Research assistance part ii

FinalProjectPrepPartIIInstructions.docx

Instructions:

· Using the paper that I completed below based on the identification of 4 issues that are a challenge for the elderly in the United States, you will submit a minimum of eight (8) academic sources you have found to use in your final paper to address the 4 issues in the paper below.

· Each source needs to be in APA format (current edition)

· Include a brief explanation as to how it will fit into your final paper.

· Why is it a good source to use for your paper?

· What topics does it address?

· How does it relate to your planned Eldertopia?

· There is no page requirement, just include the 8 sources in APA format and the brief explanations about how it will fit into the final paper!!

Key Issues for the Elderly in the United States

Bearing in mind the ideal of creating an "Eldertopia"-a community in which the quality of life for people of all ages is enhanced through strengthening the role of elders-there are some broader issues that this aging of the population faces. I discuss below four such issues and challenges that face elderly persons here in the United States, also touching on the ways and locations I would consider finding academic sources to further these issues.

Issue 1: Social Isolation and Loneliness

One of the severe pressuring issues considered present within the United States is social isolation among older persons. With aging, the older persons pass through sad events of the loss of spouse, friends, and family members, which generally are associated with loneliness and feelings of disconnection. Apart from this, physical incapacities or chronic ailments may confine their activities and further add to their alienation from the people. Evidence through research proves that social isolation and loneliness serve as serious precursors of ill mental and physical health, such as depression, deterioration of the mind, and even death.

From this view, therefore, intergenerational relations could be developed in formulating the necessary community programs to get the old with motive on social interactions. It would, for example, be important for the crafting of a program aimed at placing together older and younger generations in an interaction either of mentorship or even in living quarters could be tailor-made to curd loneliness (Thomas & William, 2010).

Sources of data about the research issue will be obtained from databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and JSTOR. Some examples of key words used in searching will be the following: "social isolation in the elderly", "loneliness and aging", "intergenerational programs", and "elderly mental health". The sources selected work effectively for providing access to evidence-based causes and solutions to address the problems of social isolation issues among aged subjects through the peer-review article material included.

Issue 2: Financial Insecurity and Poverty

Another bothering aspect is the insecurity in finance faced by aged citizens of the United States. Except for different welfare programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, a considerable number of aged people experience a tough time trying to make both ends meet. While this may not be very dramatic, coupled with skyrocketing health expenditures, the increased cost of living has unfortunately thrown a large number of seniors into dire situations since many had insufficient savings at retirement. This implies being compelled either to scale down medication or abandon much-needed operations.

An Eldertopia will have to be built with the economic challenges of the elderly in mind. This may include possible advocacy of policy changes that strengthen Social Security, provide more accessible, affordable health care, and programs offering financial literacy education for older adults. The research will be conducted through ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. The key terms to be used will include "poverty among the elderly in the United States," "financial insecurity and aging," "retirement savings crisis," and "Social Security reform." Among these many databases, a number of journals and reports published by highly recognized organizations like AARP and the National Bureau of Economic Research could be identified to contain informative data related to the financial difficulties of the elderly (Thomas & William, 2010).

Issue 3: Access to Quality Health Care

Another imperative issue relating to the aging population has been that of accessibility to quality healthcare. As their ages advance, most elderly people become victims of various chronic diseases, like diabetes and arthritis, or cardiac ailments that call for sustained medical attention (Thomas & William, 2010). Yet, because of high out-of-pocket costs for medical and caretaking services, as well as poor transportation and shortage of doctors, specializing in particular needs of seniors, many of these older citizens are poorly reached by health services. Further, dealing with Medicare and other insurance often overwhelms many seniors.

Improvement in the health access of the elderly may be fostered by expansion in telehealth services, an increase in providers in geriatric care, and simplification of Medicare enrollment (Thomas & William, 2010). Community-based health programs that provide health care to seniors within the convenience of their homes can be crucial in improving health outcomes.

Some of the databases to be utilized in researching this issue are PubMed and ProQuest. Keywords to be utilized in the search but not limited to are "access to healthcare by the elderly," "shortages in geriatric care," "Medicare challenges," and "telehealth for seniors." These databases will give me access to relevant, peer-reviewed articles and studies from well-renowned medical journals that I can use to understand barriers to access and possible solutions.

