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Aging, LGBTQ, and Health Issues

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The number of people ages 65 and older in the United States has steadily increased for the past 60 years, and is currently one of the most significant demographic trends in society. By the year 2030, everyone in the baby boomer generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) will be 65 or older and, for the first time in the history of the United States, seniors are projected to outnumber children. This demographic transition has many benefits for society as well as several challenges. As life expectancy increases, more and more people will be faced with health problems such as chronic illnesses and diseases. In addition, such a large demographic group has diverse needs and identities that must be addressed in elder care. For this discussion forum, please review the resources provided and address the prompts below. There are also many recommended resources listed in the course guide if you would like additional information on any of the topics covered.
Aging and Public Health: Given the size of the aging population, society will have to provide increasingly more care for chronic diseases and disability.
What is a health-related social problem related to aging? Using your sociological imagination, explain why this is a social problem, not just an individual issue.
Why is the rise of STD rates among seniors a social problem according to the sociological criteria?
Several factors have contributed to this rise. Please explain
Why people ages 65 and older are less likely to have been exposed to education campaigns about STDs during their life.
Some of the cultural norms associated with the baby boom generation that may impact this public health issue.
LGBTQ Elder Care: Although social acceptance of LGBTQ people in the United States has improved over the past several decades, LGBTQ individuals continue to face stigma and discrimination. These negative experiences, combined with a lack of access to informed health care and traditional familial supports, result in a variety of health disparities for LGBTQ elder populations. Based on a review of the resources provided, please address the following:
LGBTQ individuals face unique challenges as they age. Describe some of these unique challenges.
What role does homophobia and discrimination play in the long-term care of LGBTQ elders? What effect does this have on their lives?
Propose and describe a social action, community program, or public policy that could ensure that the needs of LGBTQ elders are met by health care providers and elder care homes.
https://www(dot)prb(dot)org/aging-unitedstates-fact-sheet/
https://doi(dot)org/1https://www(dot)beckershospitalreview(dot)com/population-health/stds-on-the-rise-among-seniors.html0.2105/AJPH.2011.300617
https://www(dot)pbs(dot)org/newshour/nation/lgbtq-seniors-face-discrimination-long-term-care
https://www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=fV3O8qz6Y5g

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Aging, LGBTQ, and Health Issues
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Aging, LGBTQ, and Health Issues
The damning revelation by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) regarding the aging population is a legitimate cause for concern on the social and health issues affecting the population. According to PRB, the aging population in the United States is anticipated to experience an increase of over 40 million by 2060. Although there has been a tremendous improvement in the social ad health issues touching on those aged 65 and above, including an increased level of education, improved life expectancy, and reduced gender disparities on the life expectancy, there remain some remarkable social and health issues affecting the demographic group (PRB, n.d.). The health and social matters affecting the aging population fuel the demand for improved elder care.
Mental health issues among the elderly are very common, with statistics indicating that at least one in every four seniors are experiencing mental health problems in either depression, anxiety, or dementia, and the numbers are anticipated to double by the year 2030 (Mitchell, 2014). The deterioration in mental health among the aging population can be attributed to many factors, including bereavement, the decline in social-economic status, isolation, and even elderly abuse (WHO, 2017). The health issues that manifest in mental health disorders escalate to a social problem when aging adults cease to be productive in society but rather become a burden. Dementia, for instance, is a mental issue that leads to the degradation of one’s ability to think and even perform fundamental activities, increasing the need to have elder care programs and additional resources to care for the elderly with the condition. Depression and anxiety are the worst mental issues that may lead to a high prevalence of suicides among the aging population, further escalating to a severe social problem.
Shocking revelations of an increased contraction rate of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) among the elderly aged over 60 have emerged, standing at 23 percent, which is in high contrast to the younger generation with a prevalence of 11 percent 2014 through to 2017 (Cohen, 2018). The high prevalence of STDs among the elderly can be attributed to social factors relating to sex; it thus qualifies as a social problem as much as a health problem. Lack of awareness on the potential threat to life that STDs pose among the baby boomer generation contributes immensely to the high prevalence (Howley, 2018). Knowledge surrounding modern medicine to prevent STDs is highly deficient among the elderly (Cohen, 2018), further increasing their susceptibility to the conditions.
Educational programs regarding STDs and HIV/AIDS are mainly focused on the younger generation, with the skewed perception that the generation is sexually active and more likely to contract diseases. This leaves behind the elderly, who are still sexually active and highly vulnerable to STDs. The taboos and cultural beliefs among the baby boomer generation impede their openness in discussing issues relating to their sexuality as they are considered a highly priva...
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