There is power in numbers! Consider the rapidly changing number of older adults in the United States and project ahead several years. The resulting changes in numbers is astronomical! For instance, by 2030 there will be over 74 million ‘Baby Boomers’ alive, well and retired living in the U.S. The fastest growing age demographic will be in the 85+ year old population growing from 5.7 million people in 2010 to over 19 million people in 2050!
In a recent survey, older adults were asked about the likelihood of them seeking to reside in a ‘senior retirement community’ after retirement. The survey results?
90% indicated that they plan on continuing to live in their same home, apartment, or condo after retirement. 10% planned to move to a retirement community of some sort. So . . . how will some of the obvious needs of older adults be met in the future? In their homes!
The older adult health care providers of the nation are rapidly changing their missions and business plans, adjusting to this reality. Instead of being an exclusive ‘institution’ based provider, many health care organizations are changing or adding services which bring health care and supportive care directly into the private homes of older adults! Again . . . “There is power in numbers!’
Health care providers are learning the vulnerability of their past strategy of observing and predicting the needs of older adults. Quality health care providers today have begun an ‘active listening’ strategy and going directly to the older adult to find what they actually demand for quality health care. The answer . . . “Bring it home!”
In light of this trend, a whole new world of options for older adults, in terms of home care is rapidly unfolding:
One concern for older adults is how to get home quickly as possible after a hospital stay (surgery)? It this possible? YES through sub-acute therapy care. Nursing homes, under Medicare, have focused not so much on getting older adults into the nursing home, but rather on how to get older adults out of the nursing home and back into their private homes which older adults prefer. Extensive rehabilitation programs are now available in a short term institutional setting. Average length of stay in a sub-acute setting is about 28 days!
What about rehabilitation (physical, occupational and speech therapy) being brought into the private home? YES this is available through ‘Home Health’ Agencies providing medical care! They also aid with bathing, medication monitoring, and basic minor medical procedures.
What about supportive assistance and/or ‘chore’ services being available in the private home? YES through Home Health Agencies help with basic care and chore services are available and may include assistance with shopping and housekeeping.
What about meeting the needs of older adults at their ‘end-of-life’ stage? YES there is a growing demand for hospice care providing medications, monitoring, pain management, and even spiritual direction to one facing death. In home hospice care is covered by Medicare and its a wonderful service and a service growing rapidly in demand.
What ‘new’ services might older adults be receiving in their homes? Many care provider organizations are considering programs known in the industry as “CCRC’s without Walls” [Continuing Care Retirement Community]. What does that mean? It means, in essence, being able to receive, at home, most all the benefits of living in a retirement community without actually living in a retirement community! For a relatively modest fee, the older adult living in their own home can receive services such as: Meals delivered, lawn care, snow removal, delivered groceries, house repairs, transportation, assist with finances and taxes, computer advice and repair, and even be a part of the sponsoring organizations activities, clubs and trips!
Cedar Community is one of the Top 100 not-for-profit Senior Care Retirement Community complexes in the United States. We get it! We will serve older adults in retirement communities and in their homes! Its what older adults want!