Late adulthood is characterized by physical changes that may lead to the decline of physical strength of the elderly. This may lead to the functional deterioration of the aged individuals, which may necessitate the provision of care by family members. Cultural values and beliefs influence how individuals view and treat the elderly. For instance, Western and Eastern cultures have different perspectives on the treatment of the elderly.
In most Eastern countries, the elderly are treated with respect and also considered as significant members of society. The aspect of filial piety and responsibility characterize the primary cultural script in cultural setups in the East. In Japan, for instance, the family members are expected to provide care to the aged members of the family. The adult children are expected to provide care to their old parents a concept that Confucians refer to as filial piety (Jenike, & Traphagan, 2009). Caring for the elderly is considered a value in Japanese culture. The adult members of the family provide both physical and emotional support to the aged members.
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Contrary to the Eastern culture, the Western culture emphasizes on aspects such as independence. Also, the culture promotes individualism which limits the care for the elderly. The culture is youth-centric and ties individuals’ value on their ability to work (Martinez-Carter, 2013). The physical changes that occur in late adulthood lead to diminished productivity of the elderly. This makes the youthful members of the society regard the elderly with distaste. The elderly are often relegated to nursing homes since the family members are unwilling to provide home-based care. In the United States and the United Kingdom, most aged adults live lonely lives which often lead to worsening of their health.
It is essential to provide care to aged individuals in the family. The elderly have years of experience which makes them capable of giving sound advice to the younger people. Despite the decline in their physical strength, these senior citizens can still be useful in resolving family issues. However, reduction in physical strength comes with its limitation. The most significant restriction linked to old age is the increase in dependency. For instance, in Japan, the elderly population has steadily increased over the last decade, which has increased reliance on the youthful population (Jenike, & Traphagan, 2009). This may negatively impact the economy as caring for the elderly may limit the productivity of the younger taskforce.
References
Jenike, B. R., & Traphagan, J. W. (2009). Transforming the cultural scripts for aging and elder care in Japan. The Cultural Context of Ageing: Worldwide Perspectives, 240-58.
Martinez-Carter, K. (2013). How the elderly are treated around the world. Retrieved 9 September 2019, from https://theweek.com/articles/462230/how-elderly-are-treated-around-world
