Introduction
Aging is a long-term process that starts when an individual attains adulthood. In America, a good number of the population comprises older adults vulnerable in society. The immune system of older adults weakens as they grow, leading to the acquirement of several conditions. In communities, many aging people need care and support to achieve their goals in life. However, most people develop a negative attitude towards them, lowering their self-esteem. The government plays a significant role in ensuring that their needs are satisfied by offering the necessary support in a different. The setting of policies and rules that govern the aging population and implementation approaches are government roles. This paper discusses the policies and deficits affecting aging in the United States and the role of government in ensuring that they are protected. Additionally, an examination of the recommendations that one can make to respond to the challenges they experience is done.
The Current Deficits Affecting the Aging Population
To date, several deficits directly affect the aging population. First of all, one should note such a problem as the lack of stability, consistency, and security within the framework of workplaces, responsibilities, and competencies. Most often, aging experiences many challenges due to the dynamic nature of events, occurrences, and changes. Job competition in society is high, and the employment rate reduces drastically. Most aging people experience financial challenges, especially those who cannot assess the pension scheme (Kapucu & Hu, 2022). Many older individuals are competent and eager to labor beyond the average retirement years, but not every citizen has such opportunities. In addition, operating day-to-day money and preparing for future life may be challenging for older generations since much is now done online or remotely. Some initiatives by the government give them some money monthly to enable them to afford basic needs.
Secondly, separately, it is also worth highlighting the lack of social components and support measures that could help the aging in difficult times. As individuals age, their mobility and skillfulness gradually decline, causing everyday duties to be more demanding. Older people’s energy and strength decrease as they actively participate in their favorite activities and travel to fascinating places. One should assign daily responsibilities to caregivers or close family members. The aging reaches a stage where they need to be treated as children to survive. Locomotion is limited due to complications that may affect the limbs. Fitness keeping and flexibility require regular exercising, which is not present in the old. Their bones have become weak and therefore need to support themselves while walking.
Thirdly, it is also necessary to mention the lack of communicative aspects and interpersonal communication. Nevertheless, this is one of the most serious problems that strike the economy, medicine, and social components of the country (Cotterell, 2018). Most older adults experience the challenge of loneliness as they have less time and energy to visit friends and relatives. In most cases, they have lost their loved ones, or they have started their own families due to maturity. Interaction promotes skill acquisition and promotes interaction boosts Self-esteem. Furthermore, the points listed above are not exhaustive but only shed light on the main problems that every older person can face.
Attributing the Deficits
The deficits can be correlated with neglect and disregard for the rights of older people. Certainly, limitations in opportunities and gaps in the organization of social protection create special risks within the institutionalization framework. Despite the government’s several attempts to amend legislative projects, their funding and requirement seem insufficient to meet the needs of older people. Many aging residents of the United States are still forced to “stay on the sidelines,” while they should be guaranteed equal possibilities and prospects.
Type of Issue
These aspects are an issue of the quality and characteristics of the implementation. There are still flaws in the social services system for aging, which are corrected only for a “checkmark.” Despite all the reforms, the system of providing social services often does not fully meet the needs of older people in such a way that they can fully live, work and relax. The allocated funding, time, and effort are often not enough to cover the absolute need for essential and significant services for the “honorary citizens” of the country. The system of biases and prejudices still operates in working enterprises. Children turn away from their descendants, and social workers are so overloaded that they cannot provide the full range of services. Accordingly, the quality of the fulfillment of the Government’s “promises” leaves much to be desired; a more comprehensive approach to the problem is needed, which could take into account indirect factors.
The Root of the Issue
There are quite deep roots of the actual, topical issue. Firstly, these may be reasons related to cultural, and institutional aspects, as well as banal human stereotypes about helplessness and infirmity of aging in general (Mohammadpour et al., 2018). Secondly, another factor affecting the problem is the lack of effective mechanisms to minimize, prevent or combat the poor attitude toward aging in modern society.
