The American nation has an increasing number of old people living in it. There were times when people were scared of getting old. They were afraid of gray hair and a weak body. But now, a huge population is living above the age of eighty-five. This could be taken as an achievement, a challenge, or a threat.
People feel it’s better to live a healthy life than being old and weak at nine. Some people in their nineties believe they have lived a good life, but being in this age is like taking on an extra expense burden. One must pay medical bills for more diseases they are likely to suffer. Thus being old comes with the extra burden of paying medical charges. People live longer than before due to improved health and medical care. Medicines, transplant surgeries, and other treatments have allowed people to live a longer life than before. However, an aging population means that the government has to spend more on healthcare and individuals to maintain their health. The aging population comes with increased challenges for individuals and the state (Richtman, 2006).
Doctors and physicians have treatments and medication to cure several acute diseases. There were times when people used to die of pneumonia, typhoid, and other such diseases. But, medical sciences have made enough contributions to provide safe and cheap treatment for such diseases. Now, people die of hypertension, high blood pressure, and other chronic diseases. Nobody understands what would be the pains of a person who is made to live longer. Surgeries and intense medications hamper eating and walking abilities and might be related to other disorders. Thus it’s painful to make somebody live a longer life. The hardest part of being old is missing those who have left us. People live in nursing homes and are at the mercy of caretakers. It’s hard for those living it to live a long life (NAVASKY & O’CONNOR, 2006).
References
NAVASKY, M., & O’Connor, K. (Producers). (2006). Living Old [Motion Picture].
Richtman, M. (2006, November 1). Why We Must Combat Ageism In America. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/11/01/why-we-must-combat-ageism-in-america/#459622ad7fb4
