Contemporary Policy Issues Concerning Older Adults

Gavin has researched this topic and so shared with the group that there are several reasons why there are not more doctors trained in geriatrics. One reason is that this field does not offer the best financial reward, as it stands today. Doctors, who often have large student loan debt upon completion of their programs, are often drawn to better paying fields. In addition, the schedules for those who work in geriatric care are often not as appealing.

The Affordable Care Act has aimed to address this issue through promoting accountable care organizations and other measures to help encourage this field to grow. Yet, Gavin, Mel, and the others will make sure legislators are made aware of this problem and can vote to promote measures that improve the situation. This issue is particularly worrisome because moderate shortage now could mean a devastating shortage later, as the number of older adults rapidly increases in coming years.

Gavin agrees and asks if anyone else in the group has examples of disparity among groups of older adults, to ensure their concerns are heard. Another woman speaks up and says that she is the primary caregiver for her grandchild. She says that she interacts with many older adults who experience this same situation and yet do not qualify for typical support because their income may be just slightly over the poverty level. This makes it hard to make ends meet as an older adult on a fixed income, with a grandchild who has many needs.

As other members of the group speak up, Gavin documents the various disparities that affect what a person's older years will be like. Marital status, caring for grandchildren, ethnicity, income, and education level are all brought up as factors. These will be discussed with lawmakers during Older Adults Advocacy Day to ensure they are aware of what impacts an older adult in a big way.

Finally, it is Mel's turn to speak up. He talks about his experience as a person who was labeled as female at birth but who lives as a male now. He brings up his gender identity and his sexual orientation in order to highlight disparities for those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Mel shares how he and other LGBTQ+ adults have unique challenges not yet fully understood. Research into the impact of aging on this group of older adults is still limited. Older Adults Advocacy Day will be an opportunity to let legislators know that their constituents are affected by this gap in research.

In the area of healthcare, the group has several specific topics in mind, from continuing funding for Medicare to offering older adults options for their long-term care. As they talk with legislators, they will also plan on addressing the shortage of health professionals who have expertise in geriatrics due to less desirable salaries and schedules in that field.

As the group discusses the major issues of an aging society, they also acknowledge how certain demographics of the population may experiences disparities, such as barriers to medical care and less financial stability. Disparities are the differences between various groups of people, which frequently are linked with social and economic inequalities in society. Some of the demographics in question include marital status, caring for grandchildren, ethnicity, income, and education level as well as those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additional research may be needed in these areas and policy established to support these groups.

• Describe some of the policy issues that concern modern older adults
• Consider how elder justice impacts older adults
• Distinguish between the different challenges older adults face