...Evolution of Services and Programs For as long as humans have existed, there has been elderly care. By nature, we are a caring species. The means of the care provided for the elderly population has evolved tremendously within the last fifty years. The twentieth century has been a record era for the elderly population. Within the last fifty years, programs and services have been established to provide many means for older adults. To care for older adults, many programs and services have gone above and beyond to provide as much as possible for older adults to remain happy and healthy throughout their later years. In 1965, Medicaid and Medicare were established as part of the Social Security Act (Administration for Community Living, n.d.). When the Medicare law was passed, large nursing homes based on medical models were built. These facilities included nursing stations and routine care that was given until the patient passed away. In the 1980s, Congress was brought to the attention of abuse and neglect in nursing homes. To stop this from happening, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 was declared. This stated that residents in nursing homes deserve a home where they can live for the rest of their lives like individuals. At this time, social, spiritual, emotional, occupational, recreational and cultural needs were introduced as needs to the elderly residents. Today, the elderly population is growing rapidly as the Baby Boom generation enters their older adult...
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...Running head: Elderly Abuse 1 Elderly Abuse: A Growing Concern 30 March 2012 Elderly Abuse 2 English Composition 101 30 March 2012 The signs of elderly abuse, at least to some degree, have always existed. Only in the past few decades, has it been recognized as a major societal problem. Greater attention to elder abuse was followed by the new “discovery” of child abuse in the 1960s and spouse abuse in the 1970s. Today elderly abuse is widely characterized as both a pervasive problem and a growing concern (Dessin, 2000; Heisler, 2000; Moskowitz, 1998b). Out of the elderly population around 1 out 2 million people over the age of 65 have been injured, or mistreated by someone they depend on for care. Abuse and neglect can happen in any social class; it does not matter if you are upper middle, or lower class. The most common mistreatment and neglect occur in nursing homes. Studies have found 1 out 5 nursing homes are liable for serious life threatening care given to the elderly. Caregiver at these homes are known for emotional, and neglect. Elderly abuse remained on a constant rise so much they had to create policies to protect the elderly. In 1976, the Older American Act of 1965 was amended. The purpose of the bill was to provide assistance and develop better programs to help elderly. There was a study conducted in 1986 that found nursing homes were still giving inadequate care. Congress passed the Nursing...
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...Christianity can provide the elements needed in caring for the population. The focus will be on several scriptures and writings from the Bible and other sources and how they apply to the individual and the community as a whole as Christians. Population Health & Scripture Christianity Within the pages of the Bible there are stories of Jesus caring for people. Jesus cared for those in need, for those who were sick, and fed those who were hungry. It is because of His teachings that Christians continue to follow within His footsteps to do the same. The teachings that are within the Bible provide a framework for a worldwide Christian view to population health. Christians are called to help others just as Jesus did. To care for others without regard to social status, financial status, or even religious beliefs, Christians are similar to the health care system within the United States. The healthcare system in the United States does not turn away those in need of care; however, the costs can cause a person to not seek the care that is needed. According to a study conducted called Religion & Public Life Project approximately 78.4% of Americans are Christian in faith. If all practicing Christians approached caring for others within the population as the Bible states we should, many of the US health care concerns could be improved and a better quality of life would be the result. James 5:16 states “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another...
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...minimum-wage and overtime pays to nearly two million workers in the home health-care industry that will take effect January 1, 2015. In an industry that is known for working lengthy hours to satisfy the needs of our elderly population, this is finally a step in the right direction. In this country, home health-care has been lumped into the same category as teenage babysitters when it comes to how much they make and before this movement for overtime rates, these workers could work more than 40 hours a week and never qualify to get paid time-and-a-half for their extra hours. According to the president of the Service Employees, Mary Kay Henry, “The Obama administration has made good on its promise” to extend wage and overtime benefits to health care work; this is a promise that seems to be very much overdue in the United States. Caring for the elderly and making it possible for them to stay in their homes as long as they are able should be more of a priority in this country; however, to be able to do this we need to have an adequate amount of staff to be able to accomplish this. Not only do we need ample staff members, we need these people to be properly trained. I feel it is a shame that we are attaching such a low price tag on the people that are taking care of our elderly and aging population. Labor Secretary Tom Perez is in complete approval with this bill, stating that it is wrong and unfair that these workers have been excluded for nearly 40 years because of an exemption in the...
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...Winter brings cold temperatures, snowy days and a general lack of sunshine. It’s not easy for anyone, but this season is especially tough for seniors, who are at a higher risk for depression. Inclement weather means spending more time inside, and your loved ones in senior care, especially those with limited mobility, have little social contact. This can lead to loneliness and depression. The in home assisted living professionals at BrightStar Care of Northern Michigan, in Traverse City, are here to provide some tips to help the elderly overcome the winter blues. BrightStar Care Create A Connection: Winter may keep the elderly inside, but it’s a perfect time for loved ones to visit. Those who need in home assisted living will benefit from...
