Who Is Going to the Home?

My interest in aging and the dynamics involved in getting old has taken a huge jump since I started researching  the questions facing other countries.  


Russia has a much larger population of women who reach retirement age than men.  Men's life expectancy in Russia is 57 while women may expect to live to 72.  One report blamed the severe disruption in the Russian economy due to the conversion to capitalism and resultant depression with causing the rise in men's alcoholism.


India has problems with financing the old age experience of it's aging population.  It is dramatic enough that laws have been passed against abuse of older people and abandonment.  "Grand dumping" is the term used for leaving parents or grandparents in the city without support or help.  In cases where Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia have robbed a person of awareness, this has become more common and laws have been enacted to hold families responsible. 


The president of Peru has announced a non-contributory pension for those over 75 living in extreme poverty.  42% of citizens in Peru over  75 still work.  In rural areas it rises to 65% because they have no other resources.


The USA is certainly not immune to problems financing a comfortable old age.  The Baby Boomer generation has passed into  retirement age.  Social Security has also passed the time where the income from the working public is sufficient to pay the Social Security benefits to those who qualify for it.  There is a Trust Fund that is supposed to keep it afloat until 2033.  Generally this means Americans should do a better job of saving for their retirement.  Social Security alone was never intended to provide for a genteel retirement.


China has historically taken care of the needs of its aging through the family, especially, the sons.  It was considered shameful to allow your elderly family members to be placed in a facility operated by the state.  Recently, this tradition has been changing. 
Reports indicate that old age homes or retirement centers are popping up all over China.


Mexico claims a great advantage to it's US neighbor in Nursing Home accommodations.  It is much cheaper to be old in Mexico that in the US.  You might need to learn more Spanish, but compare costs and services if you want to live "across the border."


All this talk and facts about getting old is getting to me.  I have not forgotten how old I am, but mostly, I just ignore it.  I am still able to do almost everything I want to; well, you know what I mean.  Somethings I don't care to do even if I can.  But I do want to learn from those other countries I have never visited what their view and approach is.  I may have missed some important opportunities.