Differences in health outcomes among the elderly populations are evident through an evaluation of the medical and social challenges encountered. According to Rose (2020), the elderly are given an over prescription of antibiotics that pose serious health problems including nerve damage. In addition, mass incarceration presents a significant limitation to wellness among the older population. Rose (2020) asserts that failure to consider age for non-violent crimes has led to the imprisonment of many elderly people, worsening their physical and mental wellbeing. Lastly, ageism has contributed to discrimination and stereotypes affecting the overall health outcomes among the elderly.
Chronic Illnesses
The elderly suffer from various chronic diseases that severely affect the quality of their lives. The five common ailments include renal disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease (Rose, 2020). The social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic position, educational levels, physical setting and surroundings, occupation, social networks, and healthcare accessibility, determine how well patients cope (Rose, 2020). For instance, due to inequitable healthcare services, many older adults suffering from chronic ailments end up in nursing homes suffering from loneliness due to the lack of social network support.
Improvement Steps Taken
The U.S. government has initiated several measures to reduce the health disparities among the elderly. One of the plans entails the establishment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to increase accessibility to healthcare services and prevent insurance companies from discriminating against people of color (Rose, 2020). The second measure pertains to the establishment of the Medicare program to assist the elderly and people dealing with chronic illnesses, and disabilities get access to medical treatment and prescription drugs (Rose, 2020). The third strategy is the availability of subsidies to enable people to afford healthcare insurance payments. This is in line with the establishment of the insurance marketplace, where people can access information on various policies and make informed decisions.
Reference
Rose, P. R. (2021). Health disparities, diversity, and inclusion (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.