In a post-pandemic era where hospitals already feel the strain of staffing and other issues, how are they dealing with challenges that come from a growing aging population? This is a topic that doesn’t go unnoticed and is demanding the attention of hospitals daily.
The aging population is ever increasing in the United States and this trend is still looking up. An estimated twenty percent of Americans will be sixty-five or older by 2030. With this significant number of older individuals comes more and more need to ensure proper healthcare and procedures for this generation. Individuals falling in this age range have a wide variety of medical needs. Stereotypes of older adults often portray frail and dependent individuals. However, a grand part of this cohort is completely independent, healthy, and self-sufficient. Regardless of an individual’s condition at this point in life, more regular health checkups and needs arise, creating a larger dependency on hospitals and medical centers among this age group.
Technological advances and strides in the medical field have provided an outlet of extraordinary care for this group. However, the need for staff, empowerment, and ensuring engagement in health care knowledge among these older adults is apparent. Here are some factors hospitals and medical centers will need to consider in order to best serve this generation…
Prepared and Full Workforce
Creative education and training approaches surrounding geriatrics for all healthcare professionals, not just those preparing to work in geriatric care, should be a priority in the field of medical schools and training centers. Conditions such as dementia, falls, and mental health are just a few examples of what should be included in models of care for the aging population. The “4Ms” framework (what matters, mentation, medication, and mobility) is one approach that has been proven to result in improved care across the board. Frameworks and approaches such as these can be used in education and training for all healthcare professionals to improve the care and the health experience for providers and patients alike. A continued eye for innovation in designing training programs and education is essential when anticipating care for an aging generation.
Approaches to Care Delivery
The growth of telehealth, virtual healthcare services, and technology has created incredible strides in new care delivery approaches. Given that an individual in the aging population has access to these technologies, it can dramatically increase the frequency and quality of care received. Telehealth makes keeping regular check-in and consultation appointments far more convenient for providers and patients alike. The logistical factors of transportation and clinic space are taken out of the equation with the use of virtual visits. The continued increase of technology use in care delivery will help anticipate the needs and address challenges in best serving and caring for the aging population.
Of course, the benefits coming from virtual care services are only helpful when older adults have the access and technological knowledge required. Since this must be taken into consideration, hospitals and care centers should anticipate the fact that these adults may not always have access to technology or knowledge to operate the programs and applications being used. Therefore, education and accessibility to these technologies is an important factor when it comes to caring for this specific population.
Resources for Long Term Services and End of Life Care
Serious illnesses do arise and disproportionately affect older adults. While an unfortunate and undesirable thought to have, the planning of these illnesses is imperative when anticipating care for the aging population. Going back to a prepared workforce, caregivers should be trained in communication and symptom management surrounding these illnesses and end-of-life care. Designing facilities and staff training specifically in this concentration is one way hospitals can meet these challenges head-on.
Proper Transportation Programs
NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation) is an essential factor when it comes to caring for older adults. Those who may not be able to drive or need transport assistance to appointments rely on NEMT to access the care that they require. Medi-Ops provides NEMT services with efficiency and professionalism. These services range from wheelchair, ambulatory, stretcher, or even rideshare transport. Whether it’s office visits or hospital discharges, proper and safe transportation for individuals is an essential component of care. When medical service centers and hospitals have a variety of transportation options and partners, they are better able to serve the medical and financial needs of patients.
Clearly, many of these issues and needs could be taken to a higher level in policy and government aid, however, there is plenty that hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical partners can be doing and looking towards when it comes to taking care of the aging population. Preparation and anticipation of needs are key in this case, and there are very possible ways to better care for and protect this valuable population of individuals.