World of Senior Citizen in 2015 - Essay Example

a) World of senior citizen in 2015 The world of senior citizen in 2015 is envisioned as one where, aging has been accepted as an unavoidable life long process and the aging population is an integral and significant (almost one in every three), part of the society, culture and demography. The aged are not seen as a stagnating force; dependants or burden on the society. They are considered as proactive members of the society, bringing about progressive change and are equal beneficiary to the fruits of societal progress. The harsh demarcations, regarding age has yielded to one where all humans, irrespective of age, have rights and obligations. 2015 is an ideal world for the senior citizens as issues like social integration, gender advancement; economic welfare, health and poverty are not disassociated from the subject of the aging. There is change in attitude of the family, community, the government as well as the society towards the aging demography. They are viewed as an integral, important, essential and significant part of the entire human community. Positive, sustainable and collaborative endeavors on the part of the Government (state national and international), institution (formal/informal, local community etc), academic circles and NGO has identified and addressed the problems of the elderly, who have been woven into or represent the main stream population. Tailored and specific (rural/urban; developed/developing/underdeveloped, invalid/non-dependants ECT) solutions to the unique problems of the aging populations had been formulated and implemented successfully. Both the urban and the rural milieu has been rejuvenated and remodeled to allow better living of the multilayered demography. The importance of the elderly, within the family structure, not just as transmitters of heritage, and their greater social significance is realized, as the aged become active contributors and participants with their years of experience and expertise. The experience and talent of the aged is appropriately harnessed. The aged are not just infirm dependants who drain financial, medical and social resource of the society, but are willing contributors. They form a unique and effective human work force, socially active in voluntary, non-profitable as well as profitable activities. The young do not consider the elderly as a threat to their employment opportunity; rather they consider the revolutionary changes in the demography which increasing presence of the elderly as distinct opportunity for learning as well employment. Various actions and policies taken for the amelioration of the elderly is reinforced and implemented. Since the aging population permeates every aspect of the society (social, financial, economic, cultural) various flexible age accommodative policies and programs are integrated. A flexible work structure, adoption of age specific healthy life styles, on going learning process where skills are continually improvised, and profound forethought for sustaining and preserving the social edifice is an inherent part of the social structure. The lessons gained from the aging populations are successfully implemented for the welfare of the newer generations. The technological, informational, cultural and global surges also encompass the aging demography. With in the diverse forms of living structures in the rural and urban areas, near or with children, in old age homes or in- home care for those living independently one pervasive commonality is that they live a life of dignity where their medical, financial, social, health and recreational needs are catered to. It truly comprises of a “society for all”. (b) The transformation envisaged for the aging population can become a reality when the issue is addressed along several parameters. The various factors that need to be evaluated are; the relevance of the past methods for affecting the change, the knowledge and information required for developing appropriate action oriented strategies, the theoretical paradigm suitable for a better comprehension of the issue, the actual strategies for effective solution and mobilization of public support for the program. (¡) Relevance of Past Efforts The history of the research, academic studies, efforts, policies, and programs is crucial for formulating more effective strategies, programs and polices. Ideas are not conceptualized in vacuum dissociated from all events past or present. They are geminated and at times evolved from earlier ideas and concepts. We learn from our past mistakes and success and seek to sustain, improvise or alter them to arrive at a better resolutions of various social issues like aging. History of social work regarding aging present a certain point of reference for the future course of action. Various activities, including state policies, for the amelioration of the condition of the elderly with good success rate should be sustained and evaluated for any further scope of improvement. The success history of various NGO’s and government-funded organization in addressing the problems of the aging community has to be qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. So that fund can be allocated and efforts can be concentrated towards the specific activities of these organization. The manner in which the aged are viewed, namely as infirm, and servile dependants has to be altered by the joint effort of the government, media, advertising as well as social workers. The aged are willing to be active social participants but are unable to do so in the absence of a society architectured for the elderly. Accepting the fact that the aging population will continue to be a growing population there is an urgent need