Philadelphia Business Daily

What are a few social issues facing the aging?

I am writing a term paper on a social issue facing the aging. Here is the description of my assignment: Your task is to write an overview of the policy area/problem. The issue should be a social welfare problem within the topic area of aging. I am having a hard time narrowing it down so I would like input for you guys. What do you think is the most important social issue facing the elderly.

Public Comments

1. medical insurance, primary issue, followed by lack of family and friends because of death and moved by family due to distance
2. What about the isolation of the elderly in society, they often feel like that they are being pushed out. They are often left at home day in day out, with hardly any visitors. You could mention the fear of going out in case they find themselves in a horrible situation and one in which that they can no longer defend and protect themselves. It's just a suggestion? Hope it helps x
3. When people get older, they're expected to become no longer participating members of society. Instead, they're expected to retire, get a hobby, and be available for grandchildren. Since people live longer than they used to, that can mean as many as 30 or 40 years of basically doing nothing productive with their lives.
4. I second the first answer. Those are all great topics. I also have an idea for a very specific health issue that you probably didn't think of already. One issue facing older adults is an explosion in STD diagnoses over the last decade. It particularly a problem in nursing homes and retirement communities. Yes, I'm serious. Viagra has enabled more older men to...enjoy themselves. The current generation of older adults did not receive sex ed in school and grew up in the free loving times before AIDs was on the radar. Without the risk of pregnancy, older adults are less likely to use condoms. Others are unsafe because they feel with other health problems they have nothing to lose. Doctors are reluctant to talk to their patients because older people having sex is a bit taboo. It may not be the most important issue, but it is one that has large implications.