Social Inequality in Elderly Americans - 1115 Words

Social Inequality in Elderly Americans Elderly people (women and men age sixty-five or older) (Macionis, 2005), Have many obstacles to face as they grow older, many of these obstacles involve social inequality. Not only do the elderly have to learn to deal with many forms of Ageism (the stereotyping and prejudice against individuals or groups because of their age), some also have to deal with the fact that they do not have enough savings or pension benefits to be self supporting, for most people over sixty-five, the major source of income is social security (Macionis, 2005). This forces many elderly Americans back into the workforce to continue to earn money to support themselves and or spouses. Although many elderly Americans may choose†¦show more content†¦Choosing a long-term care facility can be very difficult because of incidents of abuse and/or neglect reported against care facilities can be overwhelming. For example in â€Å"Ending Elder Abuse: A family guide†, Diane Sandell lists many elder abuse i ncidents from her files such as: neglect of decubitis ulcers led to infection, sepsis, gangrene, and death. Facility failed to provide necessary diabetic diet; improper insulin administration, insulin overdose; dehydration and death. Resident left alone in chair in shower room fell, became paralyzed from neck down. Many reports of pinching, rough handling, slapping, yelling, threats (2000). It is believed that abuse is most likely to occur if the caregiver not only finds the work difficult but also (1) works full time, (2) cares for young children, (3) is poor, (4) feels little affection for the older person, (5) finds the elderly person very difficult, and (6) gets no support or help from others (Macionis, 2005). Although there is no excuse for abusing elderly Americans, it is still very prominent in today’s society. Diane Sandell explains in Ending Elder Abuse, that her 91 year old mother was beaten by a long-term care facility employee in the middle of the night for reason s unknown. It is stated that her mother died 6 weeks after the incident, unable to recover mentally from the abuse (2000). In conclusion, elderly Americans face many obstacles as they grow in age, such as ageism, workforce discrimination, poverty,Show MoreRelatedEconomic Development Patterns Of Employment And Retirement915 Words   |  4 Pagesmay possibly affect economic development patterns of employment and retirement, the way individuals and families operate, the capabilities of governments and communities to offer sufficient resources for the elderly population, and the commonness of chronic disease and disability. The social, economic, and demographic deviations that the United States is undergoing at the population level may perhaps have far-reaching outcomes on one’s physical health and well-being. 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