to alter the traditional, attitude, working environment and structure, legal and financial structure, policies for medical aid and community support system. Accommodation for the elderly should address their specific need of safety, mobility and independence; change in the rigid legislations regarding hiring and firing (retirement) for a age –adjusted one with slow transition towards retirement; accessibility of information, technology, and communication to the elderly and a life long learning and training process; individual and region (rural/urban) specific strategies for the aged, has to be developed. (¡¡) Information required In order to device effective strategies for tackling problems of the senior citizens relevant yet ample information has to be gathered. Theoretical frame works that can find empirical application for appropriate strategy development must be examined. Information regarding the various government policies and programs which have positive or negative effect on the aging people has to be comprehended. The various governmental efforts directed towards aiding the aged population as well as providing for their inclusions into all areas of life have to be studied. For example during the International Year of Older Persons, the Parliamentary Assembly of the council of Europe urged the Committee of Ministers to call upon the member state to adhere to the international mechanism for the old people and drew an appeal in favor of European Social Charter 1988 Protocol, Article 4 , which is dedicated for the older citizens. Historical data and information regarding the various policies, programs and strategies for the older people has to be analyzed critically. It is also pertinent to have information about the specific problems of security, mobility as well as various financial, socio-economic, medical, socio-cultural, employment issues etc concerning the old people. The problems and issue concerning the rural old and urban old are not identical, neither are the problems of the old in different geographical regions (developed/developing /underdeveloped, local/regional, urban/Rural) similar. The work done by other agencies (formal/informal) in the specific area where the strategies are sought to be implemented has to look into also. (¡¡¡) The theoretical framework for interpreting the problem The theoretical framework presented by Jordan, and Jim Ife extend important insights for a comprehension of the problem regarding the old people. Jordan perspective inclines towards the interpretation and understanding of the problem using the symbolic Interaction theory where the social worker develops a social relationship with the service users. In his new book titled “Social work and the third way: Tough Love as the social policy”, the Jordan brother’s identify through meticulous examination of the effect of the “New Labor government” on social policy and the type of social work in United Kingdom. They Point out the problems posed by the “Third Way” principles of the government which stresses on “work, taxation and individual responsibility, social inclusion” and the relegation of the issue of poverty. This book enables better understanding of how the state policies and their implementation can hinder social work in a particular region. Jordan’s assert that social work has been largely unsuccessful because the policy of social inclusion has diverted attention from the problem of social exclusion, which has merely remained as a topic of discussion without actual action oriented effort. The new direction of social work is more towards monitoring, hazard assessment, and management of care and service allocation in a rationing manner by strict technical surveillance. The focus of social work instead should be on poverty elevation, unique projects for inclusion of the excluded community by revitalization of the social fabric and community welfare. Jordan resents the intense reliance on technology to the exclusion of communication for social work and pre-packaged and pre-defined services instead of tailor made ones. The Jordan’s (p304) resent and argue against the 'top down policy prescription and accountability' where 'positivist pursuit of what works' leads to alienation of the social work from social relation which is developed only through empirical practice. Thus the problem of the older population can be identified and solved only through development of effective communication nexus and not through implementation of pre-determined solutions derived from reliance on technology. Thus the Jordan’s profess (p210) for social work using authentic and quality research, a collaborative and cooperative approach with the service receivers with in the framework of the prevailing power, authority and justice. The nexus between ecology and social justice has special importance in relation to social work concerning the aged population. A mutually reciprocal, non-hierarchical and non-restrictive ecological scenario is required for successful social work practice. As long as the social, financial, economic and structural milieu is not conducive for the cause of the aged population social work practice will not be effective. (¡v) Strategies for affecting change Effective strategies, for bringing about positive change in the condition of the older population are possible by devising clear cut objectives. The specific area where social work is to be carried out has to be identified. Weather the older community belong to a rural area, or an urban area; to under developed, developing or developed country: is a women or a man; the local community he/she dwells in: is an active person or physically dependant: are important factors to the development of conscientious