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...Social Problems 2601 “Aging Nursing Home Dysfunctions” Do you have a loved one in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or long-term care center? Do you suspect neglect or abuse happening or even worse a sudden, unexplained death? Do not allow owners of nursing homes to line their pockets with your hard earned money, while their facilities are dangerous and unsanitary for your family members. Abuse is happening everyday all over the world; senior citizens are at a vulnerable stage in life, when they may not be able to defend themselves. Every year, tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused in their own homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care. If you suspect that an elderly person you know is being harmed physically or emotionally by a neglectful or overwhelmed caregiver or being preyed upon financially. By learning the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and how to act on behalf of an elderly person who is being abused, you’ll not only be helping someone else but strengthening defenses against elder abuse in the future. Many early signs of elderly abuse are commonly over looked due to carelessness, lack of knowledge and many times understaffed facilities. Look out for the signs of abuse and or neglect. Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and or neglect are as followed; Visible injuries are, naturally, the type that you will pick up on right away. Examples are broken bones due to extreme falls, cuts, scars, extensive bruising and bed sores (pressure...
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...Jonnah Grove Certified Nursing Assistant The choice of career is one of the most important decisions anyone can ever make. Unlike your job, a career is something you will have to practice for a very long part of your life, if not your entire life. Unfortunately, choosing a career is something that can be very confusing, especially if you are quite young. Many have chosen careers only to realize quite late that it is hardly what your heart beats for. You do not want to find yourself in such a situation, as things can be very frustrating. If you have an interest in the medical world, there are many reasons you should consider working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Before you rush to the reasons that make this a great career, it is important that you appreciate what it’s all about in the first place. In the United States, a Certified Nursing Assistant simply referred to as a CNA, and it is a healthcare professional who works in a hospital or nursing home. The most common task of a CNA is to cater for the needs of the chronically sick, disabled, elderly or help in the rehabilitation of patients who can hardly take care of themselves. There are many careers one can choose to pursue, especially in the extremely diverse United States of America. CNA is pursuing a caring career with the satisfaction of saving life and giving hope to the hopeless. It is considered a noble career. Currently, there are many hospitals and healthcare centers in the United States...
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...especially by trained and licensed professionals such as in medicine, dentistry, clinical psychology, and public health. Besides that, health care also the services are provided to people or communities by agents of the health services or professions for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, monitoring, or restoring health. According to the Institute of Medicine, they defines health care quality as the extent to which health services provided to individuals and patient populations improve desired health outcomes. The care should be based on the strongest clinical evidence and provided in a technically and culturally competent manner with good communication and shared decision making. While dementia or senile are often synonymous with the elderly. Senile is a condition in which the brain has decreased, causing a decline in memory of a patient with severe and cannot even take care of you. Dementia or senile is a disease and not alarmed foreign to the Malay community, since time immemorial have been recorded by type as Munshi Abdullah, in his famous book. It usually only pose problems to a family member when the disease came too early from the age norm. If the patient began suffering from dementia when he reached 80 years were normal and not a problem. But if the patient was only 60 years old, is suffering from dementia, so it is very stressful for the family. The health needs of old people are now a matter of concern in all industrialized and developing countries. This concern reflects...
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...Support Help Week 2: Understanding Health Economics - Case Study C S Week 2 Case Study: Solving the Medicare Crisis You are chief of staff to your brother-in-law, Representative Howard Hughes, who was recently elected to fill out a term in Congress. He has been asked to participate in a panel discussion on the Medicare funding crisis. You have been asked to prepare paper for him. The panel is asked to respond to a proposal for reducing Medicare expenditures by enrolling participants in HMOs. What does the Congressperson say? The following key questions must be addressed in the paper: Is Medicare in a state of crisis? Are radical measures necessary to preserve the program? How is Medicare funded now? Why do elderly people feel that Medicare is an insurance program and not a welfare program? Is this perception accurate? Should there be a Medicare program at all? Why should the government be involved in providing insurance to elderly preople? Does Medicare have detrimental effects on the market for healthcare or on the market for health insurance? Are these economic effects, offset by the positive effects of the Medicare program for the elderly? What about the positive effects of caring for the elderly for society? Are there any externalities here? Justify your position on either economic efficiency or equity grounds (or both). Your Congressperson wants to appear intelligent. Do not be afraid to refer to economic theory or theories of distributive justice. Assignment Prepare...
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...Caring for Elderly Parents How to care for elderly parents is a major concern of many Foreign Service families. Our concerns mirror those of other American families, but how to ensure good health care, find the right living situation, and handle legal questions is often complicated for Foreign Service families by being posted abroad. The distance involved makes it harder to get information and help so contingency planning is essential. Often Foreign Service families only have short visits during R & R or on home leave and hate to spend the precious time with their parents talking about serious business or unpleasant possibilities. Or we may be caught up in hectic preparations for an overseas assignment and not want to take the time to do contingency planning with parents. While it is difficult to discuss the issues of aging, the family who has discussed the options and agreed on plans will be better able to handle whatever happens. It will be worth the time taken, if there is an emergency. The ideal situation is when the parents take control of their own situations and make decisions in advance of an emergency. They should investigate the types of retirement options and decide which is most appropriate, make informed decisions about life-sustaining medical care, and make sure that documents, instructions, and powers of attorney are available to those who must take responsibility in an emergency. The American Association of Retired Persons recommends that elderly people...
