Week 10 Discussion

Ethical Issues With an Aging Population

According to the CDC, “in the United States, the proportion
of the population aged >65 years is projected to increase from 12.4% in 2000
to 19.6% in 2030,” (CDC, 2003, para. 2). Caring for this aging population is
going to be one of the greatest challenges facing the health care industry. Not
only will the number of individuals requiring care rise, but so will the cost.
As poignantly stated by Crippen and Barnato, “unless we change the practice of
medicine and reduce future costs, and explicitly address the ethical dilemmas
we face, there may come a time when our kids simply cannot afford us” (2011, p.
128).

In this Discussion, you will examine the ethical issues that
the United States and other nations must address when faced with the health
care challenges of an aging population.

To prepare:

Consider the ethical aspects of health care and health
policy for an aging population.

Review the Hayutin, Dietz, and Mitchell report presented in
the Learning Resources. The authors pose the question, “What are the economic
consequences, now and for future generations of taxpayers if we fail to adapt
our policies to the changing reality of an older population?” (p. 21). Consider
how you would respond to this question. In addition, reflect on the ethical
decisions that arise when dispersing limited funds.

Contemplate the impact of failing to adjust policy in
accordance with the changing reality of an older population.

Reflect on the ethical dilemmas that arise when determining
expenditures on end-of-life health care.

By Day 3

Post an explanation of the ethical standards you believe
should be used in determining how resources should be allocated for an aging
population and end-of-life care. Then, provide an analysis of the ethical
challenges related to the preparation for the provision of such health care.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different
days in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional
background information, evidence, or research using an in-text citation in APA
format.

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings,
synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings
from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.

Validate an idea with your own experience and additional
research.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from
readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional
insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

References:

Crippen, D., & Barnato, A. E. (2011). The ethical
implications of health spending: Death and other expensive conditions. Journal
of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 39(2), 121–129. doi:10.1111/j.1748-720X.2011.00582.x

Public health and aging: Trends in aging—United States and
worldwide. Retrieved from:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm

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