...Limitations In Older Adults Population Physical and functional limitations in older adults have significant influences in their daily life. Age-related changes and chronic illness such as dementia, diabetes or arthritis are the causes of decreasing older adults’ physical functions. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 61.1% of older adults over 65 years old in the United States have at least one basic actions difficulty or complex activity limitation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2016). CDC also measures adults’ physically unhealthy days by asking how many days during the past 30 days they felt that their physical health was not good, and older adults over 65 years old have the highest rate...
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...expected growth of the older population in the United States over the next fifty years will have an exceptional impact on the U.S. health care system. Population aging is a complex issue that concerns not only the well-being of today’s older American’s but also comprehensive areas and sectors affecting the total population, such as health, labor markets and public finances. It affects and engages communities, all levels of government, and all sectors of society. In this paper there is a discussion of the aging population and the impact it has on demographics in healthcare. There is an upsurge in the population of older adults. As the population ages and medical care continues to elongate the average lifespan of the population, this results in a greater percentage of the population being composed of older adults and subject themselves to the medical consequence associated with increasing age and chronic disease. At birth, every cohort has a small excess of males but, leaving to the higher death rates for the mall population and the more rapid improvement in mortality for women, although there is a large excess of women at older ages. “In 1980, 12 percent of the white population was age 65 or older which was a much larger proportion than the 8 percent of the black population” (Siegel and Davidson, 1984). This attributes the difference to higher fertility of the black population and secondary to higher mortality at ages below 65. The black population of the future will continue...
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...Aging Population on the Health Workforce in the United States: Summary of Key Findings March 2006 This study was funded by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis Bureau of Health Professions Health Resources and Services Administration Prepared by Center for Health Workforce Studies School of Public Health, University at Albany 7 University Place Rensselaer, NY 12144-3458 Impact of the Aging Population on the Health Workforce in the United States The expected growth of the older adult population1 in the U.S. over the next 50 years will have an unprecedented impact on the U.S. health care system, especially in terms of supply of and demand for health care workers. The supply of health care workers may decrease as they age and large numbers retire and/or reduce their working hours. At the same time, older adults consume a disproportionately large share of American health care services, so demand for health services will grow. The aging of the population will also affect the nature of the skills and services the health care workforce must be equipped to provide, and the settings in which this care is provided. The so-called “baby boom” generation (people born between 1946 and 1964) is already having an effect on the health care system and it is expected to grow as the century progresses. The number of Americans age 65 and older (35 million in 2000) will rise by more than 19 million to 54 million by 2020. From 2000 to 2050, the number of older adults will...
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...The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Lauren M. Lorio NUR/440 April 9, 2012 Maria Mendez The Elderly as a Vulnerable Population Vulnerability is defined as susceptibility or increased risk for health problems (DeChesnay, 2008). A group of individuals are considered at higher risk for illness when their physical, emotional, psychological, or social health, is compromised (Aday, 2001). There are many leading causes for why a population is considered at higher risk; socioeconomic, age, gender, demographics, personal, and cultural backgrounds are some of the key factors (Aday, 2001; Sebation, 1996). Individuals can become vulnerable at any time because of change in life circumstances, placing them at higher risk. One group considered to be a vulnerable population is the elderly. In the article, “Patterns of Perceived Barriers to Medical Care in Older Adults: a Latent Class Analysis,” authors Joshua M. Thorpe, Carolyn T. Thorpe, Korey A. Kennelty, and Nancy Pandhi (2011), examine various levels concerning barriers to health care accessibility for the elderly population. The purpose of the study is to “…identify risk factors, potentially assisting healthcare organizations with targeting policies and interventions designed to improve access in the most vulnerable older adult populations” (Thorpe et al., 2011, p. 1). Categories of distinct classes of older adults were established in the article, placing Class one at the lowest level of risk for accessibility issues, and...
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...aging population. Within three decades individuals aged 65 years or older are expected to make up 23% of the Australian population (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). This is a stable increase from 13% in 2007, emphasising Australia as an aging country (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2013). This is evident not only within the demographic regions of metropolitan and rural cities and towns of Australia but also among other countries in the world. It is with this discrepancy that presents such a large challenge within the population and from a health perspective. This essay will explore the social, cultural and psychological health related issues linked with growth in the aging population and will focus on the baby boomer generation and the co-morbidities that are notably prevalent in the elderly. This essay will also consider the future role of the nurse and how their profession will be impacted in response to these trends. WHY DO WE FACE AN AGING CRISIS? As fertility rates decline and longevity increases we are coming to face a shift in population distribution with a greater proportion of older adults (Anderson and Hussey, 2013). It is important to note that this increase is due particularly to the Baby Boomer generation growing older and associated aging co-morbidities on the rise. The Baby Boomer generation consists of those born from the years 1945-1964 (Berman et al., 2012). As this generation grows older the world is faced with a huge increase in older adults...
