Based on the information the articles provided, I would say society is not adequately preparing for the physical and mental wellness of the elderly. The first article, "a boost for integrated care," states that older adults often seek less mental health care than others happen to, despite being one of the major groups who need it the most. After thoroughly reading through both articles, I believe society is trying to put effort in to get the elderly the services they need, but I feel these minor improvements aren't sufficient or adequate enough to support the large population of the elderly. Other than the general feeling of fear and being overwhelmed, alongside other mental health and underlying issues, there are still problems regarding transportation and insurance that create a roadblock for the elderly. Regarding the concept of an integrated approach to health care for the growing older adult population, I do not believe this is a fully viable solution. I do believe this can most definitely provide benefits, and I find it to be a good start, but I wouldn't consider it to be the most viable solution regarding help for the elderly community, considering there is a large portion of older adults who face poverty and struggle to make money, therefore highly expensive healthcare would not be able to benefit them too much. How would you answer this?!
I agree with your assessment that society is not adequately preparing for the physical and mental wellness of the elderly. The articles highlight several issues that contribute to the lack of support for this population. The first article emphasizes the underutilization of mental health care by older adults, despite the fact that they often have greater mental health needs. This suggests that there is a lack of resources or accessibility barriers preventing them from receiving appropriate care.
Additionally, the articles mention challenges with transportation and insurance that create barriers for the elderly in accessing healthcare services. These systemic issues need to be addressed in order to provide adequate support for the elderly population. Furthermore, the second article highlights the economic disparity among older adults, with a significant portion facing poverty and struggling to afford healthcare. This further emphasizes the need for affordable and accessible healthcare options for the elderly.
While the concept of integrated care can have benefits, it may not be the most viable solution for the elderly community as a whole. As you mentioned, expensive healthcare options may not benefit those facing financial difficulties. A more comprehensive approach that takes into consideration the economic, social, and emotional needs of the elderly would be more effective. This could involve initiatives such as increasing funding for mental health services, improving transportation options, and expanding insurance coverage for the elderly.
In conclusion, society needs to make significant improvements in supporting the physical and mental wellness of the elderly. The current efforts are not sufficient, and additional measures addressing accessibility, affordability, and comprehensive care are necessary to adequately support this growing population.