Medical Care for Aging Population

Health Care Reform

Wendy Witt

HCS/440

June 8, 2013

Dr. Eric Oestmann

The aging population in the United States presents economic challenges for the health care system, health care professionals, and consumers.  This steadily increasing population will place a severe strain on health care, federal programs, social security, and Medicare. Aging populations are high risk in developing chronic diseases, reduced quality of life, and increased health care costs. With the increase on longevity, and older adults in society it is crucial to develop and implement new approaches specific to prevention, health promotion, care management, and cost containment for the aging population. Strategies for health care providers, professionals, and aging experts must are crucial to respond to these challenges. It is crucial for the United States health care system to promote wellness, prevention, and maintain the delivery of high quality care for the aging population.

Medical care for the elderly and aging adults has become a popular topic lately. Aging is both a blessing and a curse concerning healthcare and the medical field. Several insurance companies are starting to cut the coverage and procedures and annual test that should be completed for preventative care. Often time’s older adults have multiple health conditions and disorders as a result of poor decisions earlier in life, such as a bad diet, lack of exercise, bad habits, smoking, drinking, and genetics. Physicians and Clinics are beginning to stop accepting new Medicare and Medicaid patient, for the simple fact that they know the insurance may not cover the cost of their care, visit or medication. So the question becomes, “what can we do to improve the quality of care the elderly are receiving?”  As people live longer, they are more likely to spend and decrease their savings and assets to meet their medical care costs (Gleckman, 2002). Most of them are on a fixed income whether it is their retirement pension, investments or savings; healthcare takes out a huge chunk per month. Some older adults have even gone as far as using holistic medications, such as herbals and acupuncture. Some even skip going to the doctor because he or she just simply cannot afford it. This is not a good practice at all because it could mean the difference between life and death. Early detection is the key to surviving most potentially fatal diseases. With the Obama Health care reform in place, it will most likely help cover most of the rising cost of the medical fees. As a member of the health care team, it is known that several doctors are not on board with the health care reform, because essentially they feel as if they are going to be providing free health care. In the future elderly adults will have a longer life expectancy as a result of easy access to health care.