Issue 4: Ageism and Negative Stereotypes

Ageism, the practice of separating Americans by age, has adversely impacted the elderly. The negativity associated with old age often portrays the elderly as weak, dependent, and unproductive; this marginalizes and excludes them from society. Such discrimination against these age groups may be manifested in many ways: in the workplace, when it comes to opportunities for social participation, or even in media and politics.

These burdens or perceptions might well be countered with a positive image of aging-both real and pragmatic-through public awareness, intergenerational education programs, and through policies protecting older adult's rights (Thomas & William, 2010). Establishing a culture to which the elderly are treasured, like for instance the Eldertopia model, would likely change attitudes towards aging.

This data is going to be researched with the help of academic sources; that would include PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, and Google Scholar. Relevant terms will include such phrases as "ageism in the U.S.," "negative stereotypes of aging," "elderly discrimination," and "intergenerational education." It will open scholarly articles and research studies that explain what causes the trend of ageism and, therefore, provide the probable actions necessary to prevent the issue of being discriminated against.

Discussion of how/where to find the academic sources

Lastly, the following are the academic databases that form the basis of searching information regarding problems of elderly people: PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. These databases are reputed to update authentic and peer-reviewed articles. Further, reports of established organizations like AARP, the National Institute on Aging, and the World Health Organization shall be considered because these agencies frequently publish research related to aging.

I will then go ahead and search using the keywords that describe each of these issues: "social isolation in elderly," "financial insecurity and aging," "elderly health care access," and "ageism in the U.S." (Thomas & William, 2010). These terms will help narrow down the search in order to find material that is most relevant and current. Where necessary, a librarian can guide me on how to use the databases, as well as find other sources.

Information necessary in understanding some of the issues pertinent to these aged populations' challenges may then be accrued for probable solutions of such issues as one attempts to create Eldertopia by using such strategies. This would mean a fully inclusive society into so many issues: social isolation, insecurity with respect to finances, access to health facilities, and ageism. We can build on our appreciation for these challenges through comprehensive research using credible academic sources toward an Eldertopia that benefits people of all ages.

References

Thomas, M. D., & William, H. (2010). Eldertopia: A vision for an aging society. The Ohio State University Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology.

EldertopiaArticle.pdf

Longevity Rules: Editor: Stuart Greenbaum; PLiblisher: Eskaton 2010

-,

ELDERTOPIA 1---- William H. Thomas, M.D.

O ur longevity is an ancient thing. It came into being long before

the beginning of recorded history and it is intrinsic to the ex-

perience of being human. Longevity is also a matter of urgent contemporary concern. We live in world where influential voices

claim that humanity's flourishing longevity is actually a disaster in the making. A string of aging- related economic and cultural catastro-

phes are forecast to descend upon us all. I do not tremble before the "Senior Tsunami:' It is much more fun

(and useful) to celebrate the fact that we are entering into history's

most elder-rich era. From the beginning, human elderhood has been protected, sustained and nurtured because it serves vital human

interests. Old age exists today only because thousands of generations of our ancestors found it to be useful. Our unique pattern of

longevity - we are the only creature capable of living so far beyond the period ofreproductive maturity - now lies at the core of our humanity. Alone among all other creatures, we benefit from a stage of life that extends beyond adulthood. For millennia, our ancestors have

William H. Thomas, M.D. is the grandson of Olive, Durwood, Vivian and William. He is also a farmer, novelist, teamster, musician and geriatrician. An innovator in the aging field, he is the founder of the Eden Alternative and the Green House Project; and author of numerous books including What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World. He currently serves a professor of the practice of aging studies at the University of Maryland's Erickson School. His approach to the new culture of aging can be followed on his blog at www.changingaging.org.

