The Elderly and Health

Persuasive Essay # 105151

Aging > Gerontology
Medical and Health
Sociology > Theory

This paper discusses access to health care for the older adult.

1,124 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that access to health care has been listed as one of the leading health indicators in the United States for numerous reasons. Yet, in relation to the aging population of the country, access to care is a primary concern because there are multiple factors that are affecting it at the current time. The writer points out that the nursing shortage that is now challenging health care systems to alter their practices has created a situation in which health care facilities do not have a sufficiently trained staff to meet the demands of the public. When the health care needs of baby boomers are considered with specialized care, the number of trained nurses is even smaller, as is the number of trained physicians in the field of geriatrics. The writer maintains that the only manner of addressing this issue is to develop programs that will entice medical professionals into the field and create working conditions that will prompt nurses to remain in the health care system.

Outline:
Nursing and Physician Shortage
Rising Cost of Health Care
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"However, this legislation only demands that the patient be treated until he or she is stable and then may be released without further care. Nevertheless, when it is geriatric related care that is required for the elderly individual, emergency room care is not available and the patient cannot be treated sufficiently.
"Furthermore, while most elderly will sign up for Medicare in the country, Medicare is not a blanket insurance policy that will cover all health care conditions or treatments that are recommended by physicians. This leaves millions of baby boomers in the position of attempting to suffer through age related illness and disease without health care assistance because their access to care is significantly decreased due to lack of coverage. When it is further considered that a large portion of baby boomers will be living off of nothing but their social security payments on a monthly basis, the ability of this generation to afford specialized healthcare services negatively impacts their access to care."

Sample of Sources Used:

Beverly, S. (1995). Material hardship in the United States: Evidence from the survey of income and program participation. Social Work Research. 25(3): 143-155.
Boomers turn gray, health care experiences aches and pains. (2005). Business to Business. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from http://www.super-solutions.com/BabyBoomersTurnGray.asp
Krall, L., and Prus, M. (1995). Institutional changes in hospital nursing. Journal of Economic Issues. 29(1): 67-85.
Ulrich, C. (2002). When you're 65: Medicare managed care. Human Ecology. 30(3): 13-21.
What are the leading health indicators? (n.d.). Health People 2010. Retrieved August 18, 2007, from http://www.healthypeople.gov/LHI/lhiwhat.htm