The need for training in geritatrics

Medicare is used by our 65 and older population and yet Medicare does not require doctors to have specific training in geriatric care. Doctors are trained in delivering babies and pediatric care by the time they leave medical school but no focus of training is required for treating the aging population. Symptoms are different for an 80 year old when compared with a 50 year old. Doctors may be over prescribing medicine and keeping patients hospitalized longer. This could lead to more problems and more confusion for the patient and may lead to unnecessary death. Since our aging population is growing it should be a requirement for everyone in the healthcare profession to have skills in assessing their older clients. Specialty in preventative care for the elderly could hopefully lead to healthier, more comfortable lives. Sometimes I think policy makers and others in high positions deny that they are going to age and may need expert advice on their health. We all age but our country forgets to put proper funding to be of better service to our aging population. If we do not begin now we are in for a number of problems due to the aging population growing to such an extent in so little time.

Staying Healthy

I think more money should be spent educating our aging population on ways to improve and maintain their health. If we spend more money on preventive education then older individuals can live longer healthier lives. It also is a way to help older people keep their independence. Daily exercise is an effective tool in combating many aspects of aging.

My independence is extremely important to me and I think many others would agree that when they reach their 70s and beyond that they would like to still be able to live on their own. One of my fears is that I would have to be placed in a nursing home and I do not ever want that to happen. By educating ourselves on how to maintain our health would greatly benefit our wellbeing and possible keep us from having to take an over abundance of prescription medicine. I think when we reach old age we should be able to enjoy it and not have to be bed ridden for the rest of our time here.

Also if there is a need to be in an assisted living facility it should be designed to meet the needs of the elderly but also be a productive, uplifting, peaceful place. For some it might be the last place to call home before they a pass away and it should be as enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing as possible.

"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
- Mark Twain

Should Florida adopt mandatory testing of drivers over the age of 65?

I do not think that the aging population should be singled out for mandatory testing when it comes to driving. It should be for everyone because there are other age groups that have problems driving. The testing should be fair for all age groups. There may be some older people that may receive permission to drive during day light hours so at least not to take away their independence totally.

I think Florida also needs to focus on providing better public transportation. If there was a better transportation system than less people would drive and people would still feel independence if they could walk themselves to the bus/train stop and carry out their daily tasks. I have heard of a class for senior citizens that teach driving safety and goes over tips for making cars more user friendly for an elderly person with adding things like extra mirrors or adjusting seats properly etc.

I also read online that some communities are becoming conscious of their aging population and setting up community transportation and letting people know about the resources available to them. Older people do not drive as much as other age groups and they tend to drive safer. Some people with chronic conditions however over estimate their ability to drive, others might be taking medications that affect their driving performance and some have vision impairments. I think though if people are educated on driving safety and communities reach out to people then vehicle death among the elderly would decrease.

"Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race." ~H.G. Wells

Aging Stereotypes

            The stereotype that gets me the most is "that all elders are kind and at peace with the world". Though I wish this were true for every population not just our aging population not every older person is "at peace" with the world. I have met both kind and unkind individuals that are 65 and older. My Social work professor told our class of a case where a wife in her 70s was seeking advice on why her dying husband who was also in his 70s  was not talking to her and my professor responded with "Did he talk to you before he was dying ?" and the wife responded with "no". We should not expect people to change their ways just because they have reached a certain age.

             Another stereotype is that older people cannot learn new things or continue their education later in life. I have a Step Grandmother that is 70 and she regularly reads about 3 books a week, volunteers at an animal shelter, is an active member in the museum community and attends educational workshops. Every individual's life has its own set of variables and though we may have similar outcomes, I don't think we can categorize people perfectly. Another stereotype I have heard is that older people are boring and forgetful. Some of the most interesting and memorable conversations I have had have been with older people and they have told their stories with detail and clarity. 

            The stereotype that “older people are like children” is very degrading. It irks me to see people treat their elders like they are toddlers, and I think it shows a lack of respect for our older population. 50 years from now I hope to be treated as equally as someone in their 20s and not be looked at as a burden or chore. None of these stereotypes carry truth and they will end up being insulting when we are older ourselves. 

 “Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall from the cone”.  ~Jim Fiebig