1981-14 Study Paper on Aging

STUDY PAPER: AGING

It is estimated that bye the year 2025, 15% of our population will be over 65 years of age. Many of us will be included in this age bracket. Contact with the elderly by us now can help us understand the process of aging and the psychological/social effects we have on the elderly.

Like any group, the elderly have often been stereotyped as ill, hard of hearing, and/or senile people. As the case is with any stereotype, the image is not always correct.

Older Americans face many of the same problems we do. There is much need for companionship, adequate nutrition, health care, and concern over the effects of recent budge cuts in government programs. It is important we become more aware of and active in the welfare of the elderly because our future lies in our own hands.

We can have a positive influence on our future through continued contact with the elderly by bringing them back into our society as resourceful, knowledge filled individuals. We can look to the elderly for advice, comfort, and gain insight as to what it might be for us to become old in America.

Recommendations:

1. that LSM-USA speak out against recently propose government cutbacks in public assistance programs.

2. that LSM-USA support the advancement of the study of aging (gerontology)

3. that local campuses study the problems, needs and myths of aging;

a. Gain first-hand knowledge by bringing elderly people to speak.

b. Participate in small group discussion with or without elderly people.

c. Utilize resources in the community to organize retreats and seminars on aging.

4. that individual students become active in their community by;

a. working with the elderly

b. regular visiting with an elderly person

c. living with elderly people in their own homes.