Health and Social Issues of the Aging Population: Racial and Ethnic Disparities

Health and Social Issues of the Aging Population: Racial and Ethnic Disparities
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Introduction
With the modernity in the way of living and access to quality and access to health care, life expectancy in raising over the years, which results to increase in the number of aged population in the society. Different countries like the United States have introduced programs for providing extensive care for the country’s population, especially at their late age. Provision of quality health care for the aged population is mandatory to ensure that they live a long and healthy life without disturbing people. The aged are cared at their home places, established homes for the aged or healthcare centers where they receive adequate and quality health care from professionals in the care for the aged. However, there are major concerned associated with the aging population in our society that needs to be addressed in details to ensure provided care is effective for their better living. For instance, the issues on discriminations and disparities among the aged are rising in the United States as well as across the world basing on demographic difference and diversity in race and ethnicity. The major concerns are associated with the increased rate of immigration due to different social, political, and economic factors which result in the disparity in service delivery for the aged as discussed herein.
Over the years, society has been caring for the aged population, especially in matters about health care to ensure they lead a healthy life. The elderly population mainly comprises of the retired people who are in high cases economically unstable. Such people are usually under the care of the family, caregivers, and special organizations that are concerned in care for the aged. They need to be provided with necessities and life requirements in order to prolong their life here on earth. If they are not taken care of, the aged population may develop health conditions, which may result in early death. They may also experience depression and loneliness when left alone at home and therefore prefer services offered at the nursing homes or homed for the aged (Ferraro, Kemp, & Williams, 2017). The society, therefore, addressing the health and social concerns of the aged with a lot of care and competence to ensure they are taken care of by the assigned professionals.
With the advancement in the healthcare systems and the modern technologies in care provision, people can now expect to live longer than ever before. The projected population above 60 years is likely to be over 2 billion by 2050 across the world as the care system is continuing to improve. Some people go up to 90 to 130 years, depending on the type of care provided to them (Ferraro, Kemp, & Williams, 2017). The more advanced and effective care provided, the longer they live, thus increasing the population of the aged people across the world. A large number of this population is receiving improved care at the nursing homes where they are attended. The number of homes for the aged is also increasing to facilitate older adults to access the required care. Healthcare providers are receiving professional training and skills in care for that aging due to the realization of the importance of providing quality care for this population.
However, the aged population is mainly faced with various challenges, especially in efforts to access quality care at hospitals, nursing homes, and other established homes for the aged. Among the major challenge experienced is discrimination and disparity in access to required services and resources. The situation occurs due to the increasing rate of ethnic, racial, and demographic difference that exists in different parts of the world. People will argue that there are not enough resources to cater for the increasing number of aged people in modern society. However, the cases of disparities and discriminations are evident, especially in different parts of the United State. The aged people are treated and handled differently on the basis of their ethnic group and race especially with consideration of the place of origin of an individual. Discrimination occurs in different forms and has greatly retarded the effort of the provision of quality and effective care for the aged in American society.
As people grow older, they develop physical and mental diversity, some experiencing a significant decline in their aging process at a very young age. The reasons for inconsistency in the aging process among the aging population are addressed in the comprehensive public health responses concerning people’s experiences and needs. These people don’t experience random diversity in aging processes, a situation that is defined in demographics, racial, and ethnic diversity. The disparities experienced are associated with the physical and social environment of an individual and how the environments influence their opportunities and health behaviors. The skewed healthcare care provided or received among different groups is determined by personal features and characteristics which includes ethnicity, racial, family and social background and economic status of the involved person which lead to inequalities and disparities in health care for the aged (World Health Organization, 2018). Such issues can be addressed by enhancing policies that facilitate equality in service provision and care for the aged, regardless of the prevailing factors.
In American history, the issue of racial and ethnic inequality and discrimination is reflected in the immigration streams in the United States and the country of origin. Even though some diseases and health disparities develop due to exposure to factors like environmental hazards, poverty, and diverse behavior practices like smoking and poor nutrition, racial and ethnic diversity greatly contribute to limited access to medical care among the aged. Some diseases may develop as a result of genetic components resulting in health disparities among African Americans, whites, Hispania, and Asians. However, such factors have an insignificant role in contributing to the increased rate of inequalities and disparities in care provision in the United States and across the world. Ethnicity and racial discrimination have greatly contributed to declining in care provision among the aged population.
The need for care among the aged population remains constant irrespective of ethnic or racial background. Family, friends, society, and designated professionals are mandated to ensure that the aged receive quality care without discrimination. The society has, however, failed in the accomplishment of its role in ensuring equity and fairness is service and care delivery among the aged. The cultural disparity in caregiving is explained with emphases to the individual’s attitude, background, belief, and behavior and practices (Ferraro, Kemp, & Williams, 2017). However, these are not a qualified basis for the establishment of disparities among the aged in society while providing health care. The affordable care act and the healthy people 2020 requirements involve creating a need for the establishment of fair and equal opportunities for all in the healthcare sector with quality and affordable approaches. While prov...