Health-related social problems that come with aging have everything to do with the reduced ability to perform normal daily functions. The changes bring about disorders and, at times, disabilities. These, in turn, affect other social changes such as living arrangements and daily activities, which directly influence the social aspect of the aging population and their health. Retirement is a significant issue that can lead to stress and depression among the elderly if one lacks the mental strength and the right attitude to adjust to the new life and this can, affect the social life of the aging leading to a negative impact on their health (Baars et al., 2017). Other issues that are health-related social problems among the aging population are relocation and bereavement, especially losing a close family member.
The rise of STDs among seniors is a significant problem because the population already has a form of discrimination that affects them, so the addition of STDs adds to the same making their lives unbearable. The fact that one is aged is already a social burden and a psychological burden, so when STDs set in, the person becomes overwhelmed and is likely to suffer depression as a result (Harris, 2007). Other adverse outcomes of STDs among the aged that make it a social concern are fear of rejection, the shame that comes with STDs, the feeling of isolation, and at times the doubt that one may not be desirable sexually.
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Several factors lead to an upsurge in STDs among seniors. One major factor is the liberation of the baby boomers as a cultural factor. The seniors have the freedom to have several sexual partners without much concern as society deems them old enough and responsible, so nobody seems to question their actions, unlike the youths. The other factor has to do with sexual education as it majorly focuses on young people and leaves the older generation out, yet these seniors lack the knowledge on healthy sexual life. The issue of sexual education only came into the limelight recently, and so many baby boomers are likely to have missed the education in their early life, meaning that introducing such issues as sex education to them is unrealistic, as they would not grasp the same now. The net effect of the lack of grasp is an upsurge in STDs among seniors. The use of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra also has an impact on the STDs infections among the seniors. As the seniors go for the drugs, they fail to take care of themselves as many do not use condoms and other barrier methods, yet such drugs make them sexually active. It only means that as sexual partners increase, the chances of becoming infected also increases. There is also the bias that seniors have towards STDs; with many arguing that, the diseases can only affect a specific portion of the population and not the elderly (Scardamalia, 2018). This misconception leads to a lack of early detection of STDs among seniors such that when the disease is diagnosed, it is generally at an advanced stage.
Some of the unique challenges that LGBTQ faces as they age include lifelong discrimination in both housing and employment. The lack of social recognition, as well as related legal issues, would mean that even as they age, the LGBTQ seniors fail to get family members to host them, and some employers would see them as a threat in the workplace leading to early and forced retirements at times. The discrimination means that even as they age, the LGBTQ lack economic security, as they may not enjoy their retirement benefits. The overreliance on a chosen family or family member due to social rejection and isolation also means that when such a member is absent, especially when one is old, the individual suffers trauma, stress, and depression, with some even becoming suicidal in the process. The long-term discrimination combined with non-inclusive healthcare means that the LGBTQ face several physical and mental health disparities as they age (Muraco & Valenti, 2018).
Homophobia and discrimination play a very central role in the long-term care of the LGBTQ elders as the same would either push them towards seeking help with their health-related issues or remaining closeted even when they under duress in their lives. Homophobia and discrimination based on age and sexual identity become a double tragedy for the LGBTQ as they end up not accessing proper healthcare as some providers shy away from helping them based on sexual orientation. The situation, coupled with their age, makes them vulnerable not only to physical disorders but also to mental disorders. The individual is thus affected mentally due to homophobia and discrimination and physically due to age leading to an increased number of deaths among the aging LGBTQ.
To meet the needs of the LGBTQ elders, healthcare providers and care homes should invest in community support groups not just for the senior citizens but also for the senior LGBTQ citizens. A community support group, especially for the LGBTQ community, would allow the senior members of the community to be open, feel free and share their needs easily as they tend to be suspicious in the general setting, meaning that they hold back some of their issues. Having a community support group at the grassroots level allows the senior LGBTQ members to have social support, freed advice from healthcare providers, and lightens them up as they meet members who belong to their community (Hurt, 2018).
References
Baars, J., Dannefer, D., Phillipson, C., & Walker, A. (2017). Aging, globalization and inequality: the new critical gerontology . London: Routledge
Harris, D. K. (2007). The sociology of aging . Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Hurt, A. E. (2018). Confronting Lgbtq discrimination . New York: Rosen Publishing.
Muraco, A., & Valenti, K. (2018). LGBTQ Aging: Theoretical Approaches, Social Networks, and End of Life Issues. Innovation in Aging , 2 (1), 64–64. Doi: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.241
Scardamalia, R. (2018). Aging in America . Lanham, MD: Bernan Press.
