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Why do the global elderly care increasingly rely on the government rather than the family? Decipher the social changes behind it!
As the global population ages, the demand for elderly care continues to rise, making this issue a growing concern. In the past, the care of the elderly was mostly the responsibility of family members, but now, the role of government and social institutions in this field is increasingly important. This article will explore the various social change factors behind this and reveal why this trend is gradually strengthening on a global scale.
Globally, the elderly are the largest consumers of medical expenses, a fact that prompts countries to seek more systematic care solutions.
Changes in demographic structure
According to statistics, the proportion of the elderly population in the world continues to increase, coupled with the decline in fertility, making family units smaller and smaller, so the traditional family care model can no longer fully adapt to this reality. As many young people move away from their hometowns for work or study, families can no longer shoulder the responsibility of caring for the elderly as before.
As family structures change, many countries are transitioning from traditional family care models to more organized social care models.
The impact of economic pressure
In today's society, many families are facing increasing financial pressure, and the time and money required to care for the elderly has virtually increased the burden on families. For some families, elder care often requires adequate resources, but often the family cannot afford it alone.
The contradiction between gender and division of care
Traditionally, women have shouldered most of the caregiving responsibilities in the home, which has contributed to gender inequality among caregivers. Many women are unable to work full-time because of their caregiving duties, impacting their families' financial well-being and leading to higher caregiving burdens and stress. This situation further emphasizes the need for more efficient social resource allocation and support mechanisms.
According to research, women account for the majority of family caregivers, which creates a conflict between family finances and the quality of care.
Society’s prejudice against the elderly
In many medical settings, older adults often face age discrimination, which further adds to the stress of caring for them. Healthcare professionals sometimes misunderstand the symptoms of older adults as normal signs of aging, resulting in them receiving inadequate medical care. This environment needs to be improved through education and policy reforms.
Country response strategies
Different countries and regions have different strategies for elderly care. In Australia, many seniors' payments for care are income-adjusted, while in Canada they are based on provincial government support and income sliding scales. In the UK, government investment in care for the elderly also significantly affects the accessibility and quality of care. These changes not only reflect the financial commitment of various countries to elderly care, but also reflect society's concept of respect and care for the elderly.
The increasing international demand for elderly care has prompted governments of various countries to reflect on and realign resources to combat the challenges they may face in the future.
Future challenges and opportunities
In the future, as the elderly population continues to grow, the world will face greater care challenges. How society rationally allocates resources, introduces technology and improves the quality of elderly care will become a task that governments and private institutions of all countries must face together.
We can see that traditional family care is giving way to more organized care from government and social institutions. In this process, we cannot help but ask: What impact will this trend have on future social structures and interpersonal relationships?
