This essay describes three key ways in which elderly individuals face inequality and injustice in society. This essay was awarded full marks and depicts the struggles in which older individuals face on a day to day basis as well as the implications this has on their lives.
Elderly inequality
Income
Age uk found that 1/3 of people over 60 are worried about the cost of living and
over 1/4 of people over 60 worry about the cost to afford food and as a result
tend to skip meals in order to save money. Research taken by Barclays Bank found
that pensions tended to cut back on food expenses , especially around Christmas so
they can buy presents- in comparison to younger and Middle Aged families. Age uk
also found that 1/2 of the elderly population worry about the cost of heating.
Overall, there are 1.6 million pensions in the uk living in poverty- highlighting
the unjust, financial inequality elderly people face in society.
People aged 50-64 are concerned about job security and fear redundancy and
unemployment. This may be due to the idea in their head that they’re unable to keep
up with the younger workers.
Department for work and pensions found that older people are more vulnerable to
disabilities and are more likely to have increased costs to pay for care. They also
collected the idea that women, disabled people and ethnic minority elderly
individuals are more exposed to income poverty.
Health sector
Age uk found that 66% of patients in the uk are over the age of 65 but they receive
just 40% of health spending money.
Nurses too busy to help elderly people eat
1/4 Of elderly patients suffer with a form of mental illness, such as depression
and suicidal thoughts. ONS statistics suggest that those men aged 75+ are 40% more
likely to commit suicide than any other generation.
Sociologist livesey, mentioned that the health staff within hospitals tend to
disguard any issues and concerns older patients may have.
Department of health in 2009 suggested that mental health problems amoungst the
elderly are undiagnosed and unrecognised.
Workforce
Ros Altman (business champion for older workers) found that older people aren’t
given the same opportunities as younger people such as apprenticeship packages.
This is needed because people have to work for longer as the government got rid of
compulsory retirement and raised the age that individuals receive a state pension
in 2011.
Altman suggested in the workforce there’s a negative stereotyping about older
people such as they can’t do their job properly as they may be physically or
mentally impaired. This may ultimately lead to self esteem and well being issues
due to ageism in the workforce (Anna Dixon). May lead to self fulling prophecy
(Rosenthal and Jacobsen)
An example of this is achim beck, whereby he was made redundant from a city bank
due to his age. This especially was an unusual case as there was clear evidence to
prove this was the case.
However, it can be argued that elderly inequality isn’t as bad in today’s society
due to multiple factors. For example, free bus passes, senior discounts, Rainbow
Murray’s idea that the older generation are over represented in the CJS- meaning
elderly individuals play a large contribution towards elections and referendums. As
well as free TV licences.
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