Social Analysis
Problem Description
There were a number of problems faced by the community of older Americans in the second half of the twentieth century. The issues included hunger, poverty, social isolation, affordable housing, and lack of productive and independent living. There was a lack of public assistance and support for these people. These barriers created a number of obstacles for older Americans to receive proper aid and funding. Most older adults were approaching the end of life. In 1965, the enactment of the Older Americans Act provided this population with a range of social services. These include meals and nutrition services, legal support and services related to the prevention of elder abuse, along with help for caregivers. These services make it easier for older Americans to avoid nursing homes and stay in their homes to live an independent life. Older Americans aged 65 years and older are qualified for these services. The establishment of the Administration on Aging by the Act also facilitates and oversees the needs of older Americans in today’s society.
Lack of proper cooperation in helping older individuals was hindering the performance of caregivers. The planning and financing of the different programs required organization among local, state and federal agencies (Adams, 2017). Accurate and effective auditing of the ageing networks was also lacking, and a leadership role at the federal level was required. There were certain efforts to improve cooperation and provide effective services for older American society. There were traditional ways of supporting these people, such as charity, assets, labour, and family. The extended family was one of the primary sources of support for aged individuals (Thomas, 2014). Responsibility laws were applied to look after older people. The grants and assistance programs have gained positive support for older Americans.
The programs and services funded through the Older Americans Act help people maintain their health and independence. Millions of seniors who are above the age of 60 benefit from the Act. The Act was amended to modify the structure of the national aging and services network. Operating in 56 states, the system provides services to the aging population. There are around 600 area agencies that perform their functions under this Act. In the same way, 260 organizations belong to different tribes, and these represent approximately four hundred tribes. There are about ten thousand employees, along with volunteers who provide services and support to the aging population. Similarly, the theoretical framework for aged people has extended many behavioural changes.
Theories of Human Behavior
Social scientists have tried to counter the problem of an ageing populace by using certain methods. Erik Erikson propounded the Activity theory of aging. He took a particular interest in the behavioural psychology of late adulthood (Eriksson, 2016). Development and ageing are perceived through the study as equal to the occurrence of behavioural changes. Erikson was of the view that ego integrity in older adults, while avoiding despair, is the main issue among the ageing populace. Those people who develop wisdom at this stage of their lives without having regrets about the past are successful older adults.
According to the theorist, there is a positive connection between activity and healthy ageing among older adults. The theory holds that withdrawal from social action leads to an escape from the traditional American belief in activity, industry and energy. Growing old means different things for older adults. Those people who lead active lives in their young and middle adult years will remain active as older adults. These older Americans have mostly conducted a review of their lives (Eriksson, 2016). Certain ways for older adults to look at their past include looking through scrapbooks, musing over photo albums and visiting their favourite childhood places. Older adults look back at their history and try to find the meaning and purpose of their lives. According to Erikson, older adults have an intense need to share memories with their family or with those who are close to them. It will provide them with relaxation in their behaviour and a healthy life.
Influence of Aging over Implicit and Explicit Behavior
Implicit and explicit behaviours unfold differently with changes in the age factor. The core construction of both types of responses revealed that older adults perceive the severity of their health (Chen, 2014). Implicit action is mostly high in the young, while older adults have fewer preferences. Regarding explicit attitudes, older adults have a higher choice than young people. The human behaviour of older adults is reflected through the genetics of ageing. Ethics are concerned with the activity that influences older Americans and the changes that occur during the late adulthood of the individual. Explicit attitudes exist at the conscious level. These are quickly formed and can be readily reported by the self. However, implicit behaviour exists at the unconscious level of the individual, and these behaviours are mostly not known to us (Gonzales, 2015). The Act will assist the experts in devising their policies regarding changes in the behaviours of individuals with old age.
Social Values and Conflicts
Congress, looking at the social conditions and the conflict associated with older people, devised the Older Americans Act. The policymakers were concerned about the lack of community and social services for older adults. The demographics show that the problem of ageing is a serious concern with changing trends and situations. The state is challenged by the increasing number of dependent people. Those countries that are less developed have a more significant issue in dealing with the fast-growing population of older adults. According to the estimates, in Latin America and the Caribbean, there will be 40 million older people. In the same way, by the year 2025, the ratio will increase by 10 per cent (Gonzales, 2015). The stunning growth of older adults would be an enormous challenge for decision-makers and those who are experts in the formulation of policy.
The majority of older Americans live in urban areas. The socioeconomic picture of Latin America and the Caribbean requires the attention of policymakers. The social impact of the aging population is involved. The plans and programs will be the result of social values and conflicts. Economic conditions, social relationships, and benefits will impact the policy. Commercial and cultural competition are profoundly influencing the issue of older adults in present society. Social productivity, along with inequalities involving class, race, and gender, is among the core values that influence the parameters of ageing people.
Short and long-term Goals of the Policy
The short- and long-term goals of the policy will impact future challenges and social competition among the different segments of society. Instead of focusing on the limitations of ageing, the plan will seek opportunities for older adults. The ways to maximize the well-being of older adults, along with their mental and social health, will be the priority of the program (Huffman, 2018). According to the study, those older adults who adopt social health behaviour and increase their activity have an independent and meaningful life. The American population has the opportunity to improve the quality of their lives by following the programs of the Older Americans Act. An older adult can live more than twenty years by following social interactions and relationships with other members of society. Volunteer work or services by older adults also help them preserve their health and happiness.
