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The Crisis of America’s Aging Society
Social Security
In the Age Bomb video by Cia Silver, Professor Hiroyuki Murata states that by 2030 most countries on the earth will become an aging society. It is also clear from studying Social Problems that the United States lags far behind other countries in taking good care of their elderly population. When considering that countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, and Japan all have much better systems of caring for their elderly, it makes sense that the United States should follow their examples.
In America, Social Security benefits are dependent upon how much a person works in their lifetime. Most Americans are low-wage earners, so likewise, their benefits are low in their retirement. Other democracies like the Dutch have generous government insurance for medical problems and nursing home care. Their benefits are much better than the American Medicare system. In the Netherlands, elderly citizens receive regular government home health visits and housekeeping aid which allows them to stay independent longer. Other countries provide less expensive or free health care to their elderly, greater financial support in retirement and encourage active aging. This mindset aids the elderly population and helps them be more independent as they age.
