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Living on with Elderly healthcare
When considering the collective generation and the ones who have laid the ground work for the future, one often reflects on the seniors of this nation. In relation to senior citizens and the recent rise in nursing home regulatory problems, many families are now questioning themselves on how to properly preserve their legacy while also efficiently maintaining senior’s health. A report in America’s Health Rankings Senior Report of 2016 reflected that “Georgia ranks 39th among all states on senior health"(Watts 153). As a result of the state-wide health apprehension, many Georgia families have turned to options such as at-home care and nursing home care, and in comparison both provide the elderly with an individualized focus on nursing costs, safety and overall wellness.
In connection to the overall senior health crisis, cost of such healthcare for the elderly has been debatable. Many have disputed whether “the nation’s health care reforms will help or hurt senior citizens’ health costs” (Vladeck 38). Nursing homes have been reputably considerate of this cost issue for senior living, as they offer customized expense plans for seniors and their families. According to an article journal, Nursing homes provide “personalized pricing packages ranging from daily to monthly rates” (Coe 58), depending on the seniors’ needs and personalized accommodations. Medicaid acceptance is also an aspect of cost for families to consider in covering senior health costs. The Georgia Department of Community Health states that “Nursing homes that meet established guidelines and periodic inspections by the department can offer Medicaid to assist with living expenses and other services” (Coe 60).
Similarly, cost and expenses for at- home senior care can be considered to be just as comprehensive as what is offered in nursing homes. The at-home senior care option also provides families with a budgeted expense portfolio which allows for flexibility of payments from hourly, daily and monthly rates. In review, much like nursing homes, “Georgia Medicaid covers in-home senior care with minimal government restrictions” (Coe 57). The article ‘Paying for Senior care’, confirms that services offered at nursing homes “such as medication management, bathing, meal preparation and cleaning are covered by Medicaid for in-home care (Coe 57)”.
As it relates to the nation’s concern with senior health cost, many are also growing alarmed over the safety of seniors. The Georgia Health news agrees with the growing national concern as it reports that “the number of nursing homes in Georgia being cited for serious safety care problems is growing at an alarming rate” (Watts 153). Concerns on the overall nursing attentiveness and care relating to recent reports of senior falls have risen. Though nursing homes are catered to providing a rotating schedule of interchanging nursing home staff for the senior throughout the day, there are still numerous reports that “each year, millions of people 65 and older are treated in emergency departments as a result of falls” (Zork 17).
Though the alarming report of senior falls reflects safety concerns, this reporting is not a direct reflection of only nursing home care but all senior care. In a similar manner, at-home senior care has also raised safety concerns. Just as nursing home care provides monitoring and caring of the senior, at-home care provides “direct care of the elderly by one individual nurse” (Handley 24). Handley also adds that, “This one individual is solely responsible for the vigilant care and safety upkeep, including fall risks, of the patient at all times” (24).
As a result of the alarming statistics concerning senior citizens’ safety, families are solely seeking to ensure that their loved ones’ overall wellbeing and happiness is accounted for. Though nursing home care may represent “the end of the road and loss of independence” (Handley 22), many seniors make the transition rather willingly. Occasionally, due to isolations from family and familiar surroundings many residents at nursing homes often fall victim to depression and feelings of loneliness. So all in all, this transition does sometimes take a toll on the individuals’ wellbeing.
In relation to health and wellness, families should take into account that though nursing homes may bring about feelings of sadness for both parties, providing the elderly family member with routine visits similar to that of an at home-care would ultimately provide the elderly family member with “increased mental health and increased feelings of dignity throughout the geriatric years” (Teems 73).
To summarize, both at-home senior care and standardized nursing home care are methods of senior care which present Georgia families with opportunities in bridging the gap of national senior health issues. Both of the senior care methods provide families with an alternate in covering expenses for senior healthcare as well as alternate ways to consider the safety and overall health and wellness of their loved ones.
In connection to the overall senior health crisis, cost of such healthcare for the elderly has been debatable. Many have disputed whether “the nation’s health care reforms will help or hurt senior citizens’ health costs” (Vladeck 38). Nursing homes have been reputably considerate of this cost issue for senior living, as they offer customized expense plans for seniors and their families. According to an article journal, Nursing homes provide “personalized pricing packages ranging from daily to monthly rates” (Coe 58), depending on the seniors’ needs and personalized accommodations. Medicaid acceptance is also an aspect of cost for families to consider in covering senior health costs. The Georgia Department of Community Health states that “Nursing homes that meet established guidelines and periodic inspections by the department can offer Medicaid to assist with living expenses and other services” (Coe 60).