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...providing a service or benefit to your community or to the public. Community service translates into dollars raised to benefit your Sparrow child in medical need. Service hours must benefit the public, neighbors or the local community. Youth, not adults, must earn service hours. Once you decide what community service you would like to perform, plan how it can be done – either as an individual or as a group. Make sure an adult supervisor signs the Sparrow community service vouchers verifying that you did the work, and how many hours it took. Students performing the service must know about their Sparrow and understand that the work they are performing is benefiting their Sparrow. Community Service is not fundraising. NEVER perform your Community Service without the permission of your parents or guardians. It is highly recommended that an adult supervisor be there when you are completing your Community Service. If appropriate, we encourage Clubs to perform “Acts of Kindness” for their Sparrow Family, as part of their Community Service. Always check with the family or a Sparrow Clubs representative first, to make sure that this is a good fit. Here are some examples of what Legitimate and Non-Legitimate Community Service is: LEGITIMATE COMMUNITY SERVICE Perform “Acts of Kindness” for your Sparrow Family. Help other non-profit organizations. Sing Christmas carols to elderly people at a retirement home. Gather firewood for an elderly person who lives alone Pick up...
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...There are many caregivers who will also handle respite care. Respite care is the term for short-term care that is professional help. The respite caregiver usually will COM to your home and get to meet and greet the family and the patient that they will be tending for. As a respite caregiver, they will learn the everyday house, and where all the treatment or medications are stored. A respite caregiver is offered by local services such a non-profit organization, church, religious groups, or a community organization that wants to give back to others whom are in need. There is also another respite service that is usually specialized and can stay for a few days or as long as several weeks. This can give the caregiver some time to hand things like go on a vacation or have some ‘me’ for themselves. With short term care Medicaid and Medicare may pay you for some of the cost of helping a family member directly in receiving respite care. Caregiving Policy: (2 Pages)...
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...The “frail elderly” utilize significant health care resources in the US. What, in your view, is the best approach for caring for this unique population? With the baby boomers coming off age, the elderly population is growing quickly. Our frail elders often cannot take care of themselves anymore and have trouble completing their activities of daily living (ADL). Especially with the downfall of the economy, many family members are not able to stay at home and take care of their elderly family members because they have to work. In other cases, many of the elderly population may not even have any family members close by who would or could take care of them. The elderly population is often seen as a nuisance and many elders are dropped off at a retirement home and forgotten about. Our elders still deserve respect as anyone else does. They took care of us while we were young and now it is time for us to take care of them. It is a continuous cycle that should not be broken. My grandfather, a strong, independent man came to the age where he started forgetting things and in addition to that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After his surgery and the successful removal of the cancer, he needed his family members to help him with his daily activities. Even though we were all holding full time jobs, my uncles, aunts, mother, sister and myself made a schedule in which each was assigned to different times, so that he was entertained and taken care of throughout the day and parts of...
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... NUTRITION FOR THE ELDERLY: Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition is essential for survival, physical growth, performance, health and well-being across the entire life-span. A good nutrition adequate well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity is a cornerstone of good health. While poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity. Many elderly people have unique barriers that prevent them from eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity. Difficulty chewing, a sensitive stomach, reduced appetite, and dietary restrictions are just a few of the barriers to healthy eating that the elderly experience. It is important to encourage the older adults to eat healthfully. NUTRITIONAL NEED FOR OLDER PERSON: Older persons are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. Moreover, attempts to provide them with adequate nutrition encounter many practical problems. First, their nutritional requirements are not well defined. Since both lean body mass and basal metabolic rate decline with age, an older person’s energy requirement per kilogram of body weight is also reduced. FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR THE ELDERLY: when choosing food for the elderly, it is important to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy...
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...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 financial aspects, psychosocial, and meeting the overall needs of our ever aging parents or ill loved one. Taking care of your loved one is a full time job in most cases. Long-term care facilities are a traditional approach to caring for the elderly or chronically ill members of society. These facilities are set up in a couple of different ways to provide specialized care depending on a person’s need. In some cases, mom may not need a great deal of care with her daily living, but may need help with fixing food or remembering to take her medication. So, the first point of our discussion is assisted living facilities. These are apartment type communities that specialize in assisting seniors who may have a problem accomplishing their normal activities of daily living. The assisted living facilities provide a non-skilled staff to assist with these needs. Although, some of the facilities will assist with medications and bathing but will charge you extra for those tasks and some do not. It is up to you to find the assisted living facility that best suits your needs. The next type of long care facility is a skilled cared facility. These...
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