Yesterday, we looked at some of the trends in senior care that will carry on into the 21st Century and perhaps beyond. Today, let’s look at why these trends are going on right, and identify the key points you need to be aware of in order to provide your elderly parent with the best care possible.
First, remember that our population is getting older. Life expectancy is up for both men and women–around the world and in the United States– and those that were born in the population boom from after the Second World War are ntell the future here, but by being aow in their senior years. This has created a big boost to the number of elderly people in our society, and that number is only going to keep getting bigger. More elderly folk in our communities means more care, and it means a different approach will be needed if insurance companies–particularly those policy types that are reliant upon public funding like Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal)–are going to be paying for these things. And that leads to the next point.
Another thing to know is that health care laws are not static. There have been a lot of changes in how states administer health care laws because of the Affordable Care Act, and it means that senior care is in a state of flux. As the kinks get worked out of this new law, it is likely that there will be changes in how medical care and long term care are all given and paid for by insurance companies. It’s impossible to tell just how the laws will change and how it will impact the application of care, but it will hopefully be more beneficial to those that need assistance. Hopefully, things like in-home care, assisted living, and senior community living will become more accessible to those that will benefit the most from them.
Also consider the fact that the world is changing. 50 years ago, things like in-home care were very rare if you wanted to find a professional caregiver. Today, it is becoming the norm. Technology is evolving, too. Video chats were an impossibility 50 years ago, but today, children can set them up on their parents smartphones with ease. Senior citizens might not have grown up with this technology, but there are many features that are extremely simple to understand, and this has made senior care accessible on a virtual level, too. There are good and bad things about technology, but when the good features can be applied to helping people live healthier lives, then even more momentum is given toward constant improvement in these areas. And if companies can make money off of them, they’ll keep doing it. For our elderly parents and grandparents, this is a very good thing in the end.
It’s impossible to tell the future, but these things will be at the forefront of how senior care is shaped. Keep in mind that other things may happen too, and as long as you are aware of them, your senior care planning will be much easier.
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