Healthcare For Elders: Issues And Decisions Submitted
By: David G. Petten There are many things to consider when caring for
an elderly loved one. Now that people are living well and living longer,
elder healthcare has become very important. This relatively new area of
healthcare and provider services is often referred to as elder care. It
encompasses a wide variety of issues which include: choosing an appropriate
physician orphysicians to care for an aging patient,
setting up home care is possible, and making decisions about moving the
patient from his or her home to a residential care setting. Persons age
65 and older are the fastest growing segment of America’s population.
Many in this population are living a healthy, active, independent life;
however, as more and more people reach their 80s and 90s, the number of
people who need assistance with daily living is increasing, as are the
responsibilities of those who are
providing the care. The statistics on elder healthcare may surprise you.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration
on Aging, the elder population, (those age 65 and older), numbered more
than 35 million Americans in recent reports. Since people are living longer,
these numbers are constantly increasing and not expected to dip any time
soon.
Also reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration
on Aging, the number of elders increased 12 percent since 1990, , compared
to a 13.3 percent increase of the population under 65 during the same
time period. Today, persons who reach age 65 have an average life expectancy
of an additional 17.9 years. This calculates out to 19.2 years more for
women, and 16.3 more for men than what was estimated in the year 1900.
In 1900, the average life expectancy was 49.2 years, whereas today, it
is 76.9. As you can see, this has dramatically increased. While this is
greatly attributed to the advances in Click
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