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...is located in Cleveland County, the Piedmont region of North Carolina, close to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Kings Mountain is about 30 miles from Charlotte, NC. Cleveland County contains a total area of 469 square miles with 465 square miles of that being land and 4 square miles water. Cleveland County has eleven townships. The 2013 census reflects a population of 98,078 people, 37,046 households, and 27,006 families. The population for Kings Mountain is 10,296 people with 3,821 households, and 2,674 families. ("USCB," 2013) The ethnic structure of the city is 74.85% White, 21.55% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.81% Asian, and 0.65% from other races, and 2.42% were Hispanic or Latino of the population. ("USCB," 2013) Of the 3,821 households for Kings Mountain, almost 50% were married couples, a little over 172% had a female as the head of household, and 30% were non-families. 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average family size was a little under 3. The median income for a household in the city was $31,000-$32,000 with a family income of $39,000 - $40,000. About 19% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21% of those age 65 or over. ("CC Chamber,") Our county has a Job Ready Partnership that offers tax credits for new corporations. With the availability of a skilled labor force and support services, the low cost of doing business is attractive to new businesses for community stability. ("CC Chamber,") Within the...
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...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 years. Each day 8,000 Americans from the Baby Boom generation join the 40 million Americans who are already 65 years or older (Anderson, 2014). The increasing...
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...treat and see the older population. I have come across stereotypes that everyone deals with on a daily basis. It has led me to re-think stereotypes and the older population. The media is a large component of how society sees the older population and has many stereotypes about the elderly on a daily basis. The media such as television, movies, and commercials do not give an accurate presumption about the older population. We will look at their perspectives and how they portray the older population to determine if they are accurate or not. * Address stereotypes in the media (advertising, films and television) In the media stereotypes of the older population consist of overviews about deteriorating well-being, joy, and desirability. The elderly are often considered as “insatiable old folks” who unjustifiably exhaust our public resources by means of Medicare and Social Security. Different media outlets try to depict that the elderly age groups are not worthy of humane treatment. If older people are shown in the media they are shown in a stereotypical manner or often not included altogether. In order to guarantee the sources and aids that are sincerely required by some elders, supporters time and again try to produce media attention that calls attention to the defenselessness of older people. * Identify how the older adult is portrayed * In advertising they show the older population as very few ads 15% to be exact, unrepresented compared to younger adults and not shown...
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...Topic: Increase the administration of influenza vaccination in the older adult population (age 65 and older). Audience: There are essentially two audiences for this project. First, I will be teaching and presenting to Mercy Home Care nurses on the importance of older adults, age 65 and older receiving the influenza vaccine. In addition, I will educate them on the importance of identifying if Mercy Home Care patients have received the vaccine, explaining the education they should be providing to patients who have not yet received the vaccine and vaccinating patients and their spouses who agree to receive the influenza vaccine in their home. The second audience is older adults in the community (age 65 and older). The educational material I provide to the Mercy Home Care Nurses will then need to be taught to this population in an effort to increase awareness of the need for vaccination and help this population understand the risks for and against vaccination. Providing this education will in turn help increase the administration of influenza vaccination to home care patients. Need to Learn the Topic: To increase the number of individuals, age 65 and older who receive the influenza vaccine each year. Short-term goals: 1. All clients who have not yet...
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...of the Census, 2011). People over the age of 65 made up 13% of the total population with just over 40 million people. Between 2000 and 2010 the population grew at a faster rate in the older population then the younger population. I feel the population of people older than 65 is important to focus on for this assignment because this population will continue to grow every year. In this assignment I am going to talk about the population of people over the age of 65 in the United States, then discuss the known patterns of substance abuse in this population. I will also talk about the treatment needs for people over the age of 65 affected by substance abuse. While the primary focus of this report is about the population older than 65 it is important to note the age group percentages in the U.S. People under the age of 18 make up 24% of the total population with 74 million people. The 18-44 age groups make up 36% of the total population with just fewer than 113 million people. People aged 44-64 totals 26% of the population with 81 million. The rest of the population is the group of people 65 and older who total 40 million people and make up the remaining 13%. Understanding the population percentage in the U.S. is important, because by 2030 the percentage of people over the age of 65 will account for 21% of the total population (US Bureau of the Census, 1996). This percentage of the population is steadily increasing because of the “baby boom.” The baby boom was the dramatic...
