Sacrifice in an Aging Society Essay - 5763 Words

Sacrifice in an Aging Society Our society is currently suffering from a severely limited supply of health care resources. In his State of the Union address this past January, President Bush announced that he intends to commit an additional 400 billion dollars of the budget over the next decade to reform and strengthen Medicare. Currently, Medicare provides coverage to 40 million elderly; by the year 2031, that number is expected to reach 77 million. [1] As it is, the government allocates 21.6% of its annual budget to meeting health care needs; [2] unbelievably, due to the present nature of the system, even this huge proportion of the budget is not sufficient to meet the requirements of this growing, and aging, population. Today, our†¦show more content†¦From his point of view, an age-based rationing of our resources is the only way we can effectively manage this situation. In effect, he is calling for an ethically based self-sacrifice on the part of the elderly. In this paper, I shall analyze Callahan’s proposal. Using as my final framework the lens and language of sacrifice, I intend to demonstrate not only the efficacy but also the ultimate necessity of Callahan’s proposal. I believe Callahan’s proposal is the only just solution, and even though in its practical application it will have difficult implications at first, in the long run it will be much better for society at large, not only financially but also socially and interpersonally. The Problem Unfolds A financial and economic dilemma sets the stage and poses the question: How will we address the issue of allocating this country’s limited health care resources? Were there enough funding for all persons to receive all the health care they needed throughout their entire lives, perhaps this issue would never even arise. But the reality is that we live in a land of limited resources, and this question requires serious investigation and consideration, now more than ever. Why now? What is occurring now in the world of health care resource allocation that so desperately demands our attention? A look at some statistics will reveal the staggering reality of the situation and expose the vastShow MoreRelatedComparison of the Treatment of Aging Parents by Asians American and European Americans786 Words   |  4 Pagesconsidering the cultural approach of aging in late adulthood, we see that aging adults are treated differently depending on what community or cultural background they originated from. With the increase in life expectancy, many opportunities had been provided to psychologists to conduct research and practice with aging adults (APA, 2003). This has enabled many researchers to study aging in the United States and other countries. With those researches show that coping with aging parents especially in the UnitedRead MoreImmunological Theory of Aging Essay748 Words   |  3 Pageshinder their short lives, especially those to evade the aging pro cess. With society becoming increasingly interested in everlasting beauty and living longer, the race to discover the main contributor toward aging begun in the early nineteen hundreds. In the midst of this quest, several biological theories had been developed. Among these theories is the immunity or immunological theory. This paper will discuss the immunological theory of aging by explaining the theory, giving a history of its originRead MoreWomen : A Symbol Of Sacrifice1259 Words   |  6 PagesAnn Gagne EAC457 N1B August 06, 2015 Women: A symbol of Sacrifice Why are women titled as a â€Å"symbol of sacrifice† by many religions and how? Is it because she compromise with whatever situations come in her life or that’s how God creates her. As we know, women play a crucial role in terms of sacrificing their lives and wishes in many situations. There are many reasons for sacrificing but the most important aspects where woman sacrifice is their own wishes, career and freedom. First of all, womanRead MoreCare Giving for the Mexican Elderly1016 Words   |  5 Pagesindependence and an overall good quality of life. Families friends play a big role in the lives of aging Mexican elderly, â€Å"a social network is the collection of interpersonal and communal bonds that people have throughout their lives to establish social relations that satisfy certain needs, and maintain their wellbeing† (Vladislavovna, 2010, 1) this is going to serve even more importance as the aging population is living longer and the number of older individuals is increasing. Those with a â€Å"highRead MoreEquality of Life in Kurt Vonneguts Works1074 Words   |  5 Pageshuman nature and present society. In â€Å"All the King’s Horses†, Vonnegut talks about how we are all pawns in the game of life and that man is become machine like. In â€Å"Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow† Vonnegut talks about how the future may not be as we all hope it will be, that we aren’t as advanced in technology or space travel as we hope we will be in the near or far future. He also uses irony in this short story when he uses processed seaweed and sawdust as the anti aging drug. In â€Å"Harrison Bergeron†Read MoreTuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom Essay1250 Words   |  5 Pagestaught from a good friend. Tuesdays With Morrie is a true story of the remarkable lessons taught by a dying professor, Morrie Schwartz, to his pupil, Mitch Albom. Morrie teaches Mitch the lessons of life, lessons such as death, fear, aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness, and a meaningful life. This is a story of a special bond of friendship that was lost for many years, but never forgotten and simply picked up again at a crucial time of both Morries and Mitchs lives. Mitch wasRead MoreMany Americans Prepare For Adulthood By Pursuing Careers,1550 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual. Furthermore, care takers play an imperative role in the lives of aging adults. According to Paula Span (2015), in her newspaper article â€Å"Caregivers Sometimes Must Sacrifice Their Careers† â€Å"an estimated 34 million Americans cared for someone over age 50 in the past year† (2015). In essence, Spans argument is that children of aging adults are forced to miss work or even give up their jobs/careers to help take care of their aging parents. In fact, the responsibilities of taking care of another individualRead MoreLong-Term Care vs. Home Care1514 Words   |  7 PagesShackleford 11/02/2012 Abstract: The decision of whether or not to place an aging parent into a long-term care facility, or to try and to keep them in their own home or yours is one that many American families are facing each day. Factors in dealing with this decision are too numerous to count but we will address a few of them in the following paper, like the financial aspects, psychosocial, and meeting the overall needs of our ever aging parents. Long-term care facilities are a traditional approachRead MoreAging Population : A Social Problem944 Words   |  4 PagesAging population is now a worldwide issue for both under-developed and developed countries. This has created many implications for health care and government policies. In this essay, I will start with an introduction of what aging population is all about. The next paragraph will highlight why our aging society is seen as a social problem in relation to social, economic and political effects and ways in which the state can respond to this aging population issues. An ageing population is â€Å"definedRead MoreIsolation : A Strong Link On Social Relationships And Health848 Words   |  4 Pagesthe extreme consequences of isolation. Like captives, elders who become isolated as a result of geographic location, disability, family dysfunction or a shirking family experience similar psychological and physical disintegration. However, as a society, we have the aptitude to improve if not prevent elder degeneration into isolation. I would argue the pillars of encouragement, concern, veneration, and, policy, which stand on the foundation of societal desire is the formula for the prevention of