Longevity Rules: Editor: Stuart Greenbaum; Publisher: Eskaton 2010 150 WILLIAM H. THOMAS, M.D.

understood elderhood to be as distinct from adulthood as adulthood

is from childhood. Life in a modern industrial society makes it difficult to embrace, or

even imagine, our own elderhood. We liveunder the sway ofa ravenous worldwide addiction to the virtues of adulthood, which, not

coincidentally, also reinforces the idea of old age as tired, worn and uniformly undesirable. Old people as individuals may be laudable, but as a group they have been redefined as useless appendages to

human society. Advocates for the aged work to promote the vision of a society

wherein the aged are elevated to a status equal to that accorded to the young, forgetting that the strength of elderhood lies in how radically different from adulthood it is. This dismissal of elderhood is an epic

error on par 'with a rejection of fire-making and the wheel.

Adulthood~

Birth Death

This figure depicts the intergenerational transmission of culture

and assistance. A. Support provided to elders by adults B. Assistance elders give to adults C. Gentling and acculturation of children by elders D. Assistance and affection given to elders by children

E. Participation in work of adults by children F. Food, shelter, clothing and affection provided to children by adults

ELDERTOPIA 15'

The diagram offers a schematic representation of the engine thai has powered human cultural advancement for tens of thousands ol

years. It has shaped us, served us, blunted our worst tendencies and magnified our best. Given the terrible might of modern industrial society, it would seem that we need this engine more than ever before. Instead, we are witness to the rise ofan "anti-aging" movement - which continues to claim, despite all evidence to the contrary, that technology will soon make old age a thing of the past. Deep down, most people

understand that aging is an inevitable part of life.What confounds us is the question, "What are old people for?"

Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm adopted the classic

"aging is a disaster" (for the young) perspective in his essay, "The Moral Imperative of Limiting Elderly Entitlements:' He writes, "One of the great challenges in America's future is to retire the Baby Boomers without bankrupting the country or unduly burdening future

generations ... Age could well be as divisive in the next forty years:'

What is missing here is an accounting. of what elderhood contributes to society. This side of the ledger is regularly ignored by those who believe an Iron Curtain exists between the wealth and vigor of adults and the ruinous burden that age imposes on the young.

Lamm goes on to declare, "We are a compassionate society and we can afford a lot, but we cannot afford everything. No publicly financed health system can ignore the law of diminishing returns ... It is necessary to find, among the myriad of things that we can do, what practically in a budget we ought to do:'

Old people become expensive accessories and, while we may be a "compassionate society:' there is a limit to what we can do for them. What we need is a radical interpretation of longevity that properly

values elders (and their needs) as being essential to our collective pursuit of happiness and well-being. It should not come as a surprise

Longevity Rules: Editor: Stuart Greenbaum; Publisher: Eskaton 2010

152 WILLIAM H. THOMAS, M.D.

that our language lacks a word that describes the interdependence that joins young and old. The wisdom of living in a multigenerational social structure is ancient, undeniable and deserving of a word of its

own. I like "Eldertopia"

Eldertopia / ell-der-TOli-pee-uh / noun -A community that improves the quality of life for people of all ages by strengthening and improving the means by which (1) the community protects,

sustains, and nurtures its elders, and (2) the elders contribute to the well- being and foresight of the community. An Eldertopia that is blessed with a large number of older people is acknowledged to

be "elder-rich" and uses this richness to the advantage of all.

Our longevity exists, has meaning and creates value because it provides human beings with a mechanism for improving the lives of

people of all ages. Far from being society's expensive leftovers, elders and the elderhood they inhabit are crucial to the functioning ofhealthy human societies. vVetabulate the money spent serving the elderly to

the penny but fail to appreciate the vital contributions that our longevity makes to society as a whole. We need a new and much more

accurate system of accounting. The pursuit of Elder topia can lead us with a better understanding

ofhow 1ongevity completes us. tor a start, it can illuminate the complex and easily overlooked intergenerational transfers that are essential to people of all ages. The "greedy geezer" stereotype can be seen as the inevitable product of a society that measures only the assistance the

young grant to the old. Giving proper due to the contributions elders make to the young undermines anti-old age prejudice. Understood in

their proper context, elders and elderhood can be seen as the best investment human beings have ever made.

ELDERTOPIA 153

So,what are old people for?They are the glue that binds us together as human beings. We need elders because we need families, congregations, neighborhoods and communities. Weneed Eldertopia

because old age is a precious gift, one honed over the centuries. It exists to connect us with our past, and to our future. !@J