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...increases the number of older adults requiring long-term care of some kind increases. These adults have varying needs, but most adults have problems with skin integrity, muscle weakness, and emotional issues in long-term care facilities. Interventions to meet these needs focus on preventing skin break down, improving muscle strength to prevent falls, and settings that promote usefulness and a feeling of not being alone. Current options available to older adults may not meet all of their needs, and creativity is needed in devising interventions to meet these needs. Structuring long-term care settings to encourage activity in older adults and connecting with other generations can help prevent feelings of loneliness and uselessness, and help older adults live meaningful and productive lives in long-term care settings. Long-Term Healthcare Needs of the Elderly As adults age many will require long-term health care. The evolving needs of the older adult population will require creative and new ways to meet their health care needs. This paper will look at the needs older adults have, and options that are currently available to meet these long-term care needs. This paper will also present new options that have been proposed for long-term health care settings, how these options compare with current interventions, and what outcomes can be expected if these new options are implemented. The Problem As life expectancies increase the older adult population will also increase. According...
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...and the Chronically Ill Older Adult’ is an article published in Sexuality and Disability, March, 2000 issue, written by Verna C. Pangman and Marilyn Seguire. In this article, the authors provide an awareness of how sexuality, as it relates with the chronically ill older adult, is not adequately addressed by the healthcare professional. This article promotes awareness, dispels myths and provides an overview of recommended approaches to addressing the sexual needs of this population. Summary of Article Sexuality, though described as one of the most natural and basic aspects of life that affects an individual’s identity as a human being (Pangan & Seguire,2007), has developed very devaluing reactions from society. Addressing sexuality for this population is often neglected. It is unfortunate because sexuality is a very natural instinct that doesn’t go away just because you grow old or develop a chronic illness. Sexuality and growing old have been coupled together in a myth that presents the perception that one cancels out the other and this is so far from the truth. This perception leads to the misconception of the importance of sexuality to the elderly while making it difficult for the elderly to hold onto the value of sexuality as a part of their normal lives. The article continues on to describe the importance of the health care professional, especially those educated in the field of gerontology or those who work with the aging population, to recognize the importance...
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...by the assistance of family and friends, while formal care can be thought of as government programs such as Home and Care Community Packages. For older adults, these kinds of care programs are “provided in the person’s own home, in special living accommodations, or in a mixture of these two” (From, Johansson, & Athlin 2009). People over the age of 65 years are defined as older adults (Ables et al. 1998). And apart from disabilities, older adults generally receive care in the area of instrumental daily activities. Instrumental daily activities include “shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry, managing finances, taking medications, and using transportation” (Jarvis, 2012, p. 833). Although the quality of care received is subjective, a study by From, Johansson , and Athlin (2009), showed that there is “a considerable amount of research reported on what constitutes good quality in the care of older people in a community setting, from the point of view of caregivers, relatives, and older adults”. Good quality care consists of being able to identify older adult’s needs quickly, build relationships, and social support (From et al., 2009). The sense of well-being for older adults is strongly tied to social networks and connections such as friends and family (Buys et al., 2015). “The overwhelming preference of older adults is to stay in their homes as long as possible” (Krout & Wethington 2003). “Retired Australians (aged >...
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...As our gerontologic population is aging, there are many concerns to address. One concern is that older adults are more vulnerable. In this discussion, I will provide two credible articles to reveal the susceptibility that older adults are at risk for. I will also identify key concepts and risks. Furthermore, I will explain how to eliminate or minimize some of these risks. In the older adult population, vulnerability is seeping out from many angles. One major of concern is the area of financial exploitation. Moreover, thefts and scams are rising at a rapid rate. Financial abuse consists of six main domains to include thefts and scams, coercion tied to financial affairs, mismanagement of property or belongings, abuse of trust, a sense...
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...Demographics The Aging Population Michele R. Morris HCS/490 July 17, 2011 Jennifer Pharr The Aging Population The aging population does not seem like anything other than people just receiving older. Referred to as the Baby Boomers this demographic of people are those ages 65 and older. People may think the demographics of our population have no affect on health care or our economy. This paper will include the information that proves our countries demographics do impact health care and the economy. For example, information was gathered about the target area, the aging population, and the general impact that demographic group has on the health care market. This information will also include how the aging population will increase the nation’s health care costs and prescription drug costs. This paper will include information about how a chronic disease wellness program may affect the cost for the aging population and how these issues can be addressed. Statistics Because of this proposed “baby boom” generation rapidly increasing, there has been an increased health care cost. The health care cost per person for people over age 65 is three to five times greater than that of people under the age of 65 (United states census bureau, 2003). This increased cost along with other factors such as long-term care and advancements in technology could increase health care cost even higher. More than 50 million of these Baby Boomers are sparking a demand for...
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