Elder Care Research Paper

Seventy percent of seniors over 65 who require support to remain independent have long-term health needs. While tens of millions of seniors are cared for by loving family members, that care often takes a mighty toll on the senior and the caregiver. In many of these cases, there comes a point when the discussion turns to nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Thankfully, there is another choice. With care services from Comfort Keepers, your senior loved one can maintain the freedom and independence of living at home, and the family can receive the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is receiving the care and support they need to safely age in place.

In 2011, the first of the Baby Boomers – the 78 million men and women born between 1946 and 1964 – will begin turning 65 at a rate of more than 8,000 per day. By year's end, the nation's senior population will have increased by almost 3 million, to nearly 49 million. By 2025, then, the total will reach 72 million – more than double the 35 million at the turn of the new century. (Home Instead Senior Care, 2010). Millions of Americans with chronic diseases and disabilities, like Alzheimer's, heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes, need careful monitoring but do not want enter a nursing home or skilled care facility. I can recall my grandfather would only agree to go to the doctor's office if he was certain he could return

The Topic of my research paper is How to Start Your Own Assisted Living Business. I choose this topic because I have some experience in the health care field. I am a certified Medical Assistant and I wanted to take my education to the next level. The Health care job market is on high demand and is one of today’s most dynamic fields with a wide range of opportunities. I came to realize that the older you get in this country options for housing, health and personal care services become limited.

The skilled nursing facility is a facility that has a medical professional (usually an RN) on duty at all times of the day. The patients that are here are usually faced with a serious illness or major physical needs. The objective is to rehabilitate people to return to either their regular living or to an assisted living, however, some patients may never be able to be rehabilitated due to their medical conditions.

A significant number of our aging population now relies on their family for some level of care. Families now provide every level of care from helping with household chores that have become difficult all the way to providing daily care when the senior becomes bed ridden. Many families are finding it difficult to help because they already have demands on their time and financial resources. For family members that cannot entirely give up their incomes to care for an aging relative, but are willing to make a job change, technology has created many opportunities for income that not only didn't exist ten years ago, but can be a perfect fit for a care giver.

Many seniors choose to remain at home even though they need help to perform daily tasks and chores. Home care services make their independence and freedom a reality. When considering home care services, it is easy to see why Comfort Keepers is the hands-down choice for seniors throughout the United States.

(Heatlh Promotion by Design in Long-Term Care Settings, n.d.). For example, insomnia or disturbed sleep is common in older individuals and ensuring the environment is comfortable is a big contribution to improving sleep. There are many other environmental aspects that can be changed to achieve quality of life for residents.

Coming to the conclusion your parents or other elderly individuals you have a close relationship with are having difficulty maintaining their independent lifestyle can be an emotionally difficult process. Visiting Angels in Forty Fort, PA, a non-medical agency, can help you find a senior care provider with the training and skills to suit your loved ones’ specific needs.You may feel guilt or even grief as you try to determine what type of senior care is most appropriate and your elderly loved one may feel confused and unsure about the future. Relying on caregiver services can offer peace of mind as you’re certain that your loved ones are treated with compassion, respect and dignity.

According to the American Optometric Association, when "you reach your 60s and beyond, you need to be aware of the warning signs of age-related eye health problems that could cause vision loss. Many eye diseases have no early symptoms. They may develop painlessly, and you may not notice the changes to your vision until the condition is quite advanced."

The National Institute of Health reports that nearly 35 million American seniors have problems with balance. These seniors may feel dizzy or unstable when they walk, stand, or move. As a result, it is often difficult to climb stairs, rise up out of a chair or sofa, bend over without falling down, or even walk without a fear of falling or tripping. Issues regarding balance are one of the most frequent reasons seniors seek medical help and assistance. It is also an important reason for seniors to avail themselves of eldercare services.

Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America. While there is no cure, there are many things that can be done to alleviate arthritis pain.

As the world evolves with an aging population, long-term care comes to the forefront for many families. Long-term care is defined as any type of personal care and/or assistance that an individual or individuals may receive on a long-term basis as a result of a disability, or as a result of a chronic illness that limits the individual’s ability to function. Those families want quality of life for their aging loved ones. With a growing knowledge and interest in long-term care coupled with a determined advocacy for the quality of life, these two facets can be meshed successfully to create a positive impact on the lives of the aging.

I am looking forward to becoming an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse. I have dreamed of furthering my education for a long time now. Presently, I am a Psychiatric Staff RN, BSN on an acute care inpatient psychiatric unit. I have been practicing in this position for 11 years now. I also have approx. 10 years of medical/surgical experience from a community hospital .I love what I do, but I am limited by my medical knowledge in that I cannot diagnose nor order treatments for many common disease processes. I feel with the proper education, I could positively affect pt. outcomes and improve their overall health. I am a people person, with great communicational skills and a very caring heart.

According to the American Nursing Association, obesity in seniors has been increasing by dramatic amounts and "As the aging population increases in number, so too will the number of chronic illnesses, which often accompany aging, increase in our society." Listed among the most common of these ailments are arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and depression.

As an adult, transitioning into old age can be difficult for some people. The unknown, lack of responsibilities, frustrations, and new dependence is sure to make the process more undesirable; then, the added stress of income instability would appear to be unbearable. With the increasing number of elders and limited Social Security funds, there will be more needs for elderly income support. With this notion in mind, a plan must be developed to meet the financial needs of this population. There are some under the impression that family members of the elderly should be responsible for taken care of their loved ones, while others feel that the elderly population should be allowed to maintain their independence and live their