As the life expectancy in the United States rises, the number of elderly in the population has also expanded. These increases have led to the oldest-old (people aged 90 and older) to become the fastest growing age group in the country. The oldest-old face many unique challenges because of their age, one of which is disability. Disability in the elderly has major impact upon society 1 and will continue will be a growing burden in years to come.
Although there is evidence from many studies that disability rate is declining in the U.S.2, the rapid expansion of the oldest-old age group will continue to pose health care challenges for future generations. Disability prevalence rates are very high in the oldest-old3 and even reached 97% in centenarians4. These high rates of disability will have a tremendous financial impact in the future as people living with disability have much higher health care expenditures5.
Because of the growing concern associated with disability in the elderly, many researchers have examined factors that may be associated with the risk disability in the elderly. These factors have ranged widely, including functional limitations6-9, level of physical activity10, 11, depression12-15, cognitive status13, 16, 17, comorbidities18, 19, falls6, 20, self-rated health21, 22, social interaction23 and others24.
Understanding the incidence of disability in the oldest-old is a critical step in identifying methods of reducing disability in this at-risk age group. We examined incident disability in a large cohort of participants aged 90 and older, The 90+ Study. As part of their participation in The 90+ Study, participants are followed longitudinally, with detailed information about functional abilities obtained ye...
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...verestimate disability, especially in the elderly47.
This manuscript details the alarming increase in disability in the oldest old. With the rapid growth of this age group, issues associated with functional loss with have a tremendous financial impact throughout the world. The study has identified several risk factors associated with increased disability incidence, several of which may be modifiable. This is especially critical, as CHF is the most expensive medical illness in the United States and represents over 5% of the total health care budget48. With the prevalence and incidence of CHF rapidly rising in the United States49, it will be critical to prepare for the dramatic increase in disability as a result. Reduction of risk factors for CHF, such as hypertension and high cholesterol, would likely be beneficial in reducing incident disability in the oldest old.
In 1965 the first Aging American’s Act was passed. This legislation was part of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society reform. In passing this legislation nearly 50 years ago, the government created a new department the focused on the rights and needs of the gaining population called the United States Administration on Aging. The original legislation was complete with seven titles. The articles include Title I—the Declaration of Objectives for Older Americans; Title II—Establishment of Administration on aging; Title III—Grants for state and community programs on aging; Title IV—Activities for health and independence, and longevity; Title V—Community service senior opportunities act; Title VI—Grants for Native Americans; and Title VII—allotments for vulnerable elder rights protection activities. Each of these titles are present in the most recent Aging Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2013. Each of the titles in the original and reauthorization have levels of measure to ensure that the legislation is enacted in a manner that will protect the aging population. The titles provide guidance to involved organizations and caregivers ensuring each is properly educated in treating the medical and mental health needs of the aging population as well as recognizing, reporting, and preventing elderly abuse, neglect, and physical, mental, and financial exploitation.
African American senior citizens face a health care crisis too. They have worked all of their lives to secure retirement, but their retirement has been threatened because of the rising cost of long-term medical care. Insurance companies have failed to provide affordable long-term care, protection that most senior citizens need. This lack of long term care and affordability has been a serious problem for the health care system. In some cities, the shortage of hospital beds is so serious that it is common for patients to stay in emergency rooms before they can be admitted to an inpatient room (Drake 109). More than one thousand hospital beds are occupied by people who could be better care for in nursing homes or through home health care (Drake 110). Of the disabled elderly 1.3 million reside in nursing homes (Drake 10). These patients are unable to perform two or more of the basic activities of daily living without assistance.
In 1972, Geraldo Rivera with the help of Dr. Michael Wilkin of Staten Island's Willowbrook State School gained access to the institution and filmed the deplorable conditions the residents were living in. Now 25 years later the documentary reflects on four survivors of Staten Island's Willowbrook State School and their families. The family members give testimonials on how it felt to discover that their child had a disability, leave their loved ones in an institution, and the quality of care and services provided. The film also focuses on the progress made by the members that now live in group homes and the quality of their lives.
Successful Aging Elderly (SAE) Introduction In the elderly population most of the research carried out so far emphasizes on the functional problems and diseases. When it comes to successful aging elderly (SEA), it has been recommended that health status should be used to distinguish between elderly subgroups and disease-free people who can describe successful aging elderly (SAE). The research papers aims to describe a transitory overview of successful aging elderly research, illustrated in their chief sections: cognitive aspects, psychological and social aspects. It is proposed that future studies will unemployment an extensive demonstration of SAE, where the emphasis will be more on biological, health and cognitive perspectives.
