Lower socioeconomic status seniors are at risk for poor health and are less likely to have health insurance, depending on government coverage. This could lead to increased pressures on society to support the growing elderly and ill population. However, the authors report that there are factors that can reverse poor health in older people. Studies have shown that physical activity and social interaction result in better health for all, including seniors. Even those who had been sedentary and then changed to moderate exercise benefited.
Social interaction relates to life outlook and affects health and longevity.
A program called Experience Corps has been implemented in several cities gave retirees the opportunity to volunteer as tutors in elementary schools. Members of lower income minority groups are interested in the volunteer programs as well and thus can benefit from the social interaction and feeling of being needed. The studies are not concluded yet, but the hypothesis is the improved health of the volunteers. This article provides ideas for dealing with the future problems of an increasing aging population and the possible health care burdens that this group can have on society. The authors encourage taking steps to convince elders to become more active both physically and socially and for society to provide the opportunities for them to do so.