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Seniors have a lot to offer to families and society, but they require assistance to maintain their health and vitality. Regrettably, healthcare systems aren’t optimized to address the distinct health requirements of older individuals. As a result, aged people encounter various obstacles when seeking care, such as high costs, limited access to medications, difficulties with transportation to medical facilities, a shortage of adequately trained healthcare providers, and age-based discrimination.
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Think of your parents for a moment. They have given so much to this country. They deserve to be treated with respect in their old age. Societies worldwide are grappling with the task of enhancing the overall health of their populations while meeting their healthcare and social service needs, ensuring the quality of care, and striving to be cost-effective.
Demographic Transition:
Over the past century, there has been a remarkable rise in life expectancy across nearly all parts of the world, resulting in a progressively aging population. This phenomenon has been even more rapid in many developing nations compared to developed ones. In the case of developing countries, enhancements in areas like sanitation, nutrition, and the control of infectious diseases are frequently cited as factors contributing to the rapid aging of their populations.
Epidemiological Transitions:
Industrialization has played a role in this transition by introducing lifestyle changes, such as higher tobacco use, unhealthy eating habits, many harmful substances and reduced physical activity. People are not as active as they used to be, say, two decades ago. People two decades ago were physically and mentally stronger than now, and they had fewer health-related uses because of their diet and lifestyle. Old people have become dependent on machines. But this dependency is making them sick. A longer lifespan means extended exposure to these chronic disease risk factors.
The Impact of Two Seemingly Contradictory Trends:
In developed nations like America, healthcare seems to provide people with all types of benefits. One will admit that the advancements in medical care, pharmaceuticals, and technology have played a significant role in mitigating the effects of chronic diseases. You may even access Primary Care in Douglas, WY, for their aging parents. The options are endless. However, socioeconomic progress, including increased education, higher incomes, and improved working conditions, which are observed in developed countries, is not progressing at the same rate in developing nations. As a result, we are witnessing a substantial increase in chronic diseases among older individuals in developing countries.
The Challenges:
Healthcare in America is expensive; there is no doubt about this. Even when you have health insurance, you end up paying from your pocket. The older generation does not have that kind of money saved up to spend on their health. So, they often suffer chronic pain in silence. Furthermore, healthcare systems geared toward treating acute illnesses are ill-equipped to handle the complexities of chronic diseases and disabilities. This results in the unmet needs of older individuals dealing with multiple chronic conditions, elevating the risk of declining health and escalating healthcare utilization and expenses.
