Aging Analysis Assignment
Human development is a sophisticated and distinctive aspect of human life. Starting one’s life as a zygote and individual develops through ten stages before becoming an old adult. The process of undergoing all those stages is known as Ageing. That incorporates many changes, including physical, psychological, economic, and social changes. Since aging and global transformation get termed among the few macro trends that occur at an unprecedented rate, most people among the aging population face a lot of challenges while transforming into the new world.
Older people have difficulty with their engagement and purpose in the contemporary world. They find it hard to remain relevant and meaningful in the modern world, thus affecting their social and economic niche. The elderly face a lot of challenges when it comes to sustaining their financial wellness. Due to issues on financial longevity, most old adults face challenges to keep up with the new models, norms, and tools of financial wellness in the contemporary world. They also face a lot of issues when it comes to daily living and current lifestyles. Old adults are having problems with that because of their preference to “age in a place,” thus having issues with current lifestyle when it comes to dressing codes, eating preferences, and other life activities. Based on all the above, it is vivid that the elderly are a minority group. According to Louis Wirth, a group qualifies to be a minority group when their physical, cultural, and economic characteristics are identical from others. That is to mean, they can easily get singled out from the rest of society. Due to that, they, at times, face unequal treatment and live somehow different from the rest of the society. With that, it is clear that older people are a minority group since their challenges align with the depiction of a minority group.
Franklin Void was born in Chicago, Illinois, six decades ago. He is a male African American who retired from the US Army (Marine Corps) as a field grade officer in the rank of Major. He deployed twice to Afghanistan while in service and earned a Marine Corps Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and a Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He was the First Son and third born to Stephen and Mary Void, who passed on due to old age while he was still in service. He married Perry Void at the age of 24 when he had just enrolled with the marines and got blessed with three children, one girl, and two boys, one of whom, Peter McClain Void, is a US marine. The girl, Vera Void, is an FBI special agent, and George Void is History Professor. His wife, who was a US army doctor, died a decade ago due to cancer. He lives with his son George in Chicago and helps his son’s nanny looks after his grandchildren when his son and daughter in law are busy at work. Apart from that, he has a vegetable garden where he spends most of his free time.
According to Void, his well-being rates at Healthy and Functioning. That is because he claims to have lived his life accordingly and has and is still seeing the fruits of his life. He claimed that even though his father, who was his role model, did not get to see his military achievements, he is sure he was smiling and would be so proud of him. On the other hand, he claimed that his mother would be proud of him for raising three successful children. Her mother was the family type who always wanted a family that was united and successful. That notwithstanding, he has no financial glitches, his health condition is well, and he claimed he feels healthy daily, to prove he showed me around his garden and how it was flourishing. He claimed that on a rating of ten, his health was at eight. That is due to his age and some of the limitations he faces as an older adult. Moreover, he claimed he had no health issues, especially on his diet. Apart from that, he claims that George takes him to a hospital twice a month for a medical check-up so that he can remain fit and face his old age bravely. Even though he was a field officer in the army and participated in several combats, he has no memory issues. Void claimed he remembers things like an adolescent. That was to clarify how his memory was still intact. He concluded by saying that his family all work hard to make sure he is comfortable and happy; to him, he was enjoying his old age and feeding on the fruits of his hard work as a young and mature adult.
Void’s most significant accomplishment was to serve his nation bravely and conclude his service without any physical or mental injuries. He claimed that even though he was not that educated, he currently can stand and talk with his peers who ended up being Chief Executive Officers and others who become rich due to businesses without feeling bad about himself. Based on that from ana economic point of view it is right. Void is not poor but can get classified as a middle-class individual who can meet all his needs and remain comfortable. Socially, his military accomplishments and awards make people in his society not only to respect him but also to look up to him for advice. He is a role model for his grandchildren and many other youths in his neighborhood. Culturally, as an African American, his accomplishments are outstanding and others from his race dream of it. Having that in mind, he is not only successful among his fellow African Americans but is a hero to many Americans. That elaborates on how and why his accomplishments are vast. One thing that was vivid about Void was the fact that achievements are not what people expect of you rather attaining what you never thought you would be able to achieve. That came as a vital lesson to me from him.
The Oldest Old video posited on the challenges and transitioning of older people. It was vivid to elucidate that the older adults’ population is rising at a high rate. Moreover, it made sure to enlighten us that for the younger generation to be able to reach the 90+ age group, they need to learn from those who are already in that age segment. From that data, they will be able to know which exercise is right for them and what diets they should maintain to reach that age group. Moreover, it was also vivid that the United States needs to focus on the medical sector. By so doing, they will be able to deliver quality medical services to the old but also come up with ways of controlling most of the illnesses affiliated with old age. From this assignment, it has become vivid that the aging population is increasingly rising. That is due to increased research on their lifestyle and improved medical and environmental conditions. Moreover, even though they get poised as a minority group, they inevitably will rise to a majority group due to their population.