Elderly care 1581682 225566493 2008-07-14T10:03:55Z 75.18.186.124 /* External links */ ---- {{Onesource|date=May 2008}} '''Elderly care''' or simply '''eldercare''' is the fulfillment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens. This broad term encompasses such services as [[assisted living]], [[Adult daycare center|adult day care]], [[Long-term care|long term care]], [[nursing home]]s, [[Hospice care|hospice]] care, and in [[Home care]]. ==Cultural and geographic differences== The form of elder care provided varies greatly among countries and is changing rapidly. Even within the same country, regional differences exist with respect to the care for the elderly. Traditionally elder care has been the responsibility of family members and was provided within the [[extended family]] home. Increasingly in modern societies, elder care is now being provided by state or charitable institutions. The reasons for this change include decreasing family size, the greater [[life expectancy]] of elderly people, the geographical dispersion of families, and the tendency for women to be educated and work outside the home. Although these changes have affected European and North American countries first, it is now increasingly affecting Asian countries also. In most western countries, elder care facilities are freestanding. They may also be part of a continuing-care retirement community, seniors apartment complex, or wing of a nursing home. Ownership and operations of these facilities vary also. In the [[United States]], most of the large multi-facility providers are publicly owned and managed as for-profit businesses. There are exceptions; the largest operator in the US is the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, a not-for-profit organization that manages 6,531 beds in 22 states, according to a 1995 study by the [[American Health Care Association]]. ==Medical versus social care== A distinction is generally made between medical and social care, and the latter is much less likely to be covered by insurance or public funds. In the US, 86% of the one million or so residents in assisted living facilities pay for care out of their own funds. The rest get help from family and friends and from state agencies. [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]] does not pay unless skilled-nursing care is needed and given in certified skilled nursing facilities. Assisted living facilities usually do not meet Medicare's requirements. However, Medicare does pay for some skilled care if your relative meets the requirements for the [[Medicare home health benefit]]. Thirty-two states pay for care in [[assisted living]] facilities through their [[Medicaid]] wavier programs. Similarly, in the [[United Kingdom]] the [[National Health Service]] provides medical care for the elderly, as for all, free at the point of use, but social care is only paid for by public authorities when a person has exhausted their private resources. Elderly care emphasizes the social and personal requirements of [[senior citizens]] who need some assistance with daily activities and health care, but who desire to age with dignity. It is an important distinction, in that the design of housing, services, activities, employee training and such should be truly customer-centered. However, elderly care is focused on satisfying the expectations of two tiers of customers: the resident customer and the purchasing customer, who are often not identical, since relatives or public authorities rather than the resident may be providing the cost of care. Where residents are confused or have communication difficulties, it may be very difficult for relatives or other concerned parties to be sure of the standard of care being given, and the possibility of [[elder abuse]] is a continuing source of concern. ==Improving Mobility in the Elderly== Impaired mobility is a major health concern for older adults, affecting fifty percent of people over 85 and at least a quarter of those over 75. As adults lose the ability to walk, to climb stairs, and to rise from a chair, they become completely disabled. The problem cannot be ignored because people over 65 constitute the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. Therapy designed to improve mobility in elderly patients is usually built around diagnosing and treating specific impairments, such as reduced strength or poor balance. It is appropriate to compare older adults seeking to improve their mobility to athletes seeking to improve their split times. People in both groups perform best when they measure their progress and work toward specific goals related to [[strength]], [[aerobic capacity]], and other physical qualities. Someone attempting to improve an older adult’s mobility must decide what impairments to focus on, and in many cases, there is little scientific evidence to justify any of the options. Today, many caregivers choose to focus on leg strength and balance. New research suggests that limb [[velocity]] and [[core strength]] may also be important factors in mobility.<ref> Bean, Jonathan. “Three Big Risks For Older Adults: Walking, Climbing Stairs and Rising from a Chair - Evidence-based Rehabilitative Care for Older Adults.” CIMIT Forum. November 6, 2007.</ref> ==See also== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} * [[Adult daycare center]] * [[Aging in Place]] * [[Companies operating nursing homes in the U.S.]] * [[Elder abuse]] * [[Elderly people in Japan]] * [[Family therapy]] {{col-2}} * [[Geriatrics]] * [[Home Automation for the Elderly and Disabled]] * [[Human care]] * [[Pensioner]] * [[Old age]] * [[Social work]] * [[Jean Griswold]] * [[Sandwich Generation]] {{col-end}} ==References== * Bean, Jonathan. “Three Big Risks For Older Adults: Walking, Climbing Stairs and Rising from a Chair - Evidence-based Rehabilitative Care for Older Adults.” CIMIT Forum. November 6, 2007. == Books == * Cavaye, J. (2006) Hidden Carers, Dunedin Press, Edinburgh ISBN: 1-903765668 * Zukerman, Rachelle ''Eldercare for Dummies'', For Dummies, 2003. ISBN 0-764-52469-0 * Beerman, Susan & Rappaport-Musson, Judith ''Eldercare 911: The Caregiver's Complete Handbook for Making Decisions'', Prometheus Books, 2002. ISBN 1-591-02014-X * Robin Means[http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/research/Default.aspx?ss=3&pageid=126], Sally Richards[http://www.reading.ac.uk/Health/about/staff/s-c-richards.asp] and Randall Smith[http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/research/cus/staff/smith.shtml] (2008) ''Community Care: Policy and Practice [http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp//0230006744]'', Palgrave MacMillan. ISBN 0230006744 * Casey, Nell (ed.) (2007) An Uncertain Inheritance: Writers on Caring for Family, HarperCollins, New York (227 pgs) ISBN 978-0-06-087530-5 * Lieberman, Trudy & The Editors of Consumer Reports (2000) Complete Guide to Health Services for Seniors, Three Rivers Press, New York (568 pgs)ISBN: 0-8129-3147-5 ==External links== * [http://www.cimit.org CIMIT] Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology * [http://www.direct.gov.uk/carers Directgov caring for someone UK govt information * [http://eldercare.gov ElderCare.gov] United States Government publication - Eldercare locator connects older Americans and their caregivers with sources of information on senior services * [http://eldercareexpo.ca Elder Carer Expo] Canadian resources and information about caregiving to the elderly * [http://Boomer.Advisor.com Boomer Advisor Magazine] Magazine offering very useful advice for Boomers who are taking care of their aging parents. * [http://www.greekcare.org.au Greek care] Cultural information resource for care professionals looking after Greek elderly people. ==Research== * [http://hsc.uwe.ac.uk/net/research/Default.aspx?pageid=421] The Development of Welfare Services for Elderly People 1971 - 1993 - University of the West of England <!-- Categorization --> [[Category:Healthcare]] [[Category:Old age]] [[Category:Geriatrics]] [[Category:Medicare and Medicaid (United States)]] [[Category:Nursing specialties]] [[de:Altenpflege]] [[sv:Äldreomsorg]]