubeck, J. K., Neubeck, A. M., & Glasberg, S. D. (2007). Social Problems: A critical approach (5th Ed). New York: McGraw-Hill. Rachels, J. (1989). The Right thing to do: basic readings in moral philosophy. California:

Society & Aging population Random House. Sixsmith, A., & Sixsmith, J. (2008). Aging in Place in the United Kingdom. Journal of Ageing International, 32 (3), 219-235. Steshenko, S. V., & Piskunov, P. V. (1974). Evaluating population aging. International Social Science Journal, 26 (2), 235-243. Uhlenberg, P. (1992). Population Aging and Social Policy. Annual Review of Sociology, 18, 449474. United Nations Population Division (2002). World Population Ageing: 1950-2050. Retrieved on the 20th October 2010 from http://www.un.org. Weil, D. (2006). Population aging. Palgrave Encyclopedia of Economics. Retrieved on 10th October 2010 http://www.nber.org/papers/w12147.pdf. World Health Organization (2002). Ethical choices in long-term care : what does justice require?. Retrieved on the 10th October 2010 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/ethical_choices.pdf.

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/Lahey_NASI_annual.pdf

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