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S204 Sociology Lesson 6: Ageing in the Modern World (What is Ageing?…
S204 Sociology Lesson 6: Ageing in the Modern World
What is Ageing?
Dictionary Definition:
Ageing is traditionally regarded as the process of growing old or developing the appearance & characteristics of old age.
Medical Definition:
The gradual changes in the structure of a mature organism that occur normally over time & increase the probability of death
Effects of an ageing population
Effect on economic production
Change in social dynamics
(Social tensions, abandonment, loneliness among old people)
Increase in healthcare expenses
Increase in the dependency ratio. Eg:
More people depending on those people who are working.
Reduction in the size of the workforce.
What are the theories of Ageing?
Activity Theory
Developed by Havighurst & associated in 1953, assets that remaining active & engaged with society is pivotal to satisfaction in old age.
Continuity Theory
The continuity theory of ageing relates that personality, values, morals, preferences, role activity & basic patterns of behaviour are consistent throughout the life span, regardless of the life changes one encounters
Disengagement Theory
Views ageing as a process of gradual withdrawal between society & the older adult
What is Ageism?
Discrimination or the holding of irrational & prejudicial views about individuals or groups based on their age.
It involves stereotypical assumptions about a person's or group's physical or mental capacities & is often associated with derogatory language.
Most commonly applied to the elderly. Organisations such as
Grey Panthers
have emerged in the United States to combat discrimination against the elderly & to fight for their rights.
Healthcare rationing the solution?
Why healthcare rationing?
Help the "over-worked" healthcare system to meet future healthcare demand
Reduce burden on the country for ever increasing health care payment due to ageing population
What is healthcare rationing?
Planning for the equitable allocation, apportionment, or distribution of available health resources.
Macro perspective
Advantages
Bring about the greatest good for the greatest number of people.
Equality: everyone grows old - so we are not actually withholding treatment from the elderly now we will be doing the same to the young when they are old (equal treatment)
Costs incurred to prolong the life of one elderly person might be more productively use for more younger persons whose can be treated more economically. Thus, society benefits from increase in economic productivity that results when medical resources are diverted from the elderly.
Disadvantages
If there were financial savings to be made to ration care by age, there would be no guarantee that the savings would be channeled to the young
Age-based rationing in essence is unfair as age reveals little about a person's medical need and should not influence distribution of healthcare resources
Elderly will feel abandoned by the society as they do not wish to die
Failing to respect the fundamental dignity of people as everyone has a fundamental right to medical care. (Regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic class)
Does not consider moral considerations such as justice & human rights.
Anxiety & fear for youths as they approach old age