The Burden Of Care For Our Aging America

| Saturday, August 6, 2011
By Rick Winters


Everyone is aging however in today's society, many countries are approaching a point where people over the age of sixty will outnumber the younger generations. This is because better health care is helping people live longer, more productive lives. Getting the right kind of aging care is important if you want to keep enjoying a good standard of living.

Keep in mind for anyone who is selecting a health care facility or care method for a loved one, you need to be realistic. It is normally hard to accurately view the health needs of a parent or relative since you want to think they are capable and in good health. But ignoring the needs of certain medical conditions, whether the wandering tendencies of an Alzheimer's patient or the tremors of a person with Parkinson's can actually do them harm.

Do you feel you are in good health but need assistance with daily chores and tasks? Should you be still mentally aware, have good balance and mobility, and are not in an altered mental state, you could possibly remain in your home and simply hire a nurse to come in. This can be great for some health conditions such as diabetes, where some specialised foot care may be needed but overall health is still fairly good.

There are also retirement homes, which may also be called assisted living facilities. These are fantastic if your health is good but you no longer want to live in your home or you want more companionship. One of the biggest problems that many elderly people can face is the feeling of isolation and the depression it can bring. Facilities where you still have your own living quarters but are around other people and can take part in activities may be what you need. Many retirement residences are now installing an alarm system into their residents' rooms so that if there is a medical emergency, staff can be alerted with the press of a button.

The next step in aging care is normally a nursing home. This is often reserved for people who are physically unable to care for themselves. You will often live in a ward, although some facilities do have private or semi-private rooms. The facilities are often set up more like a hospital than an apartment complex. They normally have ways of handling people with diseases like Alzheimer's or dementia, since these individuals like to wander and may need watching and extra security measures.

Palliative care isn't simply for the aging. It provides quality end of life care to those who are expected to pass away imminently. This may include people suffering from cancer or other diseases. This type of facility is often a facility of last resort, when people are too ill even for a nursing home. Often people will pass away in a nursing home rather than in palliative care but if a disease is very advanced, they may be moved either to a separate facility or to a designated area of a nursing facility.

It is advisable to think beyond the immediate situation when determining whether an individual aging care arrangement is good for you. By studying the aging process and any specific needs you have, you will discover a facility that will help you grow old gracefully and enjoy any remaining years you could have.




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