Louder voice for youth, but U.S. is aging quickly
According to projections released by the Census Bureau, people over 65 years old will outnumber children by 2035
Hey, look out U.S. businesses which cater to young whippersnappers, old heads have seen the future and it’s us.
Perhaps the time has arrived for production of skinny jeans with expandable waistlines or blue-plate specials for blue-haired patrons or those follicly-challenged. Maybe it’s time for that elderly cruise featuring a nightclub act by Guns N’ Roses.
Yeah, welcome to the elderly jungle, baby. Axl Rose and the boys will take the stage at 6 p.m.
As youth gain attention, especially following inspiring “March For Our Lives” events that delivered more focus on gun laws, gun violence and fear, old people should consider a “Limp For Our Lives” march to highlight issues that involve the elderly.
With youth being offered the power to lead the United States into the future, they better have a plan to deal with millions of elderly people who connect with serious issues including health care, financial stability, residency and whether mom or dad should have driving privileges.
As The Beatles sang, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I’m 64?” or even older. Stories may sound anecdotal about elderly making a decision between eating a can of cat food or buying medicine but they register as real events. Many of these urban legends are true actually.
Health concerns ratchet upward as issues regarding arthritis, heart condition, hip replacements, Alzheimer’s Disease, memory loss, depression and a litany of other concerns overwhelm elderly residents.
Youth may lead us but the reality remains that Silver Foxes and Golden Girls will maintain political clout, especially on issues regarding Social Security and Medicare. Old people vote and until young people realize that engaging in the political system matters, elderly voters can steer many social conversations.
We may outnumber young people by 2035 yet the elderly remain vulnerable, especially those housed in facilities or nursing homes. It’s scary to think about aging and being sent off to live out your final years inside an elderly facility.
Several years ago a friend had to find her mother residency following several scary home alone moments. She did her homework, made visits and finally settled on a local home for elderly residents.
A walk through delivered an amazing visit as residents engaged in just about every imaginable activity. They were coloring, weaving, dancing, learning a second language, singing and all were on their meds.
An unexpected visit several weeks later found the inhabitants all seated in wheelchairs or couches and doing nothing except watching television.
My friend’s mother changed. Something had occurred although gleaning any kind of response from her delivered frustration. We could not decipher the looks or murmured words.
One night, my friend tells the nursing assistant that she would get her mother ready for bed. Mother and daughter headed off to her room. The moment produced instantaneous anger as the daughter discovered that someone had punched her mother just above her left breast.
The family removed the woman from the nursing home the next morning as her daughter pursued legal action against the facility.
So, no doubt, elderly care will remain a crucial topic as U.S. society moves toward the day when older people gain a significant role in population numbers. And it’s not just in the U.S., Canada ages while Japan, well, the Land of the Rising Sun country moves toward ancient.
Japan has the highest life expectancy of any major country as women on average live to 87 and men to 80. Experts insist diet, makes the difference for Japan’s life expectancy. U.S. women average to 81 years and 76 for men. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are currently 53,364 U.S. residents 100 years of age or older.
In 1963, Japan counted 153 people who had reached 100 years of age. Incredibly, that number stands at 61,000 centenarians, according to the Japanese Ministry of Labor, Health & Welfare.
Sure, youth drives fashion, business, auto sales, and a list of other topics but the real truth tethers the fact that the U.S. gets old.
Getting old may not be the “drag” offered by Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones but while youth issues gain rightful attention, keep an eye on the clock and the calendar as the United States ages.