Bridging the Gap with Elders
Longevity is one of the greatest achievements of the 20th century. Resourcing the elder population is critical for survival in the 21st century. Recognizing that its ramifications will permeate and touch every aspect of our society from the workforce to transportation to health care, the government is addressing the current and emergent needs of multi-generational elder Americans.
Older Americans are a diverse population spanning as many as four decades. Approximately 34 million Americans or 1-in-8 are age 65 or older, with persons 100 years of age and older- the fastest growing segment of the population. By the year 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older and the number of older Americans will double to approximately 65 million. For the first time in history, older people will outnumber children! According to the Census Bureau, one in every nine baby boomers will survive to age 90. As a result, there will be longer living communities of older, more active citizens. Longevity has become an American way of life.
Population longevity is redefining the concept of aging. The potential for productive aging is shaping discussions for the future. Health is no longer defined as the absence or avoidance of disease but rather as a state of optimal physical, mental and social well being about which there is mounting understanding. The longevity of the population, changing concepts of aging, and an extended healthy life span have implications for individuals, families and institutions. Programs for older learners span from computer training to Tai Chi with learner goals ranging from employment or re-employment to wellness to personal enrichment. Individuals are returning to colleges and universities to receive maters degrees at age 90! Lack of consistent public support of public policy regarding lifelong learning must be re-examined. The relationship between higher levels of education and fewer incidences of disabilities in seniors is substantially documented in scientific journals.
One of the critical issues for in the ensuing years is the attitudes and beliefs of children towards the elderly. Literature, stories in basal readers, television programming, movies and the media portray seniors in mostly a negative light. Research into the perceptions of children about the old has provided profound evidence that youth see aging, relationships with seniors and the process of aging itself in a negative, tragic light. With the elder population seeking ‘fountains of youth’ though plastic surgery, injections, make-up and the like, all populations are reflecting a desire to prevent aging rather than embracing it.
The myths and stereotypes about the elderly must be dispelled allowing children to envision old age as part of the total life cycle and look unbiased at attitudes, behaviors and characteristics of the elderly. Experimental research projects with adolescence like the Project Teen-Ager in South Carolina and LinkAges in the Dominican Republic or the System to Assure Elderly services in St. Louis, Missouri enhance children’s attitudes fostering positive experiences toward aging and give elders the opportunity to use their skills and transmit cultural heritage. Many benefits parallel co-operative programs between children, youth and elders. Eastern cultures like China and Japan’s 2,000-year-old tradition of the family structure, support, and respect for elderly serves as a model for all nations.
In older European, Oriental and Eastern cultures, when the mother gave birth and returned to the fields, grandmother raised the child. Our children need loving environments with which to grow. If children must be left in day care, then loving surrogates must be employed. Why not our senior population? As Dr. Prescott’s work purports, surrogates that are loving, caring and affectionate to the child have a beneficial effect on the neurological functioning of the brain and the learning process. With day cares employing individuals at minimum wage, what quality of care can be expected with so little remuneration? Could the elderly population provide this needed nurturing aspect in contrast to the cold, institutional environments of day cares? Senior populations provide a well-spring of resources for children of every level.
With the senior population enjoying longer and healthier life expectancies, with the need for mothers to work both economically and psychically, with the rise of divorce at an all time high of 57% for first timers and 50% for second marriages, elder employment can provide an opportunity to bridge the widening gap in this dysfunctional atmosphere. One-on-one situations can be developed for children by encouraging seniors and elderly to volunteer in day-care’s or stay with grandchildren for healthy, stable growth of children.
Caring for Elders
Nursing homes originated after the passage of the Social Security Act. With the passage of Title 18 (Medicare) and Title 19 (Medicaid), the entire nursing home industry was altered. The government supplemented much of the costs regulated by certain criteria. Restrictions followed and the institutional, industrial nursing home industry began in unprecedented numbers. While nursing homes in the 1950’s and 1960’s served many essential needs, there were always allegations of corruption and abuse. Nothing has changed in the last 50 years even though stricter regulations have been mandated.
Unlike nursing homes providing health care, healthy seniors began a totally divergent movement. In 1943 when the New York Welfare Department established the William Hudson Community Center, social workers noticed that older clients sought the company of age mates. Professional staff was recruited for recreation and games and the first Senior Center became an established facility for seniors to gather, socialize and recreate. These centers promote the enhancement of dignity, support independence and encourage community involvement. In 1978, The Older American Act, Title V, mandated funding of these centers. In spite of its uncertain cost savings and funding base, research shows that senior centers have strong appeal.
When Americans became mobile and distant from biological family and affluent with health care access to all, the quality of life for seniors altered dramatically. Rather than extended family members caring for them, rather than children absorbing the wisdom of elders, seniors sought nursing homes and senior centers to fill the gap. When the connection between the old and the young is severed, the lineage between future generations becomes severed as well. Children lose tolerance for the old because exposure and experiences are so limited. Fear predominates in relationships. Older folk are frightened and fearful of the young. The young are intolerant of the old. The treasures stored in the stories and tales of the old lie dying; withering and castaway in care centers and senior centers. The old get older and more distant without the love of family and friends to nourish them. It is imperative for the health of America’s children that this link be bridged.
Encouraging youths, especially teens performing community service, to work in senior homes, centers and nursing facilities, encouraging seniors to work in schools and having students on work teams to help those seniors who still live in single homes is a means for solving some of the major issues and problems of old and young alike. The Japanese, Native Americans and other traditional cultures value ancestral pride and heritage of elders, a precious resource for children to learn to honor and cherish. These vast natural human resources are lying untapped across the country. Districts must design programs to rekindle the relationships between the generations.