Good Example Of Proposing A Solution To A Social Problem Essay

Introduction

Old age care is one of major problems in various communities. Developed societies face this problem more than third world countries because of social structuring. Youngsters do not get time to look after their parents and other old aged people of family. Pressure to perform in their jobs and other liabilities affect their lifestyle and it becomes really difficult to look after elders of their family in such a complex lifestyle. United States population is aging and almost all communities have good number of elder people including my community. Family members are struggling to provide proper elderly care. Bookman &Kimbrel (2011) mentioned that changes occurred in work & family life are impacting people’s effort towards elderly care. Currently a large percentage of caregivers is employed, and they hardly get anytime to take care of their elder parents due to their hectic work schedule and social commitments. In such situation elder people are left alone to take care of themselves (Bookman and Kimbrel, 2011).
The objective of this paper is to propose possible solutions to the problem of elder care. The paper will discuss best ways to take care of elder people by elaborating strengths and weakness of each solutions. The solutions will describe how children can provide care to their aging parents or grandparents without much hampering their work or family life. People can opt different solutions depending upon the age, health and mental condition of their elders. The solutions provided in the paper can be opted by people above 62 years.

Solution 1

Elder Care at Home in Presence of External Care Provider: Families with elder member can chose to live in apartment or building that are specially designed keeping in mind the basic requirements of elder people. For example availability of wheelchairs at all common locations, walk-in-bathtubs, limousine service, grocery store, shopping assistance service, pharmacy, and availability of common service providers on-call or telephone. Besides living in elder friendly environment, children can appoint service provider to help elder persons in taking their medicines, bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming. Such societies also offer meals-on-wheels or home delivery of meals(U.S. Department of States).

Strengths:

This solution is effective because parents will receive care without leaving their home. Easy access to all basic needs will make their life easy and happy. The biggest strength of this solution is that parents will stay with their children, and can communicate their feelings with them when children are at home after their work. Stay of parents at home allow children to build strong bonding with their parents that is essential when parents are old. Elder people are good in developing healthy bonding with their grandchildren that is sometimes difficult for working parents. Working parents do not spend much time with their children, hence presence of grandparents keep children happy and emotionally attended.

Weaknesses:

Families may need to relocate to a new house in order to find an elder friendly building.Children or elder people may need to bear the additional cost involved in hiring external care provider and food services(U.S. Department of States).

Solution 2

Adult Day Care: this service is provided at community level by different service providers. In adult day care, old people goes to day care facility on daily basis or for some days in a week depending upon the comfort and requirement. Adult day care facility take care of old people through the day. This facility is same as child day care facility where parents droop their children when they are at their work. Day care facilities take care of old people by including exercise programs, music, singing, dancing, painting, debate/discussions on different subjects, guest lectures and various other activities in their regular routine(Block, 2008).

Strengths:

Flexible timing and schedule allow people to avail day care service depending upon their requirements. It allows children that have flexible working timing or shift job to pick and droop their parents as per their schedule. The cost of day care facility is low as compare to full time care facility. Day care centers also provide opportunity to old age people to interact with other people and groups. Day care center also involve old people in different activities that are good for their health. Day care facility allows children and grandchildren to spend quality time with their elder family members and to develop strong family bonding(Block, 2008).

Weaknesses:

The cost of day care facilities varies depending upon brand name of the facility and different services delivered by them. Some day care centers have long waiting time that discourage people. Day care facility does not provide option to leave people during the night time. Hence, it is important that one person is at home to take care of old people during the night time.

Solution 3

Institutionalized Care or Nursing Home Care: This facility offer round the clock care to old age people. American baby boomers are now moving into different phase of life i.e. old age. Hence, there is significant increase in demand of elder care. Various healthcare institutes and Nursing homes offers elderly care services. Such institutions are often serve as a last resort to old age people who are: incapable to take care of themselves, severely disabled, alone, abandoned by their family members, or have no children(Merrill, 1997).
Strengths:
The strong aspect of this solution is adequate care in these nursing homes. Old aged people get good and timely care in nursing homes. Employees or volunteers, working in nursing homes, take care of their routine, diet, medicines and other necessities. Elderly people also get company in nursing homes as there are a number of old aged people. They share their time and experiences together and never feel alone(Merrill, 1997).
Weaknesses:
Nursing homes are very costly and sometimes they are even difficult to afford. Elderly people usually lack ample money and they are unable to pay the expenses of nursing homes. Irregularity in paying bills affects their stay at nursing homes. Elderly people are left in these nursing homes on mercy of employees. They cannot enjoy the company of their family members whom they nurtured. Elderly people also feel emotionally detached with their family and it affects their mental and emotional aspect.

Conclusion

The Problem of effective elderly care is common problem across all communities. There are various options available to take care of old people and people can select option according to their convenience and budget. Good elderly care at private institutions can be avail by spending huge amount. However, it is not possible for poor people to afford the same. Families are also preferring to stay with their old parents during the time when old parents need their children most.

References

Block, S. (2008, Feb 1). Elder care shifting away from nursing homes. Retrieved from usatoday: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/perfi/eldercare/2007-06-24-elder-care-costs_N.htm
Bookman, A., and Kimbrel, D. (2011). Families and Elder Care in the Twenty-First Century. The Future of Children, 21(2), 117-140.
Eldercare. (n.d.). Retrieved from U.S. Department of States: http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c23133.htm
Merrill, D. M. (1997). Caring for Elderly Parents. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.