Involving with This Problem
From a policy point of view, the issues of care, support, and protection of the rights of aging are usually dealt with by the US Congress. This “core” of the government system considers, evaluates, and decides on the implementation of specific laws. Due to Congress, “measures” called Reauthorization of the OAA, The Patient Protection, Affordable Care Act, and more were taken. These documents, for instance, give more choices in healthcare and enhances protection for disabled Americans. They issue new options for continuous support and services and improve opportunities for community-based and Medicaid home services (Kanter, 2019). In brief, these acts pass disability status as a social-economic category.
Discrimination in Policies
Indeed, the government of the US and individual states strive to implement laws and policies that equally protect the rights and freedoms of citizens. Nevertheless, some older adults are occasionally forced to face injustice, inequality, and harsh treatment of their person due to specific state regulations, norms, and standards. For example, in America, federal and regional laws concerning eliminating age discrimination are quite widespread. Nonetheless, the research results demonstrate some “pitfalls” and “loopholes” that some employers actively take note of (Button, 2020). In particular, these non-official rules apply more to older women, “exposing” also a hidden hint of sexism and gender disparities.
As a rule, employers classify old people as “second class,” not considering applications from the aging, and refusing to hire. In the modern world, there are also cases when the “oppressed category of citizens” are forcibly asked to leave the profession when they reach a certain age. Undoubtedly, an experienced lawyer will be able to defend an aged client in court based on these points. However, even if a person manages to keep their workplace, no one cancels the possibility that the authorities or colleagues will not look for vulnerabilities in an “unnecessary employee.” Therefore, as practice shows, the existing US policy in a formal sense demonstrates infallible adherence to “age laws,” excluding any discrimination against citizens. Nevertheless, speaking informally, these policies do not affect the standards of some companies or even the personal views of some managers on older people.
Recommendations
To put an end to various misunderstandings and unpleasant circumstances concerning the aging population, it is necessary to evaluate multiple factors to ensure an equal and peaceful society. The aging persons should have a representative in the government who would push for the allocation of more funds to support them. Moreover, families should play significant roles in protecting their loved ones, especially aging (Cotterell, 2018). This ensures that their grievances are aired and possible solutions are given. One should do public sensitization and awareness of the aged and its effects. In most cases, the mass is illiterate about aging and how to take care of aging in society. Older people should make savings while young for future uses. Such plans will cater to upcoming needs, specifically to those individuals who were not employees when they were youths.
Conclusion
In conclusion, aging is a significant concern that should be given attention to protect the less fortunate. This is because anybody can get old and need special care. Policies were created to protect them from facing societal challenges due to differences in age, gender, legal status, and race. Poverty is also a major contributing factor affecting the incapacitated. Accessibility to services is a significant issue, and the government plays a vital role in curbing the denial of equal opportunities. Recommendations such as public sensitization and setting laws to protect the disabled have been developed to deal with this problem. The country’s authorities should build special centers for the aged to allow caregivers who cannot take care of the old to find free places that are secure to shelter them.
References
Button, P. (2020). Population aging, age discrimination, and age discrimination protections at the 50th anniversary of the age discrimination in employment act. In S. J. Czaja, J. Sharit, & J. B. James (Eds.), Current and emerging trends in aging and work (pp. 163-188). Springer.
Cotterell, N., Buffel, T., & Phillipson, C. (2018). Preventing social isolation in older people. Maturitas, 113, pp. 80-84.
Kapucu, N., & Hu, Q. (2022). An old puzzle and unprecedented challenges: Coordination in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Public Performance &Amp; Management Review, pp. 1-26.
Kanter, A. S. (2019). Let’s try again: Why the United States should ratify the United Nations Convention on the rights of people with disabilities. Touro L. Rev., 35, p. 301. Web.
Mohammadpour, A., Sadeghmoghadam, L., Shareinia, H., Jahani, S., & Amiri, F. (2018). Investigating the role of perception of aging and associated factors in death anxiety among the aging. Clinical interventions in aging, 13, p. 405.