June 11, 2004
DYING IN DISCOMFORT (via Michael Herdegen):
600,000 elderly without care by 2031 (Yahoo!, 6/11/04)
More than 500,000 frail and elderly Australians will be living alone without the care of family or friends within the next 30 years, a study has found.The study of Australia's ageing population by the National Centre of Social and Economic Modelling, a research department of the University of Canberra, found that by 2031 only 35 unpaid principal carers would be available for every 100 older Australians needing care.
This figure was down 40 per cent from 2001, when 57 carers were available per 100 older persons.
The wages of secularism... Posted by Orrin Judd at June 11, 2004 1:51 PM
This is exactly why it would be an excellent idea to allow unchecked Mexican immigration, or better yet, to annex Mexico.
Baby Boomers would much rather stay in their homes, with some assistence, than go to a nursing home. (Who wouldn't ?).
Plentiful, cheap, young labor would be a perfect fit. Over time, the Boomers would gradually transfer their accumulated wealth to their servants, and the household help would gradually become middle class. Win/win.
Some would object that the Boomer's kids should receive the bulk of Boomer's wealth, but how much do they think will be left after a decade or two in a nursing home ?
Further, what moral claim do children have to an inheritance, if they've done nothing to help their aged parents live with dignity ?
Secularism? You must be joking.
Such are the wages of high wages.
Posted by: Jeff Guinn at June 11, 2004 10:13 PMWe've higher and a growing population.
Posted by: oj at June 11, 2004 10:17 PM"Such are the wages of high wages."
Or lower immigration.
Posted by: Robert Duquette at June 11, 2004 10:30 PMRobert is right.
The only reason our population is growing is because of immigration.
Posted by: Jeff Guinn at June 13, 2004 11:44 AMRobert is wrong, we've been reproducing above replacement rate except for being right at it last year.
Posted by: oj at June 13, 2004 12:42 PMAre you suggesting that presecular treatment of old people was better?
Posted by: Harry Eagar at June 15, 2004 3:28 AMYes.
Posted by: oj at June 15, 2004 7:38 AM