Elderly Population Care
While the actual definition of older people remains controversial, it is defined as persons from the age of 65 years and above. Due to advancements in healthcare, life expectancy has increased exponentially over the last few years. By 2030 older adults are projected to make up 20% of the population in the United States. By 2050, the population aged 65 and above is estimated to double from the current 43.1 million to a whopping 83.7 million. This change in age distribution will have a significant implication on the healthcare system.
Aging is a natural process that comes with different health changes. Older adults require more personalized and long-term health care needs as compared to young people. According to research, more than 90% of people aged 65 and above live with at least one chronic illness such as diabetes, heart conditions, arthritis, and depression. And just like children, older adults require a healthcare system that considers these health disparities.
The increasing aging population will create more pressure on the already stressed healthcare system. It is likely to result in a shortage of healthcare professionals, increase in the cost of healthcare due to more needs for the aging population, complexity of health needs will outgrow the diversity of caregivers, and fewer caregivers due to changes in overall family structure.
As it stands, the healthcare system will need to make major changes to deal with these challenges. New approaches regarding healthcare delivery must be implemented to address the changing health status of the aging population. For instance, current training does not equip medical professionals with the comprehensive support that geriatric patients need. And as such, physicians often get overwhelmed dealing with patients with multiple chronic illnesses.
With chronic illnesses on the rise in this population, their healthcare needs are also becoming more complex. Focusing on one condition rather than comorbidity only gives less attention to other illnesses. A holistic approach will ensure that a patient receives care for all the medical conditions they have.
The healthcare system should also ensure that community-based resources are available and more access to information to professionals, families, and caregivers involved in taking care of the elderly on a daily basis. The aim should be to ensure that all needs are addressed, and everyone involved is armed with condition-specific information and tools needed to extend quality care.
Finally, more emphasis should be on providing preventive care rather than reactive care. This can involve coming up with a more comprehensive plan that helps to identify patients that require follow up and then implementing programs that can help monitor their progress.

Published by

Essays

View all posts