Common Problems Among the Aging Population

From 1946 through 1960, the United States experienced the Baby Boom years. During that time the fertility rate was higher and more babies were born. Today, the earlier Baby Boomers are entering into retirement age. Because of this there will be an increase in the aging population. While retirement will be a dream come true, there are also several issues and challenges the aging population will face.

The first problem includes health issues. These include hearing and sight loss, memory loss and increased health problems. While many people will not face these problems right away, these losses can be gradual, the aging population can learn to adapt to the limitations. While today's elderly person is considerably more healthy than those of previous generations, they still need health plans like Medicare and Medicaid.

Another problem deals with the elderly person's income and economic welfare. No longer being in the workforce, these individuals will need to rely on their pensions and Social Security. However, because the cost of living rises, some elderly "live below or slightly above the poverty level" (Gerontology).

Loneliness is another issue. Men tend to have a shorter life expectancy than women. Therefore, many married females become widows as they age. While some children are a short distance from older parents, some live too far a distance away to provide the proper support in emergencies. "Social relationships might be difficult to maintain in old age because of health limitations, death of family members and friends, loss of workmates, and lack oftransportation" (Gerontology).

While health concerns, economic issues and loneliness are problems the aging population has to face, there are two major ones that must be addressed. These are neglect/abuse and crime against the elderly.

While the younger generations are more likely to be crime victims, the elderly are tagets also. This includes robbery and identity theft. With many scams going around, if they are not careful, the older person may become a victim. One such scam may ask a person to provide a third party with banking or credit card information. The victim will have money taken out of his account without his approval. Another scam may be where the victim is given a forged certified check. He is to cash the check and forward some money to a third party. By the time the check is discovered to be forged, the money will be gone; the victim will have to pay the bank back for the amount of money of the cashed check.

Whether it is done by family, friends or caregivers, "neglect or mistreatment of older people is called elder abuse" All Family Resources). This abuse can be physical-where there are signs of brusises or broken bones, financial-where the victim is forced to give an individual money, or emotional-where the victim is neglected in daily basic needs (such as nutrition or medication). This is a hotline number to call if an elderly person is suspected to have been abused: 1-800-490-8505

References

All Family Resources, http://www.familymanagement.com.

"Gerontology," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008

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