Elderly Care in the USA

Abstract

Nursing homes are extended care providing facilities for the elderly people. These facilities provide standardized care and quality of life to the residents in the USA. However, there are some reports of neglect and abuse of residents in nursing homes.

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Discussion4

Statistics4

Care in nursing homes4

Care plan4

Assistance and care5

Living arrangements in a nursing home6

The elderly people living by themselves6

Financial state life of elderly at the nursing home8

Costs8

Physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse9

Neglect or abandonment by caregivers9

Personal Hygiene Neglect10

Basic Needs Neglect10

Medical Neglect10

Emotional Neglect11

Eradicating Neglect11

Conclusion12

References13

Elderly Care in the USA

Introduction

A state licensed long term care facility offering board and room, and health care services round the clock, in addition to, basic and professional nursing care, treatment, programs and rehabilitation to people living in a nursing home (Rhonda, et al, 2004).

Discussion

Statistics

Around 5% of people of age 65 and older reside in nursing homes, assisted living, congregate care and other care facilities. Approximately 50% of 95 years old reside in nursing homes (Rhonda, et al, 2004). The figures of Americans of age 65 years or older are peaking dramatically, and on a broader spectrum, people are generally living longer and enjoying a prolific, active and healthy life in the later phases of their lives. Around 13% of US population consists of Americans of age 65 years or older, and within the timeframe of 25 years, this fraction will constitute about 20% of US population (http://www.apa.org).

Care in nursing homes

Nursing homes are care facilities and the existence of federal laws regarding the deliverance and provision of care, makes it mandatory for the staff members to ensure the regulation and practice of providing optimum care to the residents.

Care plan

The staff is required to carry out a thorough assessment including the nutritional state, mobility status, skin assessment, rehabilitation and medical needs, and activities of daily life, for first 15 days after the admission of resident. The assessment would also include the detection of dehydration and malnutrition. It is the staff's responsibility to detect the conditions during the assessment if the residents are unable to articulate the conditions themselves. Nursing homes are required to fulfill the emotional, physical, and social needs of elderly people residing in the nursing home (Rhonda, et al, 2004).

Normally, the physical conditions of elderly people deteriorate with age like loss of weight, interest in intake of food, taste and olfactory senses, resulting in malnutrition and ultimately leading to their susceptibility and vulnerability to diseases. Dehydration as a consequence to medications or the fear of uncontrolled urination is common in elderly people. Therefore, the nurses or other staff members in the nursing facility recognize early signs of these conditions and endow the residents with proper care to deal and prevent such issues. On the completion, of assessment, the professionals in nursing homes develop a care plan, which can be altered with the resident's condition.

Assistance and care

Since elderly people opt for nursing care because they need long term extended nursing care and are too ill or ...