Ageism and Elderly

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Ageism and the Elderly The elderly are not commonly seen as a useful asset to today’s society. Jobs are that require experience and skill are easily given to the younger generation even though they hold less experience than the older generation. Elderly patients are stripped away of their medical benefits because due to their health it seems benefits are not necessary. Patients are discharged from hospitals before the end of their treatments and forced to find other care. In America the elderly are seen as a burden and mistreated. But in other countries the elderly are respected and seen as advisors for the younger generations. The fastest growing age group in the United States is the elderly. According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, in 1980, there were 25.7 million older persons; by 1990 the amount of older Americans had reached 31.2 million. In 2000, 35 million of the United States population was over 65 years of age, and by 2030 the figure is expected to reach 71.5 million older Americans. “Demographically, the coming generation of elderly Americans- the baby boomers- were themselves the pioneers in the great changes that have transformed family life over the past several decades, and their ageing is one of the most anticipated demographic events of this century” (Population Reference Bureau, 2010). With the continued advancement in medicine Americans are living longer. And, it appears that “while the number of Americans without medical insurance is high, the number without any insurance against the cost of long term care is far greater (Population Reference Bureau, 2010).” Ageism is a social attitude. Ageism is also part of attitudes where people believe that older adults can be treated in demeaning ways. Ageism occurs for many different reasons and even though older adults contributed to significant past and

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