Dental problems are often rampant amongst the elderly population. Some of this issue is simply because of age; as we get older health problems become more likely, if not because of declining immune systems, then simply because we have been alive longer, giving ourselves more time to develop issues. Many health issues develop in the elderly because of another, more sinister, reason: a lack of money. A lot of people are impacted by this, but is perhaps the elderly population that is the most negatively impacted by this.
Statistics back this claim up. Estimates say that 20 percent of adults age 65 or over have untreated cavities. This number goes up significantly when you look at lower socioeconomic status and minority groups. Of those individuals age 75 or older, about 25 percent have lost all of their teeth. Obviously this is an age group that needs special attention when it comes to dental health. Not only is good dental health correlated with a high quality of life, dental problems are often really painful. Treating these issues before they become issues is the best course of action.
Helping an elderly loved one to keep up with their dentist appointments–and any other medical appointments–can be overwhelming. This is why it’s important that if you do use an in-home care service that they readily provide transportation to medical appointments when given notice that it is needed. This takes a huge burden off of family caregivers, and it also creates an extra safeguard to ensure that your loved one’s health and quality of life is upheld as strongly as possible.
The cost of care still is a huge issue for many, especially when it comes to dental care. Traditional Medicare does not cover the majority of dental procedures, and Medicaid only covers certain things. A lot of dentists do not accept Medicaid or Medi-Cal as insurance because what it does cover, they do not pay providers very much for those things. Making plans beyond these two insurance types is a must, especially for seniors. Some Medicare supplement policies, sometimes referred to as Medi-Gap policies, can be used to fill in and establish a higher quality of healthcare, but these sometimes have a steep price attached to them. However, that price tag is well worth it in most cases if it keeps your mom or dad happier and healthier. Sitting down and speaking with someone who deals with insurance on a professional level may prove to be beneficial to you, especially in the ever-changing atmosphere that we currently find ourselves in.
Dental health has improved quite a bit over the years for seniors. Better technology, fluoride in the water, and an overall greater awareness of how to keep ourselves healthy has helped millions of seniors to preserve their dental health. There’s still a long way to go, though. Helping your loved one to take strides today to improve this area of life is important, especially because it is an often ignored area. Seniors are already at a higher risk of health issues, this doesn’t need to be another area where they suffer.
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