Ethical Issues With an Aging Population (Essay Sample)

Instructions:

According to the CDC, “in the United States, the proportion of the population aged >65 years is projected to increase from 12.4% in 2000 to 19.6% in 2030,” (CDC, 2003, para. 2). Caring for this aging population is going to be one of the greatest challenges facing the health care industry. Not only will the number of individuals requiring care rise, but so will the cost. As poignantly stated by Crippen and Barnato, “unless we change the practice of medicine and reduce future costs, and explicitly address the ethical dilemmas we face, there may come a time when our kids simply cannot afford us” (2011, p. 128).
In this Discussion, you will examine the ethical issues that the United States and other nations must address when faced with the health care challenges of an aging population.
To prepare:
Consider the ethical aspects of health care and health policy for an aging population.
Review the Hayutin, Dietz, and Mitchell report presented in the Learning Resources. The authors pose the question, “What are the economic consequences, now and for future generations of taxpayers if we fail to adapt our policies to the changing reality of an older population?” (p. 21). Consider how you would respond to this question. In addition, reflect on the ethical decisions that arise when dispersing limited funds.
Contemplate the impact of failing to adjust policy in accordance with the changing reality of an older population.
Reflect on the ethical dilemmas that arise when determining expenditures on end-of-life health care
GIVE an explanation of the ethical standards you believe should be used in determining how resources should be allocated for an aging population and end-of-life care. Then, provide an analysis of the ethical challenges related to the preparation for the provision of such health care.
References:
Crippen, D., & Barnato, A. E. (2011). The ethical implications of health spending: Death and other expensive conditions. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 39(2), 121–129. doi:10.1111/j.1748-720X.2011.00582.x
Public health and aging: Trends in aging—United States and worldwide. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm

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Content:

ETHICAL ISSUES WITH AN AGING POPULATION
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There are numerous practical and ethical challenges concerning resource allocation, and these issues are expected to become more salient if the dire predictions for the next few years will materialize. Health scholars are in agreement that there is a lack of a consensus regarding several policy questions that should guide caregiving to the elderly. It is important to note that many health expenses in late life are not guaranteed under the public health funds. Thus, the care for the elderly has always elicited many challenges, including resource allocation, organization and sustainability of the continuum services, and the issues of cultural competence in service delivery (Center for Disease Control, 2003). Apart from financial deliberations on how the resources should be provided, there are numerous ethical questions that need to be addressed regarding the criteria for resource allocation. Some of the challenges here include answering numerous questions such as:
To what length should costly treatments be mobilized for frail adults in the last moments of their lives? (Crippen, & Barnato, 2011).
What are the necessary boundaries of government-funded, community-based services?
How the balance should be found between public and individual responsibility when it comes to caring for the elderly?
Frail adults are at increased risk for negative results and are the most outstanding consumers of health resources in both community and acute settings. In the future, there will be an increased demand for all services and goods needed by individuals starting from their seventieth to the tenth decade of their lives (Mick, & Ackerman, 2002). In order to meet this growing demand, the diversity of demands, trajectories of health and impressive heterogeneity of the aging adults must be appreciated.
References
Center for Disease Control, (2003). Public health and aging: Trends in aging—United States and worldwide. Retrieved 03 November 2014 from < HYPERLINK "http:...

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Ethical Issues With an Aging Population (Essay Sample)

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