Similarly, cost and expenses for at- home senior care can be considered to be just as comprehensive as what is offered in nursing homes. The at-home senior care option also provides families with a budgeted expense portfolio which allows for flexibility of payments from hourly, daily and monthly rates. In review, much like nursing homes, “Georgia Medicaid covers in-home senior care with minimal government restrictions” (Coe 57). The article ‘Paying for Senior care’, confirms that services offered at nursing homes “such as medication management, bathing, meal preparation and cleaning are covered by Medicaid for in-home care (Coe 57)”.
As it relates to the nation’s concern with senior health cost, many are also growing alarmed over the safety of seniors. The Georgia Health news agrees with the growing national concern as it reports that “the number of nursing homes in Georgia being cited for serious safety care problems is growing at an alarming rate” (Watts 153). Concerns on the overall nursing attentiveness and care relating to recent reports of senior falls have risen. Though nursing homes are catered to providing a rotating schedule of interchanging nursing home staff for the senior throughout the day, there are still numerous reports that “each year, millions of people 65 and older are treated in emergency departments as a result of falls” (Zork 17).
Though the alarming report of senior falls reflects safety concerns, this reporting is not a direct reflection of only nursing home care but all senior care. In a similar manner, at-home senior care has also raised safety concerns. Just as nursing home care provides monitoring and caring of the senior, at-home care provides “direct care of the elderly by one individual nurse” (Handley 24). Handley also adds that, “This one individual is solely responsible for the vigilant care and safety upkeep, including fall risks, of the patient at all times” (24).
As a result of the alarming statistics concerning senior citizens’ safety, families are solely seeking to ensure that their loved ones’ overall wellbeing and happiness is accounted for. Though nursing home care may represent “the end of the road and loss of independence” (Handley 22), many seniors make the transition rather willingly. Occasionally, due to isolations from family and familiar surroundings many residents at nursing homes often fall victim to depression and feelings of loneliness. So all in all, this transition does sometimes take a toll on the individuals’ wellbeing.
In relation to health and wellness, families should take into account that though nursing homes may bring about feelings of sadness for both parties, providing the elderly family member with routine visits similar to that of an at home-care would ultimately provide the elderly family member with “increased mental health and increased feelings of dignity throughout the geriatric years” (Teems 73).
To summarize, both at-home senior care and standardized nursing home care are methods of senior care which present Georgia families with opportunities in bridging the gap of national senior health issues. Both of the senior care methods provide families with an alternate in covering expenses for senior healthcare as well as alternate ways to consider the safety and overall health and wellness of their loved ones.
Works Cited
Coe, B. Norma and April Yanyuan. “Paying for Senior Care.” Journal of Personal Finance, Vol. 15, Issue 1, (2016), p.56-62. Print
Handley, Melanie, et al. “Living and dying: responsibility for end-of-life care in care homes without on-site nursing provision” Health & Social Care in the Community, Vol. 22, Issue 1, (Jan 2014), p. 22-29. Print
Teems, Jennifer, et al. “Georgia Senior Centers Increase Preventive Behaviors for Falls and Fractures Following Community- Based Intervention.” Journal of nutrition in gerontology and geriatrics, Vol. 30, No. 1, (Feb. 9), p.72-85. Electronic source.
Vladeck, Fredda. “The Next Generation of Senior Services: Responding to Health Reform.” Care Management Journals, Vol. 1, (Spring 2012), p. 37-41. Print
Watts, A. Robert and Christopher J. Delgado. “Health: Care and Protection of Elderly Patients.” Georgia State University Law Review, Vol. 30, (2013), p.153. Print
Zork, Freya. “Nursing Home Disaster Planning and Response.” Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 40, Issue 12, (Dec 2014), p.16-24. Print
Handley, Melanie, et al. “Living and dying: responsibility for end-of-life care in care homes without on-site nursing provision” Health & Social Care in the Community, Vol. 22, Issue 1, (Jan 2014), p. 22-29. Print
Teems, Jennifer, et al. “Georgia Senior Centers Increase Preventive Behaviors for Falls and Fractures Following Community- Based Intervention.” Journal of nutrition in gerontology and geriatrics, Vol. 30, No. 1, (Feb. 9), p.72-85. Electronic source.
Vladeck, Fredda. “The Next Generation of Senior Services: Responding to Health Reform.” Care Management Journals, Vol. 1, (Spring 2012), p. 37-41. Print
Watts, A. Robert and Christopher J. Delgado. “Health: Care and Protection of Elderly Patients.” Georgia State University Law Review, Vol. 30, (2013), p.153. Print
Zork, Freya. “Nursing Home Disaster Planning and Response.” Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 40, Issue 12, (Dec 2014), p.16-24. Print