Demographic_Paper

Demographic Paper: Impact of Aging Population Darla Selbrede University of Phoenix HCS 490/ Health Care Consumer Trends and Marketing Bob Schroeder February 21, 2010 Introduction Different populations have an impact on society and individual communities. However, the impact of the elderly is on a perpetual upward growth as the baby boomers reach retirement age. The focus of this impact is in my community of Alexandria which is in central Louisiana in Rapides Parish. In addition, the impact on health care costs and services to this community, the major issues the population faces, and the steps being taken to ease impact of issue is the focus. Impact of aging population As the aging population is growing, this growth is bringing about drastic changes in society generally. A person’s life expectancy is longer that also increases the incidents of chronic diseases, disability, and the need for long-term health care. In addition, retiree migration patterns are changing which affects hospital services. Issues like the financial costs of managing chronic diseases and funding public health insurance (such as Medicare) are becoming a major concern. These concerns are even more evident as baby boomers are reaching retirement age. The aging of baby boomers will spark off transformations in what is necessary to care for the elderly. There will be an increased need for doctors, especially those who specialize in various chronic diseases. Impatient and outpatient services for medical procedures and test will also be necessary to meet the increased population. Pharmacies’ roles in patient care will also change as new medications become available that treat chronic diseases. Changes in home care, long-term care, and community resources will have to increase because of the demand of care for the elderly (Carbine, 2008). Another impact that the increased elderly population will have is on the health care professionals who care for them. A nursing shortage is already an issue today and as people are living longer this will be a continual problem. In addition, the professionals who care in the health care field are also aging and these professionals will need replacement. Replacing these professionals also requires instructors who teach nurses, doctors, and other health care workers. Teachers in the medical field are also aging (Carbine, 2008). Numbers related to demographic population in my location (300) In the United States, the population of people 55 and older is approximately 23% according to the estimated 2008 U. S. Census. This estimation is counting only people who are not institutionalized. The population of people over 60 is approximately 17%. In Louisiana, the population of people over 65 is 12.2% (U. S. Census Bureau, 2010). Rapides Parish, located in the central region of Louisiana, has a census of 13.7 % population of people over 65. The only recent census available for this writer’s local community of Alexandria, Louisiana is 15.1% from the year 2000 (U. S. Census Bureau, 2010). With the upcoming 2010 Census, there is likely to be big change in the numbers as people are aging and also with the effects of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Gustav since the year 2000. Alexandria, Louisiana is in the middle of many smaller suburb towns and is also near other smaller parishes. Alexandria, Louisiana has two large hospitals that serve surrounding communities. In addition, the small towns in the area also serve the people in Alexandria. Most of the small communities have resources that serve the elderly. In 2008, Rapides Parish housed 1,373 people in nursing homes. In 2003, Rapides Parish had 16,227 people enrolled in Medicare because of their age (City-Data, 2010). Impact on health care costs and services to my community The impact of the elderly population on health care cost and services to Rapides Parish and Alexandria, Louisiana is not much different from any other place in the United States. Costs of modern technology and innovative medications and therapies have increased as the population of the elderly increases. Communities have had to shift and redistribute its resources in order to meet the extra needs of the elderly while keeping resources for other populations in the community. For example, elder abuse is increasing as the elderly population increases. Funding for elderly abuse programs must be shared with the funding for domestic and child abuse programs. Oftentimes, the elderly abuse programs get the lesser part of the funding. The increase of the elderly population also increases people who need nursing home placement or assisted living services. Some elderly end up living in shelters or homeless. All of these situations make it difficult for communities. Major issues the population faces One of the major issues that the growing aging population faces is related to those who care for the elderly who cannot care for their own health care needs. Health care workers who provide the greater part of direct care, management, and psychological support for the elderly and disabled is a necessity that continues to grow. These health care workers not only include professionals (such as nurses) but also paraprofessional workers who are paid a low salary. The paraprofessional health care workers are also known as certified nursing assistant and personal care assistant. Unfortunately, because of the low pay and the demanding job duties, there is a large turnover of these caregivers. The median salary for paraprofessional direct patient care workers was $29,770 in 2005 compared to $58,000 for over all female employees (Smith & Baughman, 2007). Steps being taken to ease impact of issue Alexandria, Louisiana and its surrounding areas have many ways that help lesson the impact of the growing elderly population. The Central Louisiana Council on Aging has several programs that are very helpful to senior citizens. One program is the Alexandria Senior Vision Program which helps seniors obtain eyeglasses and eye examinations. Another program is called Extra Help which helps seniors with prescriptions medication costs that Medicare does not pay for. Ombudsman Program is another program that helps seniors. This program includes people who respond to the needs and problems of nursing home and long-term facility patients. These people ensure that patients are receiving optimal care while treated with dignity. The Central Louisiana Cenla Agency on Aging has a new program called SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) in which counselors provide free advice about health insurance (Cenla Area Agency on Aging, 2010). Other resources are available to the elderly in the community which help their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health needs. One place is called Friendship House which is located in Alexandria. Friendship House is the only adult day care center in central Louisiana that is licensed. The mission statement of the Friendship House (2006) states, “Our Mission is to provide a safe and caring day program in a clean, home-like setting where adults find a renewed sense of self-worth through healthcare, socialization, and recreation.” Facilities like Friendship House can help an elderly person’s health be at an optimal level so the person can be independent while managing all aspects of their health. These places also help educate the elderly to be in charge of their well-being. Preventive health is also a goal of most programs that are offered in the community. Preventive health does not stop just because a person is over the age of 65. Conclusion The elderly has had an impact on society and its population increase does create some concerns about availability of resources to care for them. However, the elderly deserve to be treated with excellent care no matter how much this population increases. This age group has unique needs but they still need to be met. Each person deserves to live his and her life with happiness, healthiness, and dignity…no matter how old the person is. References Carbine, M. (2008). The aging of America. Implications for the business of health care. AIS Health. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from http://www.aishealth.com/Products/age.html Cenla Area Agency on Aging. (2010). The SHIP has docked in Cenla! Cenla Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Retrieved February 22, 2010 from http://cenlaaging.org/services.php City-Data. (2010). Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Retrieved February 22, 2010 from http://www.city-data.com/county/Rapides_Parish-LA.html Friendship House Adult Day Services, Inc. (2010). Mission statement and core values. Friendship House. Retrieved February 22, 2010 from http://www.friendship-house.net/site/Templates/template4.aspx'tabindex=1&tabid=74 Smith, K. & Baughman, R. (2007). Caring for America’s aging population: a profile of the direct-care workforce. (Direct-care workers). Monthly Labor Review. September 2007. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from Gale Group at Apollo Library. U. S. Census Burreau. (2010). Louisiana. State & County QuickFacts. Retrieved February 21, 2010 from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/22000.html