Reflect on the topics and issues pertaining to aging and the family that we
have covered in class, or plan to cover in class in the near future. Take a moment to think about which topic
has interested you the most, and/or is most relevant to your life. Is there an issue that speaks to your current
situation? What policies do you feel very strongly about for those who are currently in late adulthood? What
social problems do you feel need to be changed? Which ones make you fearful of facing when you reach this
stage of life? What could you do personally now, as a younger adult, to make an impact on the lives of elderly
people?
The assignment is to write a 5-6-page paper assessing a contemporary issue that the aging population is
facing. The assignment requires that you do more than describe the issue, but discuss how the issue is
affecting the aging population taking into consideration contextual factors that affect older adults’ daily lives. Be
sure to include empirical evidence from primary sources to support your claims. Please consult with your
professor if you are unsure if a source is appropriate for this assignment. I will attach the instructions to this
assignment and the questions that you need to address
The questions that need to be addressed are
Questions to Address:
1) Describe the issue.
2) Who does this issue affect?
3) In what ways (how?) does this issue affect family members of older adults?
4) Are there social policies in place that pertain to this issue?
- If so, are they adequate in providing the care that older adults need?
- If not, what policies should be in place to address this issue?
5) What is the direction our society is heading regarding addressing this issue? - Medically?
- Socially/Politically?
6) Conclusion (summary/closing message)
In answering all of the aforementioned questions, be sure to take into consideration the contextual variables
that may play a role in the issue being addressed (e.g., family dynamics, culture, age, gender, family form).