Aging and Disability Worksheet Essay

Part I Identify 2 or 3 issues faced by the aging population. 1.Employment discrimination 2. Poverty 3. Inadequate care Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. †¢What is ageism? How does ageism influence the presence of diversity in society? According to Schaefer (2012), ageism is a term which refers to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly. â€Å"Ageism reflects a deep uneasiness among young and middle-aged people about growing old† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 395). Our society looks to youthfulness as successfulness; therefore, the elderly threaten those who want to be young and successful; thus influencing diversity in society. The elderly are seen as unessential, unneeded, and a constant reminder we one day will be old as well. So we shy away from associating with the elderly; so we do not have a constant reminder of our own ageing and immortality. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. †¢What is the Age Discriminitation in Employment Act (ADEA)? How does the ADEA address issues for the aging population? â€Å"The federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) which went into effect in 1968, was passed to protect workers 40 years of age or older from being fired because of their age and replaced with younger workers who  presumably would receive lower salaries† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 396). The ADEA provides a resource when there are suspicions of age discrimination in the workplace when it comes to hiring or not promoting or training ageing workers. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. †¢What is being done to address the issues you identified? Many companies have been taken to court and charged with violating the ADEA. â€Å"According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, between 1999 and 2004, complaints of age discrimination rose more than 41 percent† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 396). Some studies suggest older workers are more of an asset to their employers, are absent less often and are more effective salespeople than their younger co-workers; therefore, diminishing the stereotype of the older employee is a less valuable employee. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. †¢Is the number of aging population expected to rise in numbers or decrease? The aging population is expected to increase significantly will into the twenty-first century. With the decline in mortality rates and the baby boomer generation aging the â€Å"proportion over age 65 increases from less than on in 10 in 1960 to almost one in four by 2050† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 395) Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. †¢What types of legislation may or may not be affected by the aging population? The ADEA is one type of legislation which has affected the aging population;  ensuring they have recourse if discriminated against in the workplace. Today the Affordable Care Act will affect the aging population; however, to what extent is still uncertain at this time. Legislation which concerns pension provisions is another area which will directly affect the ageing population. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. †¢How does poverty affect the aging population? â€Å"The aged who are most likely to experience poverty are the same people more likely to be poor earlier in their lives; female-headed households and racial and ethnic minorities. Although overall the aged are doing well economical, poverty remains a particularly difficult problem for the thousands of older adults who are impoverished annually by paying for long-term medical care† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 397). Will the Affordable Care Act ease the burden faced by the elderly who are impoverished by debilitating long-term diseases? Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall Part II Answer the following questions in 100 to 200 words each. Provide citations for all the sources you use. †¢What does the ADA provide for people with disabilities? The ADA â€Å"prohibits bias in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and telecommunications against people with disabilities† (Schaefer, 2012, p. 401). The ADA is considered the most sweeping antidiscrimination legislation since the Civil Rights Act of 1964; thus, ensuring people with disabilities are no longer discriminated against. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall †¢How have people with disabilities been treated in the past? People with disabilities have been discriminated against in the past, unable to easily use public transportation, unable to easily enter public buildings, and basically treated as second class citizens. The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted to level the playing field so to speak. Making the once inaccessible areas or participating life activities easier for them to maneuver. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall †¢How has the attitude toward people with disabilities changed over time? Attitudes towards people with disabilities have changes significantly over time. Those who were once shipped off to intuitions are now productive members of society. Many groups across the United States sprang up utilizing this demographic in meaningful employment positions. In my community we have a group who work with the disabled from collecting sensitive materials for shredding, managing thrift shops, to years ago sewing the scarfs Elvis Presley used while preforming. Today the opportunities for those with disabilities have come a long way; however, the fight is not over, there is still more work to be done to ensure equality for all. Reference: Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall †¢What are some unique circumstances or issues encountered by people with disabilities? There are numerous circumstances or issues encountered by people with disabilities daily. The sheer task of accomplishing anything seems  insurmountable. Those with physical disabilities must depend on the help of others to simply exist let alone pursue a meaningful life. Public transportation can be difficult; sidewalks were not always wheelchair friendly, handicapped parking was non-existent which makes it extremely difficult to live. What about the being looked at as abnormal, those with disabilities must endure tremendous amounts of awkward moments daily from those who are not disabled. †¢What is being done to address those issues? The ADA has brought awareness to the plight of those with both mental and physical disabilities by ensuring there is no discrimination against this group. However I believe awareness is another step to address the prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities. We must be able to look past a person’s disabilities to see the true person they are, and not label them for their disability. †¢What types of legislation have been introduced to address issues faced by people with disabilities? The American’s with Disabilities Act is the most notable legislation address issues faced by people with disabilities. What type of legislation will the future hold? I believe the ADA has address all the concerns for this demographic; however, in the future there may be some revisions to the interpretation of the legislation ensuring everyone with disabilities is serviced fully.