Poverty Among Older Adults

Poverty Among Older Adults

Poverty among older adults is linked with an increased risk for frailty, declines in mental health, and increased risk for chronic illness (Stolz et al., 2017). Older adults who experience poverty may lack financial resources to access care, often delaying medical treatment and increasing the risk for chronic illnesses. Poor and or inadequate nutrition is often a result of poverty and leads to malnutrition, associated with the increased likelihood of depression for the elderly (Stolz et al., 2017). Increased and chronic stress from financial burdens can exacerbate and cause many health issues from mood disorders, insomnia, and heart attacks (Stolz et al., 2017). Health promotion recommendations include helping this population gain access to state and government programs that can provide financial assistance like Medicaid and Medicare. These programs should be expanded, and out-of-pocket costs should be reduced or eliminated. Also, increasing the availability of resources and programs that aid with present and long-term health care costs is needed. The need for local community support groups among this population should be encouraged to help with the negative consequences of poverty like social isolation, fear, depression, and anxiety.

References

Hoopes, A., Timko, A. C., & Akers, A. (2021). What’s known and what’s next: Contraceptive counseling and support for adolescents and young adult women. National Library of Medicine, 34(4), 484-490. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.008.

Langhammer, B., Bergland, A., & Rydwik, E. (2018). The importance of physical activity exercises among older people. BioMed Research International, 2018.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7856823

Stolz, E., Mayerl, H., Waxengegger, A., & Freidl, W. (2017). Explaining the impact of poverty on old-age frility in Europe: Material, psychosocial and behavioral factors. European Journal of Public Health, 27(6), 1003-1009.  https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckx079