Negative Effects Of Technology On The Elderly

Within the past the elderly used to be seen as the wisest of the world, people who had been respected and listened too, but now they, “…face a number of challenges, including social isolation, prejudice and discrimination, a rising rate of poverty and sometimes even outright violence” (Macionis 134-5). The elderly is no longer being viewed as wise or intelligent, but instead are being viewed as frail, feeble and senile. Old seems to be more negative than positive in America, due to industrial technology. As Macionis puts it, “This change happened because industrial technology speeds up the rate of cultural change, which encourages younger people to view the knowledge and skill of seniors as ‘old-fashioned’ and unimportant to their lives” (Macionis 135). Because technology is popular amongst many individuals, …show more content…
Because the elderly have been around longer, they are viewed to know more, for they have a lifetime of experience. Besides mental capabilities, many times the physical aspects of an elderly who is seventy-five years or older are in fact frail, for their bodies start to shut down on them. Consequently, many elderly people need assistance in order to make it through their everyday activities. Taking care of the elderly is an increasing difficulty among many American homes, since the majority of America's population consists of the elderly. Thus, being one of the reasons why the convalescent hospital was created, so that the elderly have a place to go and live out their days in peace. When a person becomes old and needs assistance the children often send their parents to a convalescent hospital, or nursing home, so that their parents can be well taken care of. Although it seems like a great place to live, many convalescent hospitals have cases of abuse on the elderly because of the discriminating feelings towards