| There are many things to consider when caring | | | | and 16.3 more for men than what was estimated |
| for an elderly loved one. Now that people are | | | | in the year 1900. |
| living well and living longer, elder | | | | |
| healthcare has become very important. This | | | | In 1900, the average life expectancy was |
| relatively new area of healthcare and | | | | 49.2 years, whereas today, it is 76.9. As you |
| provider services is often referred to as | | | | can see, this has dramatically increased. |
| elder care. It encompasses a wide variety of | | | | While this is greatly attributed to the |
| issues which include: choosing an appropriate | | | | advances in modern medicine, it is also in |
| physician or physicians to care for an aging | | | | part because people are taking an active |
| patient, setting up home care is possible, | | | | stance in their own lives and taking better |
| and making decisions about moving the patient | | | | care of themselves. Still, it is crucial to |
| from his or her home to a residential care | | | | plan for the time when a great health |
| setting. Persons age 65 and older are the | | | | insurance plan will mean good care and |
| fastest growing segment of America's | | | | improved quality of life. |
| population. Many in this population are | | | | |
| living a healthy, active, independent life; | | | | One of the biggest problems facing many |
| however, as more and more people reach their | | | | seniors today is their inability to afford |
| 80s and 90s, the number of people who need | | | | medication. Since many people over 65 take |
| assistance with daily living is increasing, | | | | medication on a regular basis, most often |
| as are the responsibilities of those who are | | | | more than one type simultaneously, it has |
| providing the care. The statistics on elder | | | | become necessary in recent years to address |
| healthcare may surprise you. | | | | this issue. Many healthcare plans won't cover |
| | | | various medications, while others cover only |
| According to the U.S. Department of Health | | | | a small part. This often means choosing the |
| and Human Services Administration on Aging, | | | | medications, or in some cases medication, the |
| the elder population, (those age 65 and | | | | individual can afford, and which one or ones |
| older), numbered more than 35 million | | | | he or she can do without. This can be met |
| Americans in recent reports. Since people are | | | | with negative results, since it is presumed |
| living longer, these numbers are constantly | | | | the person wouldn't be taking the medication |
| increasing and not expected to dip any time | | | | if it wasn't necessary. There are, however, |
| soon. | | | | companies who have begun addressing this |
| | | | problem by offering prescription plans and |
| Also reported by the U.S. Department of | | | | insurance targeted for the elderly. |
| Health and Human Services Administration on | | | | |
| Aging, the number of elders increased 12 | | | | While there are many important aspects of |
| percent since 1990, , compared to a 13.3 | | | | elder healthcare to consider, there are steps |
| percent increase of the population under 65 | | | | that are being taken to help make it easier |
| during the same time period. Today, persons | | | | and more affordable. Legislature is |
| who reach age 65 have an average life | | | | addressing some of these issues and trying to |
| expectancy of an additional 17.9 years. This | | | | come up with solutions to suit a variety of |
| calculates out to 19.2 years more for women, | | | | needs. |