Political Analysis
Major Stakeholders
The support and cooperation of the social members of society help the aging community to have a purposeful life. There are a number of stakeholders involved in policy planning for the ageing population. Those include elected officials and agency staff of the organization. Town and urban planners, along with administrators of public works, are critical players in determining the values of ageing people. They have the power base to support the aging phenomenon. The Metropolitan Planning and Policy Department is also responsible for dealing with the issue of older adults (Lloyd, 2015). Development groups, along with the chamber of commerce, are also critical stakeholders in providing better facilities to the ageing populace.
Care centres, along with area agencies for ageing, have a part in promoting the welfare and well-being of older adults. The policy for older people also influences non-governmental organizations. The healthcare fitness community is also an important stakeholder in providing support to older adults. Associations and representatives of the community foundation play an enhanced role in the power base. Lobbies and representatives have the power to oppose any policy that harms older adults. Certain social factors provide opponents and supporters with active stances on policy decisions affecting ageing people.
Changing Environment and Decision-Making
Change is a primary and significant part of human lives. It can affect any policies, such as social, ageing, and health care policies. With the changing environment and conflict of interest, communities are required to adopt those changes and move accordingly. The population of older adults profoundly influences the aging procedure. Ageing adults are more likely to make poor and disruptive decisions than those who are young and have the active power to make decisions (Lynn, 2015). Some inconsistent choices compel older adults to make weak decisions. The study conducted in this regard concludes that healthy adults around 65 years of age made unusual and irrational choices in comparison with young adults. The stunning research further explains that older adults with normal minds show a decline in choosing consistency and rationality. The irrational decisions of the ageing population lead them to a loss in social and financial conditions. Desirable policy intervention can help older people make rational and reliable non-conflicting decisions (Thomas, 2014).
Policy Evaluation
Outcomes of Aging Policy
The increasing ageing population of the United States is affecting the socioeconomic positions of policymakers. The policy on aging has provided millions of people with much-needed services and health care. There are approximately eleven million older Americans who are receiving services from the Older Americans Act. The groundbreaking policy for ageing people needs renovation. Those who have the most significant economic and social needs are targeted by the law, which shows that the outcomes are of considerable importance (Ugalde, 2015). The Act has also provided employment opportunities for many needy and low-income adults. Community services and the service employment program have benefited ageing people. The programs of the Older Americans Act operate in every district and state of the US. People are consistently helping older adults enjoy meaningful lives.
Unintended Consequences of the Aging Policy Program
The unintentional consequences are the main problems for people in old age. The conflicts between the behaviour and attitudes of caregivers will influence the lives of ageing people. Older adults who are depressed and alone require certain actions, and caregivers recognize that enrichment activities are essential for these older adults. A number of older adults are suffering from malnutrition and weight loss due to the lack of support from health care centres. High rates of depression, diminishing smell and taste, along with other disabilities, are the leading factors affecting neglected older Americans. The policy can eradicate such lapses in the health of the aging population. The Act has an effective cost, which is easily managed by the average older American.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth mentioning that the Older Americans Act has provided the baseline for the happiness of millions of older Americans. The policy programs of the law have different functions and services for the aging population. The excellent social, nutritional, and healthcare services offered through various programs are continuously serving aging people. It is high time to revisit the policy with innovative and effective decisions. People can get extensive healthcare facilities for happiness, prosperity and an independent life.
References
Adams, M., & Tax, A. D. (2017). Assessing and meeting the needs of LGBT older adults via the Older Americans Act. LGBT health, 4(6), 389-393.
Bailey, M. J., & Goodman-Bacon, A. (2015). The War on Poverty’s experiment in public medicine: Community health centers and the mortality of older Americans. American Economic Review, 105(3), 1067-1104.
Chen, Y., & Feeley, T. H. (2014). Social support, social strain, loneliness, and well-being among older adults: An analysis of the Health and Retirement Study. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 31(2), 141-161.
Eriksson, J. K., Hildingh, C., Buer, N., & Thulesius, H. (2016). Seniors’ self-preservation by maintaining established self and defying deterioration–A grounded theory. International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 11(1), 30265.
Gonzales, E., Matz-Costa, C., & Morrow-Howell, N. (2015). Increasing opportunities for the productive engagement of older adults: A response to population aging. The Gerontologist, 55(2), 252-261.
Huffman, K. F., & Upchurch, G. (2018). The health of older Americans: A primer on Medicare and a local perspective. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 66(1), 25-32.
Lloyd, J. L., & Wellman, N. S. (2015). Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs: A community-based nutrition program helping older adults remain at home. Journal of nutrition in gerontology and geriatrics, 34(2), 90-109.
Lynn, J., & Montgomery, A. (2015). Creating a comprehensive care system for frail elders in “age boom” America. The Gerontologist, 55(2), 278-285.
Thomas, K. S. (2014). The relationship between Older Americans Act in-home services and low-care residents in nursing homes. Journal of aging and health, 26(2), 250-260.
Ugalde, M., Carson, K. L., Dye, C., & Haley-Zitlin, V. (2015). Evaluating the nutritional risk of older adults participating in the South Carolina Older Americans Act.
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