According to the US Census Bureau, by the year 2050, approximately 20.7% of the population will be 65 years or older. This is an incredible growth in the aging population of the US, especially when compared to 2000 when the population of people 65 and older was only 12.4%. As we enter an age with the highest number of retirees ever, the demand for aging care is greater than ever. Improvements in home care, health care, and technology will play a vital role in improving the lives of seniors, but with these advances arises concerns as well. A down economy and lack of financial resources have created an unclear future for those who are retiring. In order to help you get a grasp on the future of senior care, Nurse Gina has provided a brief list of the top trends she has noticed in elderly care and what it might mean for our future.
Seniors will have to rethink the longevity of their assets
Modern medical advances have allowed us to live longer, healthier lives than ever before. However, as we begin to live longer, it becomes more difficult to sustain our assets. What happens if you have a retirement plan that runs out because you outlived your assets?
As our society lives longer as a whole, we will need to rethink how we save for our futures as well as how that money is spent once we retire to ensure their longevity. For many this
may be an increase in the retirement age, or a different perspective on what retirement will embody. These assets are not just monetary, but physical assets as well. An increased life span raises the probability that physical deteriorations like dementia will set in. We must not only rethink how we manage our financial futures, but our physical futures as well, placing a greater demand on preventing and curing mentally deteriorating diseases.
Increased integration of technology
Technology has become such an integrated part of our lives that few people could imagine living a day without the internet at their finger tips. In home care, this technological
boom is becoming more evident as well. New life-saving devices are being integrated into homes throughout the country that help monitor patients and send alerts to medical professionals when needed. This technology allows for nurses to monitor the health and
medications of an individual without actually being present at the home. With this improvement in home care technology, seniors will be able to remain in their homes longer, giving them increased independence without worry of health and safety. Better yet, these devices are becoming more affordable and are beginning to play a key role in the home care industry, meaning that soon everyone will have access to these life-saving devices.
Shift from traditional nursing homes to community-based care
As home care technology improves, there will be a shift towards more community-based care alternatives that maintain seniors’ independence and quality of life. Rather than reside in a nursing home, seniors desire a more personalized approach to care that allows
them to remain in their homes and communities. Home care will continue to grow and evolve to provide personalized and engaging care tailored to each patient in the comfort of their own home. By keeping seniors involved in their community, home care will provide a greater life value without sacrificing professional and reliable care.
In order for long-term care facilities to survive, they will provide a more personalized approach to care as well. Rather than maintain all residents on similar schedules, they will begin to organize residents into smaller units based on similarities in health and mental condition. This will allow the facility to tailor meal times, activities, and personalized care to a smaller groups interests rater than standardize it throughout the entire facility, ultimately improving the quality of life and care for its residents.
If you have questions for Nurse Gina, our elderly care expert, email her!