Geriatrics and Elder Care

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Geriatrics and Elder Care
Geriatrics is a specialty in internal medicine that focuses on the health and well-being, as well as preventative care, of the elderly.

As one gets older, adults become more vulnerable to different types of diseases due to the physiological deterioration, with the gradual weakening of muscles, bones and the immune system. The elderly also often experience complications from injuries, as mild illnesses and discomforts, such as fevers and constipation, can become significant health concerns. As frequently described by geriatric physicians, the elderly often experience the “four giants,” which include impaired memory, instability, incontinence and immobility.

Due to these specific needs of the elderly, many families decide to place loved ones in some form of elder care. Today, more than 42 million families in the United States provide caregiving to the elderly, while more than 60 million families have provided temporary care for the elderly.  Elder care can include assisted living, adult day care, nursing homes, hospice care and in-home care. As each of these elder care services cater to different needs, families should carefully consider their circumstances before making any decisions. Not all elder care services is covered by Medicaid, which may also impact the decisions families make on how to best take care of their loved ones.

Elder Care Options

The following is a broad overview of the different types of elder care options available to families:
• Assisted Living: Assisted living consists of housing facilities for the elderly, which provide assistance with daily activities, coordinate services with other health care providers and monitor all residential activities in order to support residents’ well being. Currently, the annual national median of costs is almost $40,000. Medicaid does not cover assisted living.
• Adult Day Care: Adult day care consists of non-residential day services for the elderly and disabled. They operate ten to twelve hours a day, offers meals and constant general supervision. Currently more than 4,600 adult day centers operate in the U.S., which provides care for about 150,000 elderly Americans.
• Nursing Homes: A nursing home is a type of residential care facility provided for the elderly and are geared towards individuals who need constant care and assistance with daily activities. Unlike assisted living, nursing homes can be reimbursed by Medicaid.
• Hospice: Hospice care is palliative, residential care provided for the terminally ill. Its underlying philosophy is to approach care with self-respect and tranquility, as hospices do not approach care only from a “medical” perspective. Hospices are usually more affordable than assisted living and hospital costs, ranging from $70 to $100 a day for care, with Medicaid partially covering costs.
• In-Home Care: In-home care is a caretaking service provided at a patient’s home. Services can include aiding the elderly with daily tasks such as bathing, preparing meals, recreational activities and eating. Currently, in-home care costs can vary per state, from $15 to $30 an hour.

Organizations

The following is a list of well-established nonprofit organizations whose work focuses primarily on geriatric and elder care research:
• Alliance for Aging Research: Founded in 1986, Alliance for Aging Research is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes medical research into human aging. The organizations’ members includes physicians, doctors, medical researchers and healthcare providers who specialize in geriatric care.
• American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP): AAGP is a national association representing members who serve in the field of geriatric psychiatry. The organization is dedicated to promoting the mental health and well being of older people and improving the care of those with late life mental disorders.
• American Geriatrics Society (AGS): The AGS is one of the largest professional organizations of health care providers. Its current 6,0000 members include geriatric physicians, policy makers, hospitals, research centers and healthcare providers.
• The Stanford Geriatric Education Center: Based out of Stanford University, the Geriatric Education Center provides information on geriatric and elder care. The website also provides information on the organization’s mission and history.

Additional Resources

For those who want to further research geriatric and elder care, the following is list of helpful links that provides readers with more information:
• Advanced Senior Solutions, Inc.: Advanced Senior Solutions is a geriatric care management group that offers seniors and families advice on available services that best meet their health, emotional and financial needs.
• American Society on Aging: American Society on Aging enhances the skills and knowledge of professionals working with older adults and their families.
• Elder Care Advisors: Elder Care Advisors offer services, advice and training to caregivers and children of elderly parents.
• Elder Care Link: This is a free referral service that helps caregivers and families find the right elder care options in their area.
• Elder Mistreatment: The National Academy of Sciences offers this draft report on elder mistreatment, abuse and neglect in the United States.
• ElderWeb.com: ElderWeb provides links and information to caregivers, providers and advisors of the elderly.