They face difficulties resuming parenting responsibilities, difficulties assessing assistance and high legal costs. All of this combined with their older age results in social, financial and health problems. Local, State and National Levels On the national level in 2000, “More than 3.9 million grandparents are raising their grandchildren in their homes. Overall, about 5.4 million children nationwide live with their grandparents. In fact, one in 10 grandparents has been the primary support of a grandchild at some time in their lives” (Doucette-Dudman, 2000).
After traditionalists baby boomers are the next oldest age group in today’s work place. Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 964 and are predominantly in the 40’s and 50’s. Baby boomers are currently the most influential generation as many positions with power and authority are held by them. According to Aabout.com, 70 percent of law firm partners are Baby Boomers. According to Legal Careers, “Labor statistics indicate that nearly 80 million Baby Boomers will exit the workplace in the next decade.
Baby boomers are not content to leave the workforce because they've hit some predetermined magic age (Landau, 2010). Those of the baby boom generation are expected to change the path of their later years. Experts expect many to work as long as they are physically able and to transition, when possible, into jobs that offer self-fulfillment. “The implications of this coming trend are enormous, thanks to the generation's sheer size: By 2030, the number of adults 65 or older will skyrocket to 72 million, from just over 40 million this year” (Landau, 2010, p. 14). Post-retirement labor force re-entry is becoming a regularly occurring phenomenon.
Childcare Issues for Single Head of Households Geraldine Numbers SOC 402 Mr. Martin DiBello March 9, 2009 Childcare Issues for Single Head of Households Single head of household families, including single, remarried, cohabitating, and same sex partners are expected to account for one-quarter to one-third of all U.S. families by the end of the century (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990). Millions of families, rich, poor and the middle class face instability caused by childcare issues. As more mothers and single fathers enter the workforce, child care has become an increasingly important public policy issue. Many families, particularly those with modest incomes, have trouble financing its cost. Poor quality of care is another persistent problem.
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.
However, by 1990 almost 70% of senior citizens (age over 65) lived alone. There was also a big rise in “empty nest” households, with elderly couples no longer having “resident” children of any age (Klein). Klein also mentions that the factors influencing these trends everywhere in the modern industrial world seem to be the same; late marriages, women increasing their participation in the workforce, thus having higher incomes, and changing beliefs in the importance and necessity of marriage. All these facts showed us the American family has changed a lot. The trend of having a perfect family is taught to us through many different perceptions.
HRSA projects that, absent aggressive intervention, in the year 2020 the shortage will grow to more than 1 million RNs-representing a shortage of 36% (2). The “Baby boomers” are also aging and entering retirement. This has placed additional demand for the services of Nurses. Demands for Nurses is high and is expected to increase as more of the population gains access to healthcare reform. According to the American College of Nurses, “the nursing shortage is very real and very different from any experienced in the past and will grow more serious over the next 20 years” (3).
Members of this population experience many difficulties and risks that are physical, emotional, and psychological and must be given care and support. The elderly population makes up a substantial amount of the general population in the U.S. and is on a rise in the coming years. “As late as 1930, America's older population numbered less than 7 million—only 5.4% of the population. Today, one out of every 9 Americans is "old"—another former youth turns 50 every 8 seconds. Those aged 65 and older now exceed 35 million.
A nurse will likely have great interaction with infant’s parents. It is their responsibility to communicate any potential problems or issues that newborns are having. Approximately 40,000 low birth weight infants are born annually in the United States. These infants often need many months of care, but survival rates are now 10 times better than they were 15 years ago because of great medical advances and the growing skill of physician and nurse specialists. As with all the nursing careers, the demand for neonatal nurses and neonatal nurse practitioners is expected to increase of the nest ten years when I
The end of life is never a pleasant topic, but sometimes, it may be expected when working with an elderly person at the end of their life span and developmental process. An increase in lifespan and quality of life means that an old adult will require much family support to focus on their needs when they retire. Statistical studies show that Singapore population is projected to age rapidly over the next two decades (as the result of past rapid fertility and mortality declines and the ageing of the huge cohorts of Post-World War II baby boomers born between 1947 and 1965). Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (2009). The renowned psychologist Erikson described the stages of life as a journey of sorts, and late adulthood as the period where one comes to term with the end of their life path.