Complementary Medicine And The Elderly

M1 Discuss complementary therapies that are available for users of health and social care services

Throughout the years there have been two traditions within the practice of medicine. One is the 'art of healing ' which involves its own specialised brand of training. The art of healing is dependent on the prescriber 's foreknowledge and the clients’ viewpoint of the prosperous results. The 'Science of healing ' is based on scientific and technological ideas. This tradition results in a lower liability for practitioners regarding the showing of an original approach to medicine, however the results of this method are more calculable (Kayne 2002). It is believed that the tradition of the ‘art of healing’ is increasing in popularity. The World Health Organisation states ' 'that the terms ' 'complementary medicine ' ' or ' 'alternative medicine’ ' are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country 's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system” (World Health Organization 2000). This type of treatment, is commonly known as ‘Complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). The word complementary derives from the meaning ‘together with’ established practices and the word alternative refers to ‘in place’ of established practices. Some patients choose to participate in complementary therapies along with the medication prescribed by their general practitioner whilst others prefer complementary therapies as opposed to the medications

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

Costs have escalated for a host of reasons. Americans’ health needs increased as their for example. Coverage grew to include catastrophic illnesses, not just common ailments. Ma added retiree health benefits. Medical techniques and technology became more sophisticate prescription drugs acquired an expanding role in disease management and illness preventio medical inflation had become a serious business issue; by some yardsticks, costs rose at a f decade than in the 1990s.

One of the causes for the rise in health care consumption is that fact that we are living longer. When people are living longer there is a higher cost associated with it and most of the healthcare cost is incurred towards the last few years of our life. As we get older and the aging process begins to set in and our body stops functioning like it used it. Daily activities such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom and such will be much harder to do with out the help of a family member or a caretaker. But the sad reality is most working families don’t have time to help out grandma or grandpa because they have to work two or three jobs to put food on the table and pay all the bills. So grandma and grandpa will end up in a retirement home, nursing home, or assisted living facility based on their need level. And costs for anyone of these

Healthcare in America is a very complex system. It is very different from what it used to be. It is moving from what was considered an indemnity type of care plan into a more managed care plan. There are a lot of factors that has influenced the fast growing system. Factors that are considered a contributing to this is the growth in the US population, people are living longer than before. An increase in technology, easier access to information. There is an alarming growth rate in the allied healthcare professionals. The cost and dependence on drugs and the pharmaceutical cost has increased. The rising cost of individual and family healthcare insurance. Because of the rising cost of malpractice insurance, case settlement and jury awards.

Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, can be characterized as a gathering of restorative, human services, and healing systems other than those incorporated into health care in the United States. CAM incorporates the perspectives, speculations, modalities, items, and practices connected with these systems and their utilization to treat disease and advance health and prosperity (McKenzie, 2012). Even though heterogeneous, the significant CAM frameworks have numerous normal attributes, including an attention on individualizing medications, treating the entire individual, advancing self-consideration and self-recuperating, and perceiving the otherworldly way of every person. What's more, numerous CAM frameworks have attributes generally found in standard human services, for example, an emphasis on great sustenance and preventive practices. Dissimilar to standard medication, CAM frequently needs or has just restricted trial and clinical concentrate; then again, experimental examination of CAM is starting to address this learning crevice. In this manner, limits in the

This is a very important question as we grapple with the rising costs of health care. There are many possible sources for this rising cost, including: increased availability of expensive technology, the aging population, defensive medicine and tort costs, public health problems such as obesity, overuse of medical procedures, poor access to care leading to delayed treatment or

Jobs are changing, prices are changing, and the separate companies are changing. Hospitals are beginning to hurt as the rise of the cost of prescriptions begins to increase. Patients are hurting as well, in a way that they are struggling to pay for the medicines to get them better and help them stay healthy especially those who struggle with a current condition. Insurance becomes an issue when the prescriptions become extremely expensive because they tend to not want to pay for the cost of higher drugs and force the patient to pay for a lot more than they expected. The main issues that people struggle through are the copayments for the drugs, the cost of the care combined with the drug costs, and the cost of the whole drug costs depending on the company that you get the prescription

Dr. James Marcum, a cardiologist at the Chattanooga Heart Institute in Tennessee claims, “Pharmaceutical drugs don’t heal people.” In fact, he states, “Much of the time they do more harm than good”(Milner). U.S. Citizens need to stop taking harmful pills and start using more natural, holistic healing methods. Everyone has probably used a pill before to relieve their pain, but there are healthier ways to feel just as good. According to the results of the National Health Interview Survey, “In 2012, 33.2% of U.S. adults used complementary health approaches”(What Complementary and Integrative Approaches Do Americans Use?). While some people believe conventional medicine is a better choice, it is clear that holistic healing can replace prescription drugs because they are more safe and effective than prescription drugs, and they are more practical in many ways.

In Policy and Medicine’s blog, a response to an article posted in The Atlantic, Thomas Sullivan recounts whether modern medicine is on the decline verses alternative medicine becoming a more popular choice despite evidence that points to the contrary. By addressing the article in The Atlantic entitled The Triumph of New-Age Medicine by David H. Freeman, Sullivan’s thesis not only questions whether contemporary medicine is falling short in providing care but, loudly exclaims the opposite is true. Staying in tune with the pace of the article the main point is brought out early in the paper through data and statistics. Sullivan wastes no time in taking an implied view against alternative medicine. Implied because Sullivan does not overtly state opposition to alternative medicine, but by tone and supporting evidence it is clear he believes modern medicine has been given a bad rapport. In this rhetorical

Although, U.S. adults are increasingly using CAM therapies, a national survey characterizing U.S. adults, who does not consider the use CAM has yet to be described. According to the NHIS study, "an estimated 16-26 percent of the adult population does not receive conventional care in a year. Also, an estimated 4 percent of adult population may use it as an alternative to conventional medicine (alternative medicine). Thus, up to 20-25 percent of the adult population not receiving conventional care in a year might, be using alternative medicine instead" (Nahin, Dahlhamer, Stussman, 2010). This paper will discuss the reasons people chose CAM therapies, follow by the area in which CAM is more prone, then focus on how the article contributes to

Healthcare treatments are no longer being determined by set protocols for a particular diagnosis or disease process. Increasingly more common, individualized, patient-driven adaptations are being implemented to improve adherence and compliance with treatment. Society as a whole is changing. The influx of immigrants, cultural variations, and increased interest in “natural healing” therapies within the U.S., has fueled a growth in the use of natural and alternative medicine practices. Holistic healthcare lends a unique facet in making these adaptations to medical care conceivable. Through employing the unique relationship formed between nurses and patients collaboration in care, including the use of complementary and alternative medicine practices (CAM), can be easily managed (Barnes, Bloom, & Nahin, 2008). This alliance among nurses and patients in appraising all options, including CAM practices when appropriate, supports the patient’s right to be informed in regards to their care prior to consent.

will not be able to add CAM in the health insurance, then the practitioners should make these

In the last two decades, the use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) by the American public has grown exponentially, especially among women, meriting the question of “why?”. CAM is defined as any medical practice not regularly taught in biomedical schooling, and that is undertaken to replace or to be used in conjunction with standard biomedical practice (Su, D et al, 2011). Examples of CAM typically used include acupuncture, chiropractic care, and herbal medicine, as well as deep-breathing exercise, yoga, meditation, and prayer. The recent surge in CAM use has been so extreme that it is now estimated that 40 to 45 percent of Americans currently practice CAM use, with 68 percent of Americans having used CAM at some point in their