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The Elderly Population

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Recommended: Health disparities in the elderly

There are many different groups and communities throughout the United States of America that have their own specific health issues or needs which is more prevalent to them than other groups. One of these groups is the elderly, who make up a significant portion of the population. Not only are the elderly affected by different physical and mental issues that can naturally come with aging, they are also affected by the social policies that determine the assistance they can receive, as well as the healthcare options accessible to them. By analyzing the research available on the elderly within the United States of America, more can be understood concerning how to improve the living conditions of those aged 65 and older. The elderly was selected …show more content…

The elderly are also important to focus on as a group in terms of health in the present because “As the U.S. population grows older, the racial and ethnic composition of the older population is also expected to change” (Hogan, Ortman, Velkoff). This means that healthcare options in the future will have to cater to a more diverse crowd than in the present. Due to this being a known fact concerning the future, it seems wise to focus on providing more health options and access to elderly now, so that in the future the opportunities can be expanded even …show more content…

Ken Schwartz of the National Council on Aging lists at least six different policies, with two of them being the Older Americans Act and the Affordable Care Act. According to Schwartz, “the OAA is up for reauthorization, which offers a prime opportunity to strengthen and modernize aging services to ensure that we meet the diverse needs of our growing older population—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged” (Schwartz). As the census reports that the elderly population will indeed expand, the opportunities and aging services will also need to change and expand to meet the needs of the growing elderly population, making this an important issue in the present. Schwartz also highlights a specific part of the Affordable Care Act known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Program, which can also be more beneficial to the elderly in the future. “CLASS would allow individuals to plan for long-term services as they age and remain at home rather than being forced to spend-down their life savings or enter a nursing home”(Schwartz). This is something I see as being beneficial to not only the elderly person who gets to remain within their familiar community, however it would also benefit the loved ones of the elderly as far finances and familial relationships are

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