Final answer:
False, The belief that the majority of older adults are isolated and abandoned by their family members is false. While there are challenges and shifts in family dynamics affecting elder care, many older adults remain self-sufficient or are cared for by their families, with differences across cultures and societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the majority of older adults are isolated and abandoned by their family members is false. The perceptions and approaches towards elderly care vary greatly across cultures and societies. In the United States, while it is acknowledged that many middle-class families struggle with the financial burden of professional healthcare, resulting in gaps in care, it does not necessarily mean the majority of older adults are abandoned. Factors such as employment of family caregivers and cultural attitudes do influence the degree of elder care. For example, certain demographics, including Latinos, African Americans, and Asians, are least likely to place their elderly into assisted care, reflecting a stronger inclination towards family-based elder care.
Demographic changes, such as the increasing number of single-parent households and the trend towards older people living apart from their adult children, point towards a shift in family dynamics rather than a blanket statement of abandonment. Many older adults remain highly self-sufficient, and while some require more care due to frailty or financial constraints, they still retain their dignity and are not universally isolated or abandoned.
In Asian cultures, the family is expected to take on the responsibility of elder care, which contrasts with Western countries where independence is emphasized, and care is often voluntary and contingent on various factors. Regardless of these differences, it is clear that aging and care for the elderly are complex issues influenced by cultural, economic, and social factors, rather than a universal trend of isolation.