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