graying of the United States

graying of the United States

The sociological phrase, “graying of the United States,” typically means that despite the rapid increase of the elderly population, the number of youths in the country stays constant. Graying of the United States changes the fabric of some social aspects. It is a situation experienced in the United States, wherein 1900, only approximately four percent of the country’s population was over the age of sixty-five, and it is estimated that the share will increase fourfold by 2020 (Macionis 6.6.2). It is projected that the elderly population will occupy 20 % of the population in the United States by 2030, evidence that it is a graying nation (Macionis 6.6.2). An essential factor contributing to this is an increase in life expectancy in the country, where the average life expectancy for both males (76 years) and females (81 years) is about 78.5 years, mainly due to better sanitation, nutrition, and medical care in the country (Macionis 6.6.2). Although the highest percentage of people between the age of 65 to 74 years living independently, they enjoy good health. The population is also well-financed and lead active lives such as travel for both learning and adventure. This enhances their health and body fitness.

 

However, an increased number of elderly population may have a significant impact on the country’s economic status. The elderly population is less productive because they are not working nor receiving income. They depend on their retirement benefits or pension and their family members for help, which creates economic inequality in the United States (Macionis 2.2.1). The structural-functional theory is one of the conceptual views that address the need for members of society to recognize and understand the reality behind aging, mainly by disengaging the elderly from productive work (Macionis 6.6.4).

The country embraces a way of life that typically emphasize competitive individualism, and most people “accept the idea that people’s rewards should reflect their talents, abilities, and efforts” (Macionis 2.2.1.2). A recent study found that there was an increasing number of older men and women in the labor force, which presented a notable increase during the economic downturn (Macionis 6.6.3). Also, the growth rate of the country’s GDP may slow, which could leave people vulnerable to an economic recession with high declines and a lower rate of recoveries (Macionis 2.2.2). The government may experience significant pressure due to inadequate pensions for the elderly. Most of them would live below the poverty line because of inadequate or lack of enough employer pension (Macionis 1.1.2).

 

Senior Citizen Housing Policy in New York

14. a) Nursing home (2): I would rank 2 for the nursing home, and the budget would be used to cater to understaffed nursing homes. Approximately 14.9% of the population in Albany County, New York, are over the age of 65 years (Macionis 6.6.2). Nursing homes provide a high level of nursing care for the elderly population who are not capable of caring for themselves properly. However, most senior citizens do not live in nursing homes or other care providing facilities, and many adults provide the required care for people over the age of 65 years (Macionis 6.6.3.5). According to recent investigations, between 2013 and 2017, almost 6,500 nursing homes in the United States were cited for severely violating federal health and safety standards (Macionis 6.6.3). Therefore, nursing homes are known for abusing elders and victimizing them with practices such as malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and neglect. In many cases, abuse and victimization of elders happen in nursing facilities that “are understaffed and where employees are underpaid and have little training” (Macionis 6.6.3.5). However, those elders who live in nursing homes are not poor or live in a household with an income above the poverty line.

 

2. b) Multi-family house in the suburb (5): As a research analyst, the largest portion of my budget would go to Albany nursing homes. Most people who live in a multi-family house are poor and may be eligible for government assistance (Macionis 2.2.2). They do not have any source of income or live in a “household with income below the official poverty line, not counting the value of benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and public housing” (Macionis 2.2.2). Most elders do not prefer living in a nursing home. Instead, they prefer to “age in place,” or stay in the same homes they were while working and raising their children (Macionis 6.3.8). They are most likely to face various problems because some of their houses are older and lack insulation, repair, and maintenance, air-conditioning, and heating problems. They live in houses that are not safe. Also, they lack access to services and shopping in suburban regions, where there is limited public transportation (Macionis 6.3.8). In many cases, elders in rural and suburban regions find that “stores, businesses, churches, and synagogues, and recreation facilities are out of reach” (Macionis 6.3.8). However, they are not as costly as other alternative housing options and may receive the largest budget share to enable renovations, repair, housekeeping services, medical care, among other needs. Therefore, sharing a home is the most preferred housing option to cut off high costs of housing, where they can receive assistance from family members or unrelated adults (Macionis 6.3.8).

 

2. b) High-rise affordable apartments in the central city (3): I would allocate some share of the budget high-rise affordable apartments in the central city. According to the study, well-off people typically live in well-appointed and large homes (Macionis 2.2.1). Most elders do not prefer living in a nursing home. Instead, they prefer to “age in place,” or stay in the same homes they were while working and raising their children (Macionis 6.3.8). Although elders would access most services and shop easily in the central city of Albany, it may not be suitable for most of them because they prefer living in the same places where they raised their children. Studies suggest that many elderly individuals prefer remaining in familiar homes, and houses that appear comfortable for the middle-aged population may become “challenging to those who are entering old age” (Macionis 6.3.8).
3. c) Independent senior living in the retirement community (4): As a research analyst, the largest portion of my budget would go to independent seniors living in the retirement community. Retirement communities typically offer elderly people with “comfortable, accessible apartments with on-site health care services and help with cleaning, meals, and transportation” (Macionis 6.3.8). However, the overall cost of living in retirement communities is high, mainly between $2,500 and $7,000 per month for the meal and apartment (Macionis 6.3.8). Elderly people do not have any source of income or live in a “household with income below the official poverty line, not counting the value of benefits such as food stamps, Medicaid, and public housing” (Macionis 2.2.2). Many retirement facilities also require every person to pay large amounts of up-front entrance fees, which puts this option out of reach form many elderly people. Although the highest percentage of people between the age of 65 to 74 years living independently, they enjoy good health.

 

6. e) Hospice facilities (1): I would allocate the lowest budget to hospice facilities because they are expensive. Although they may provide crucial services required for an elderly person such as health care services, comfortable living, and assistance in meal, cleaning, and transportation, they are costly. Elders may also face abuse and victimization in hospice facilities by severely violating federal health and safety standards (Macionis 6.6.3). The elderly population faces several issues such as issues associated with retirement, social isolation, poverty, abuse and victimization, and ageism or prejudice and discrimination based on age (Macionis 6.6.3). According to a recent survey, over half of adults with aging family members such as parents offer constant assistance like doing housework, errands, and home-repairs (Macionis 6.6.3).