Altersdiskriminierung, Formen - Ursachen - Alternativen - Perspektiven.

Age Discrimination, Forms – Causes – Alternatives – Perspectives The rising expectancy of life in combination with the falling birth rate has varying effects in population. The share of old persons increases, the average age of personnel is getting higher, younger employees (male and female) are favored while the need of care for the elderly population grows. One believes that this demographic development can be alleviated by recruiting foreign (qualified) employees. However these personnel resources are not inexhaustible, since also in the countries of origin similar demographic changes occur. This situation leads to a permanent fight for jobs as well as to current transfers between the young and old, also being called generation gap, war of generations, exploitation of the young by old people etc. or even more diffamating in a sort of social Darwinism terminology called glut of pensioners, gerontocracy or social parasitism. Such discussions prove not only the shortage of job opportunities and financial resources but are causally connected to the danger that older persons are being similarly ostracized like handicapped people or members of ethnic, religious or other groups being refused by the majority of the society. This behavior pattern resulting from discrimination, degradation and ostracism against persons who do not conform to the social norm is summarized in this dissertation under the generic term discrimination. The set of problems is covered by the author by individual studies as well as interpretation of overall views, popular-science publications and statistical material. Beginning with demographical constellations and the general social conditions (i.e. dwindling, stagnant or expanding population) the author shows possible alternatives and their demographic consequences. A special importance has the “General Act of Equal Treatment” (AGG) basing on the four EU directives. The author represents in detail events out of several discrimination fields focusing on the world of employment mainly the labor-intensive geriatric care in the old people´s and care retirement homes. As pointed out, many of the deplorable occurrences or even criminal offences are rooted in financial resources (lack of qualified personnel) as well as human inadequacy. A fact which should not be ignored here is the respect for old people in the society which can only be corrected by the society itself. Further information sources for the author were the results of the first and up to now sole nationwide telephone complaint survey in 2001 describing deficits. By attending the first workshop of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency (ADS) the author was permitted an insight into the work of this institution according to §25 AGG (General Act of Equal Treatment). A futurological case study showing a survey on the town council Bad Sassendorf has been quoted. Stating the year 2030 according to the statistics it meets already today the demographic challenges. The insights about the life of old people in this town result in the conviction that the number of births per woman is not the only indicator for the social security of a country. Further conditions should be added, i.e. the job market. In conversations with old persons it was clear that beside financial resources the social respect and the way they are treated are the most important factors (i.e. credit rating, age-specific medical care, respect and attention etc.) for an increase of their life quality. In the end of this dissertation the author also presents examples of future care models and projects for the maintenance or improvement of the situations of old people being, however, not yet practicable under present circumstances. An increase of the productivity - being seen in many social areas as a successful way of solving the problem – won´t provide fundamental remedy in this labor-intensive field of work. Whatever is clearly successful in the production of material goods cannot be considered in the medical and social care of old people, or perhaps only in parts (i.e. in “get and bring” services).