Turner: Health Care and Long-term Care
Professional Development Paper 3
Michelle Turner
Aspen University
Health Care Systems
N502
Dawn Deem
October 4, 2014
Professional Development Paper 3
Given the increasing longevity of Americans and the costs of providing long-term care, anticipation of the costs should be a major element of every family’s financial planning. Current information suggests however, that very few families or individuals give this consideration. What factors might impede this advance planning? What measures might be effective in raising awareness among Americans about this important matter?
Our aging population is the fastest growing proportion of the population in the United States. They are also the highest consumers in need of long-term services (Sultz and Young, 2011 p. 267). But, not all of those in need plan for long term care. There are often several factors that impede this advanced planning.
One of those impentions could simply be confusion. Configuring a package of services that meets the needs, promotes independence, and mantains lifestyle quality is complex and confusing (Sultz and Young p. 268). Long-term care can be provided in a home setting, in the community, or in various types of facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It would not be uncommon for several agencies and services to be involved. If one service fails to coordinate there becomes an obstacle leads to even more confusion. Prevention and early planning are necessary to make the process easier for elders and their families. The smaller number of support people both hinders the ability of assistance in advanced planning and denies them the desire to stay in their own homes. Many people in our society grow old alone because of chosen family size, single parenting, and divorce.
Denial is also a part of the problem. As a society we tend to deny or push aside the natural progression of life, which is death. “Denial about death does a disservice of not dealing with
Michelle Turner
Aspen University
Health Care Systems
N502
Dawn Deem
October 4, 2014
Professional Development Paper 3
Given the increasing longevity of Americans and the costs of providing long-term care, anticipation of the costs should be a major element of every family’s financial planning. Current information suggests however, that very few families or individuals give this consideration. What factors might impede this advance planning? What measures might be effective in raising awareness among Americans about this important matter?
Our aging population is the fastest growing proportion of the population in the United States. They are also the highest consumers in need of long-term services (Sultz and Young, 2011 p. 267). But, not all of those in need plan for long term care. There are often several factors that impede this advanced planning.
One of those impentions could simply be confusion. Configuring a package of services that meets the needs, promotes independence, and mantains lifestyle quality is complex and confusing (Sultz and Young p. 268). Long-term care can be provided in a home setting, in the community, or in various types of facilities such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. It would not be uncommon for several agencies and services to be involved. If one service fails to coordinate there becomes an obstacle leads to even more confusion. Prevention and early planning are necessary to make the process easier for elders and their families. The smaller number of support people both hinders the ability of assistance in advanced planning and denies them the desire to stay in their own homes. Many people in our society grow old alone because of chosen family size, single parenting, and divorce.
Denial is also a part of the problem. As a society we tend to deny or push aside the natural progression of life, which is death. “Denial about death does a disservice of not dealing with
References: Administration on Aging (2011). Facts: Aging and Disability Resource Center. http://aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/Products_Materials/fact/pdfADRC.pdf Brugha, T. S., Wing, J. K., Brewin, C. R., et al (1993) The relationship of social network deficits with deficits in social functioning in long-term psychiatric disorders. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 28, 218–224. Byrne, P. (1997) Psychiatric stigma: past, passing and to come. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 90, 618–620. Goffman, E. (1963) Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. Phelan, J. C., Bromet, E. J. & Link, B. G. (1998) Psychiatric illness and family stigma. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 24, 115–126. Sultz , H. A., & Young, K. A. (2011). Health care USA: Understanding its organization and delivery (7th ed.). Boston: Jones & Bartlett U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). http://longtermcare.gov/costs