Population Based Primary Care
Discussion Board 1 Of the six items listed on the assignment, I chose option six from the list regarding health disparities. After viewing the list on Healthy People 2020, the focus of my research turned to Dementias including Alzheimer’s disease this is indicated as “new” to the list. According to the Healthy People 2020, one goal is to “Reduce the morbidity and costs associated with, and maintain or enhance the quality of life for persons with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease” (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The dementias are a growing concern in our country with the baby boomers quickly approaching retirement age. As a result, there are an increasing number of the population ages 65 and over (Healthy …show more content…
In addition, current estimates show that up to 5.1 million Americans over 65 have Alzheimer’s and that number is predicted to double by 2050 unless changes are implemented. Although the dementias affect everyone differently, as a group, they have can have a devastating effect on all who encounter the individual suffering from the disease. To explain, the patient can experience difficulty with memory, medication, finances, physical injuries, social relationships, meals, and other ADLs (Healthy People 2020, 2015). The patient’s memory distortions affects their ability to take medications properly and this leads to actual overdoses and omissions. When these occur, the patient suffers physically. When looking at finances, the patient suffering from dementia loses their ability to keep up with bills and other household responsibilities. In addition, one’s loss of physical function decreases their ability to bathe, dress, feed themselves and moreover, maintain their own safety. Consequently, patients with dementia are at greater risk for falls. As this disease develops, these patients experience digression and this leads to long-term care and more woes for the patient, families, caregivers, and society (Healthy People 2020,