Chapter
ten discusses the living environments that the elderly have. Some of the housing options that the elderly
have include:
active adult communities which
are large residential developments for adults fifty five and older; assisted
living or residential care apartments which are independent apartments that
include services; CCRC or life care that provides health and supportive
services within the facility; residential care facilities; shared housing where
two or more people share a resident and skilled nursing facilities that
provides care for medically dependent.
(p.262)
Although some elderly adults have
living options, there are many that are homeless. Our textbook says that the number of homeless
men is increasing and that between 1985 and 1990 over three percent of the
people in the U.S. were homeless (p. 263).
The falling of the stock market caused many people to lose their
homes. There are homeless shelters that
provide temporary housing but lack proper funding. “Many homeless people have a life-long
pattern of being asocial loners, with limited social skills and frail mental
health” (p.264). Not only does losing a
home mean losing shelter but a home can symbolize “permanence and identity” which
can also be lost (p.264). Not only are these things lost but a sense of
security is also lost along with the support of neighbors. The elderly
want to feel safe and have security but losing their home takes this away from
them. Our book makes a important
statement, “lack of a place to call home in one’s old age is tragically
incomprehensible” (p. 265).
Elderly that are homeless is a situation that is heart wrenching. The economy today is tough and keeping up is a large task. Those who were barely holding on, fortunately those people were hit the hardest in these tough times. Feeling safe and secure is something everyone would like to have in their life. Being older and having this taken away is horrendous. Being homeless also means no insurance of any kind. Medical needs are not meet and this can lead to health problems. There are programs out there that can help by giving them a place to stay and food to eat. These places need to be made aware in their local area. Here in Waco, there are things like church under the bridge which the homeless can go to and attend church. These are just small things that can be done to help in the community.
ReplyDeleteI agree, homelessness is a terrible thing to face, but for the elderly is it extremely sad. Not only are there daily needs not being met, their health is at jeopardy, especially if they have medical problems that are not being met. Living in Texas in the summer time can be very uncomfortable with it being so hot. I can't imagine how difficult it is for the homeless, especially being a senior. We hear on the news of elderly dying from heat exhaustion. Not having a secure place to live as we age is a scary thought. There needs to be more done to meet the needs of the elderly population, especially in addressing house needs. The textbook points out as we age there is a greater importance of having safe harbor. A home is more than just a place place to exist, but rather a place to be. Everyone deserves to live out our lives in dignity, pride and comfort.
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