strategy. After the area and objective have been identified strategies can be formulated. Strategies designed to address the problem of the older people in the urban area of a developed nation are stated below: Social work for this particular community requires a multi-dimensional strategy which includes community work, lobbying, advocacy and counseling. The greatest amount of effort should be diverted towards community work and advocacy. Community work and advocacy is targeted towards changing the negative attitude of the people towards the elderly and providing a healthy and secure milieu for the aged, by working closely with the families, service users (older people), and people in the community as well as through other communication processes like media and advertising. Specific community development and training programs, aimed at making the elders more self reliant by providing them access to education, newer technology and information source; will go a long way in enabling the more active elders to contribute productively to the society. Educating the youth and families about importance of the elders and about the significance of a life long education, training process as well as the need for adopting a better life style is important. Educating the elders about their rights and the community about how the older population can be included within the community. Setting actively functional old-age homes where the elders feel at home. Lobbying, for the cause of the elderly so that a society architectured for the older population can be formulated, as well as counseling for the family members and the aged, is also essential. One of the most effective techniques is to work in tandem with governmental organizations and other non-governmental agencies. (v) Garnering public support for the cause of the elderly The only way development can become an integral part of a societal structure is by formulating innovative and contextual strategies and solutions and making them an inherent entity of the structure. While development is basically a dynamic process the social structure is more or less stable. Hence integrating development into the very structure of the society is not an easy task. One of the most effective techniques is to effect change in the very agents of change. Support from the people namely the agents and a changed and positive attitude towards the cause of the older population is absolutely imperative. Public support for the specific cause can be mobilized by initiating change in the basic attitude of the people. In societies with a joint family structure the position of the elders traditionally is one of respect and their importance to the family structure and community is realized. However with changing family structure, industrialization and modernization this traditional attitude has waned even in those societies. An aged person is considered a burden on the family and society, draining out the resources of the state and community, a social recluse, incapable of contributing productively. By employing the various methods of communication the public has to be lead in to see a different side of the world of the older people. Reality programs on television featuring the aged who are actively committed towards performing social roles, shows advertisements of success stories of the aged, projecting role models in the higher age categories and depicting the aged in a positive manner in all media's are some of the effective measures for bringing about a change in the people’s attitude. The aged are a valued and self-reliant resource who are willing to participate in the social progress and are entitled to their share in it. It is also necessary to disclose the revolutionary shift in the demography, where the in a few years the aged will comprise of a significant population in the society, to the public. Such information will make people realize that the society to be truly a society for all and not just for the young. People can thus empathies and participate in the campaign to bring about changes in recruitment and retirement policies, push for a life long learning and training process, fight for safer accommodations and community for the elders, lobby for greater financial and medical resources for the aged etc. This can be achieved, in part if not whole, by counseling the family members of the aged to sensitize them to the specific needs of the elderly population. With erosion of the traditional family structure, and with greater proportion of women engaged in mainstream employment, the elders in the community could operate as an extended family for the children. At the same time, day care facilities can evoke greater interest in the families of the elderly population to the issues of the aged. Meanwhile, the aged have to be made aware of their rights and provided with easy access to complaint forums (both formal and informal), in case of any breach. Bibliography Beddoe Liz, 2006, Practice Social Work and the Third Way: Tough Love as Social Policy, Bill Jordan with Charlie Jordan, Book Review, e-contentmanagement, (online) available at http://hsr.e-contentmanagement.com/15.1/15.1.11d.html The future of senior citizens: protection, participation and promotion (Extract from the Official Gazette of the Council of Europe - September 1999),Parliamentary Assembly,Assemblée parlementaire,Recommendation 1428 (1999)1, (online) available at http://assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/ta99/erec1428.htm Mueller Regina, June 11 – 16, 2000 /, COMMUNITY & NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY, JOURNAL ISSUE 7, IUC journal of social theory and practice,(online) available at http://www.bemidjistate.edu/SW_Journal/ Read More