Taking Care of the Elderly

The challenge America now faces is the number of people reaching retirement will double in number by 2030, and the U.S. population will increase almost 20 percent ("Our Aging Nation," 2015). The goal is for the elderly to maintain and live with independence and dignity, as well as, provide a wide range of professional health and social service expertise, home care, and residential support and services that will be needed ("Our Aging Nation," 2015). Since the number of caregivers needed for this population will not be able to meet the demands other resolutions are considered necessary.

In the U.S, one in four will be aged 60 years and older by 2050 (U.S. Census Bureau). This represents an overwhelming number of people who will either be in the caretaker role or be the ROC. Like today, most of the care will be provided by informal unpaid caregivers. The number of informal unpaid caregivers is expected to rise from 20 million in 2000 to 37 million in 2050 (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation [ASPE], 2003). Because of the burden of care giving, many caregivers will experience depression, poor health and quality of life (Etters, Goodall, & Harrison, 2008). Their well-being is an important public health concern.

The 2030 Problem: Caring for Aging Baby Boomers by James R Knickman and Emily K Snell

Adult children caring for their aging parent or grandparent provide the majority of informal support. This is due in part because grandmothers “raise their grandchildren to believe in lifetime reciprocity”, grandchildren often feel an obligation to care for their aging family members (Novak, 2012, p.191). Furthermore, a heavy reliance on family support may be due to a lack of trust exists towards formal health care programs, a lack of access, or a general lack of

P3: Explain ways in which health and social care workers support the independence and wellbeing of older people. M2: Assess ways in which health and social care workers support the independence and wellbeing of older people. D1: Evaluate ways in which the sectors work together to support the independence and wellbeing of older people. Doris has stayed connected with her friend Frieda who lives on her own independently but recently she has had a fall and she has been referred to the local authorities. P1& M2 When promoting independence and wellbeing in older people it has to be done in a way where the person feels that they are able to do what they are being asked to do and if they say that they don’t

The challenges and impact of Baby Boomers on long-term care systems are going to modify the manner in which traditional health care, patient access, financial payments and treatment are delivered. Baby Boomers will have an extensive amount of care maintenance needs involving various rehabilitation conditions, acute and chronic illnesses, which will require a significant amount of thoroughly trained gerontologists, skilled nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, community advocates, and family involvement. This article explores options sought to reduce the costs to society and Baby Boomers as innovative savings, tax credit options, and other alternative long-term care financing choices lessening the impact on the long-term care system.

Our elderly population is living longer than ever before and not all of them are entering into a nursing home. They are choosing to stay in their own home or their caregiver is choosing it for them. Some caregivers are choosing to move their ageing love one in the home with them. Whatever the case may be, there is an increased need for some type of home health as it applies to the elderly population. “Medicare will pay the full cost of professional help only if the physician

The alternative in providing care for a dependent family member is keeping them in their own home, or the home of a family member. In recent years there has been a move in market place to an idea that is much more cost effective to provide most of the same services that traditionally found in a long-term care facility in the home. It is estimated that providing these services in the home are approximately $21,800.00 a year. It is also important that these figures only cover the cost of providing skilled health care. These figures do not cover additional expenses occurred in the home such as the cost of room and board. In many instances, the idea of keeping family members in the home where their care, may be more closely supervised is becoming increasingly appealing. Many health care providers are recognizing this and providing more and more services available in the home. In today’s market place anyone can find nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and respiratory therapy companies

Will mom or loved one receive better care at home or in a nursing home? This is a hard choice to make, but which is the best? In this paper, it examines the efficiency of home care programs, assisted living and long-term care programs. It examines the care and cost of the different programs with respect. The decision of whether or not to place an aging parent (or a loved one) into a long-term care facility, or to try and to keep them in their own home or yours is one that many American families are facing each day. Factors in dealing with this decision are too numerous to count, but we will address a few of them in the following paper, like the

Caring for the elderly and disabled has always been a relevant issue among American’s; however, not until recently has it become a significant issue within society. Change has occurred in the past couple decade as the workforce dynamics have transitioned from the family based farm living to the inner city, college educated worker who follows opportunity. Decades ago it was common place to have an aging relative live with the family in a multi-generational home; however, that is no longer a practical option in many cases. Although this transitioning of society has created a new issue and that is providing care to those elderly or disabled members of society who cannot rely on the support of family

The fact that the American population is aging has raised concerns. In 2011, the number of adults over the age of 65 reached 41.4 million, which account for 13.3% of the population ("A Profile of Older Americans: 2012," 2012). It is estimated that there will be about 71 million older adults by 2030 ("Healthy Aging-Improving and Extending Quality of Life among Older Americans," 2009). Approximately 2.1 million elderly are currently living in

The demographic of clients in the long term care delivery model has a range that starts in infants and ends with the elderly, this care also includes persons with disabilities (mental and physical). According to Hooyman (2014),”to address escalating health and long-term care costs, the locus of care for older adults and persons with disabilities is shifting from institutional to community-based settings (p.25). Community based settings would fall under the realm of assisted living, nursing homes where there would be onsite staff that included nutritionist to ensure residents had a balanced diet, physicians, certified nurse aides or medical assistants, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacy technicians, and a health care administrator, but a large portion of long term care is also carried out by family members and friends due to the financial costs associated with facility care which offsets the coverage provided by private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. The ultimate goal is to have a positive outcome and assist the person receiving care in regaining their

Cost of long term healthcare is a concern for many families. In an Employee Benefit Research Institute study, during a two-year period examined, households with a member aged 85 or above spent an average of $24,185 out-of-pocket for long-term care expenses (Retired Brains, 2017). An elderly person who needs basic care services could consider a residential care home (Assisted Living Today, 2017). Most care homes are in former single-family homes that have been converted into multi-unit dwellings (Assisted Living Today, 2017). There are many great benefits to residential care homes, from home style setting to affordability (Assisted Living Today, 2017). If the physical or mental needs reach beyond basic care but not to the level of 24-hour monitoring, assisted living could be the next best option. Assisted living care homes are great for seniors who require some personal care, that are still ambulatory, and are still receptive to assistance when needed (Paying for Senior Care, 2016). The cost for assisted living ranges from $3590 to $5100 depending on location and level of room privacy (Paying for Senior Care, 2016). For those who need full time care, a skilled nursing home would be the best option. Residents of skilled nursing facilities require extensive personal care, are not mobile without assistance, and who may have cognitive or behavioral problems (Paying for Senior Care, 2016). The price for skilled nursing facilities are the most expensive, they range around $6800 a month (Paying for Senior Care,

Research has shown significant positive evidence on the effects of the presence and characteristics of a family caregiver on the use of long-term care [4]. Findings showed the elderly who had a spouse as a caregiver used home healthcare services more often than nursing home services. In fact, 88.3% of older adults who were receiving long-term care services had family caregivers. This is similar to a study demonstrating that most American elderly people who received home health care had family as caregivers or paid helpers

We, as children, are suddenly placed in the role of caring for our elderly parents. Our parents, throughout our childhood, have been our number one supporter and caregiver since birth. This exchange not only intensifies our parent’s feelings of helplessness but out own confusion and guilt. I think our most difficult decisions are talking about retirement to our parents or loved ones. We are given this sense of guilt when we place our loved ones in assisted living facility. In my culture, placing a loved one in a nursing home is disrespectful and shameful to the family. Our parents brought honor and care since birth and we are indebt to them till death; it’s common sense to take full responsibility of your parents. I want to convince family