An analytical survey of changing population dynamics

books:


	• Faith In The Future: Healthcare, Aging and the Role of Religion Harold G. Koenig, Ph.D., Douglas M. Lawson Templeton Foundation Press, 2004 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image
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What's the World Coming To?

Because people are living longer (at least twenty years and more), and the Baby Boomers will be eligible for Medicare in 2011, changes will have to be made in the medical care, specifically Medicare. Already, this program which covers all Americans 65 and over is in dire straits, and it may have to become a "needs-based" program limited to the poorest elderly with related healthcare rationing reserved for the oldest and sickest.

It should have evolved into this state long ago as the rich older Americans take what they can from the government (as a given right) with no regard to the needs of persons not of their class. People who live in enormous, glamorous homes and spend a lot of time socializing at a country club should not be receiving Medicare. It must be limited to those unable to provide for themselves, as the extended family of the past no longer exists, and children of the elderly refuse to take on the responsibility -- leaving sick parents at the mercy of the government's social programs.

The Baby Boomers seem to resent their parents for some reason and now they are beginning to have health concerns (due to aging) of their own. They are concerned only with the possible collapse of the Medicare as it exists today before they can benefit from the "system."

So, the elderly are palmed off onto churches to beg for help. As it is predicted by professionals now, the poorest and sickest will be left out in the cold as there will be no place for them in affordable government funded long-term care. The rich will get all the beds.

By involving elders in faith communities as "volunteers" it gives them the emotional support and a source of optimism which will in turn provide stress reduction and improve their own health in unexpected and unique benefits, thus making them less of a burden on others and on the healthcare system.

Assisting the downtrodden is a theological mandate for most religious denominations. The painting on the cover of The Good Samaritan is your standard church literature, Sunday School fare, and makes a point of helping someone in need -- but, why is the poor fellow unclothed. They could at least have placed a shawl or shroud around his naked shoulders, as the family is well dressed for 1857.

Written by Dr. Koenig who has published five earlier books along this same vein, Doug Lawson Ph.D who wrote and promotes VOLUNTEERING, and Malcolm McConnnell who'd collaborated on an earlier Koenig, THE HEALING POWER OF FAITH, and writes about medical and scientific subjects.

This research and informative book "for adults of all ages, of all educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, of all health conditions, and all faiths" is a result of a conference at Duke University. FAITH IN THE FUTURE presents a synthesis of the historic March 2001 conference and expands on the themes raised there.

We need more compassionate people to care what happens to the old (65 yrs) and very old (85 yrs) as the numbers increase. One of my favorite English lit. poems was ABOU BEN ADHEM ("may his tribe increase" because of his good deeds in the name of God). My goodness, it's passed all bounds of the imagination.

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An analytical survey of changing population dynamics

The collaborative work of Harold G. Koenig, Douglas M. Lawson, and Malcolm McConnell, Faith In The Future: Healthcare, Aging, And The Role Of Religion is a critically important, seminally groundbreaking, and methodical analytical survey of changing population dynamics, a growing healthcare crisis, and the emerging role of religious communities in easing the painful burden associated with chronic and critical health care needs. Describing solutions to difficult problems across the nation, and offering a vision of greatly increased contributions from individuals and institutions alike to those in need, Faith In the Future is a copiously informative, ultimately upbeat and highly recommended study of the positive effect religious communities can and should have upon human beings and their many illnesses and health needs.

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Dr. Harold Koenig has become the international voice on the subjects of spirituality, health and aging. In this book he is joined by two other experts on aging and human development. They present a compelling look at one of the most serious issues in todays society healthcare in America.How will we provide quality healthcare to older adults who will need it during the next 3050 years? Who will provide this care? How will it be funded? How can we establish systems of care now to be in place as demographic and healthrelated economic pressures mount? Alongside the sobering reality of the challenges our country faces, there are reasons for optimism. Innovative programs created and maintained by volunteers and religious congregations are emerging as pivotal factors in meeting healthcare needs. Summarizing decades of scientific research and providing numerous inspirational examples and role models, the authors present practical steps that individuals and institutions may emulate for putting faith into action.

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