Vassallo, M., Mallela, S., Williams, A., Kwan, J., Allen, S. & Sharma, J. (2009). Fall Risk Factors in Elderly Patients with Cognitive Impairment on Rehabilitation Wards. Japan Geriatrics Society, 9, 41-46.
Hartigan, I. (2007). A comparative review of the Katz ADL and the Barthel Index in assessing the activities of daily living of older people. International Journal of Older People Nursing, 2(3), 204-212.
As the population of the United States ages and lifespan increases, the U.S. is being faced with challenges that could either hurt the country or benefit it if plans are executed correctly. By the year 2050, more than thirty-two million Americans will be over the age eighty and the share of the 80-plus generation will have doubled to 7.4 percent. Health care and aging population has become a great deal considering the impact it is having on the U.S. The United States is heading into another century with an outstanding percentage of people within the aging population. Today’s challenges involving health care and the aging populations are the employees of health professions being a major percentage of the aging population, the drive into debt, and prevention and postponement of disease and disability.
As one ages, the body accumulates a myriad of multidimensional changes in the realms of physical, biological, psychological, and social alterations. These changes can manifest from a deficiency in one area or an abundance in another. According to the student nurse, these changes can be functional, potentially dysfunctional, or dysfunctional based on Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns. The student nurse conducts a similar interview and assessment process with each patient to gather subjective and objective data related to the health and wellness of the individual. The function of the student nurse’s interview process using Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns reflects the purpose of the interviewing an elderly individual in the community. The purpose of this paper is to emulate the nursing process by ranking the priority of care for the identified health problems using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
The excessive cost of Healthcare in American is creating concern for aging adults in need of long-term health care services and support. Long term healthcare is a largely profit driven industry that focuses on the the after affects of an event like a heart attack, accident, or a diagnosis of a chronic disease like diabetes as a primary means of treatment. Physicians prefer the traditional means of therapy where time permits for the patient consultation. The importance of
With increasing age, older adults become more vulnerable. This vulnerability is largely due to the normal aging process and the changes that occurs to one’s vision and mobility. R.H. is an older adult that was picked to conduct the interview. He is seventy-three years old and continues to work full time. His previous construction job has taken a toll on his body and has left him with arthritis in his knees and shoulders. With R.H.’s arthritis and other comorbidities, education is needed to promote healthy living and improve his quality of life. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the prior interviews with R.H., list my patient’s strengths and weaknesses, and identify R.H. and his family’s needs. In addition, I will formulate a
Periera, C. L.N., Baptista, F., & Infante, P. (2014). Role of physical activity in the occurrence of falls and fall-related injuries in community-dwelling adults over 50 years old. Disability and Rehabilitation, 36(2), 117-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2013.782355
A recent study done at Rush University Medical Center concluded that higher levels of social activity correlate with a decreased risk of becoming disabled (James). Social activity has been recognized as an important element to healthy aging for quite some time, but now there is confirmation that it leads to better functionality in old age. In this study, over 1,100 adults aged 65 or older were assessed qualitatively every year for a period of 5-12 years. They reported on a scale how many times per week to year they participated in activities such as going to restaurants, sporting events or play bingo; go on day trips or overnight trips; do unpaid community or volunteer work; visit relatives’ or friends’ houses; participate in groups, such as senior center, Knights of Columbus, Rosary Society, or something similar; and attend c...
Today, world’s population is aging at a very fast pace and United States is no exception to this demographic change. According to the U.S Census Bureau, senior citizens will be accounted for 21% of the American population in 2050 (Older Americans, 2012). Although living longer lives may not seem like a negative sign, living longer does not necessarily mean living healthier. Older adults of today are in need of long-term and health care services more than any generation before them (Older Americans, 2012). Because of the growing need for senior care, millions of families are facing critical decisions on how to provide care for their parents. In addition, declining birthrates may cause people to have less familial care and support as they age. To be able to provide the necessary care for senior citizens government funded long term care insurance program is needed.
Older adults are a very knowledgeable population and have had a lot of life experiences. As people age, things start to change physically, mentally, and socially. It’s important to understand the process of aging, so that older adults can be taken care of properly. I interviewed P.R. who is a 71-year-old male that lives alone in his home. P.R. is a retired coal miner, and is currently living off his social security and savings. He lives close to both his daughter and son, who frequently help him out with things that are needed. P.R. was able to give me a lot of insight about specific challenges that he has experienced in his life that is associated with aging. I will be discussing challenges that P.R experienced physically, mentally,
While increasing age, it also increases a likelihood of disability. Disability is defined as the inability to perform activities of daily living or the failure of function undependable, but