Social Determinants of Health in Elderly Populations

Abstract

The paper takes into consideration a number of relevant researches to better understand the current condition of the health care system development which elevates several ethical concerns regarding the accessibility of health care to all the American population. Sufficient availability of health care has achieved the interest of the United States government, specialized institutions and health care sources alike. Socioeconomic conditions, social isolation and exclusion, and lack of social participation and engagement all have been linked in numerous longitudinal studies to poorer health, worse physical and cognitive functioning, and higher mortality risk. Although not part of the original Medicare legislation, the Medicaid program grew to be a core component of the American healthcare system. Medicaid funded more than one-third of all births in the United States and approximately half of all nursing home care. Additionally, it is to be noted that the federal Medicaid program is the largest single payer in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and therapy for serious mental illness. Finally some interventions are discussed which can be implemented practically in a local, national and global setting.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction4

The Significance of Elderly Care5

Local and National level: Social Determinants Influencing Elderly Care5

Unsubsidized Income5

Standards and Implications for Elderly Care6

Medicaid Standards Implied on Elderly Care7

Minority Implications in Elderly Care8

Global Level: Elderly care9

Depression in Elderly Patients9

Depression in Primary Care10

Depression in Caregivers10

The Risk of Suicide11

Disruptive Behavior among Elderly Patients11

Contemporary Interventions Identified in Elderly Care13

Psycho-social Interventions for Elderly Care14

Psychosocial Support in Elderly Care15

Emotional Support in Elderly Care16

Financial Support in Elderly Care16

Medical Intervention17

Interpersonal Intervention17

Conclusions19

References20

Social Determinants of Health in Elderly Populations

Introduction

The current condition of the health care system development elevates several ethical concerns regarding the accessibility of health care to all the American population. Sufficient availability of health care has achieved the interest of the United States government, specialized institutions and health care sources alike. The American Nurses' Association (ANA) recommends for transformation assuring that all the American individuals will have accessibility to excellent health care system. Several specialized health care institutions believe that at present accessibility to health care is a principle concern, specially for the senior citizens (age 65 and above). Observational studies of aging indicate that there are a number of social conditions that impact health outcomes in older men and women from functioning to morbidity to mortality.

Socioeconomic conditions, social isolation and exclusion, and lack of social participation and engagement all have been linked in numerous longitudinal studies to poorer health, worse physical and cognitive functioning, and higher mortality risk. There are, however, many fewer studies showing that one can successfully intervene in these social processes to improve health and well being at older ages. There are fears that the American senior citizens may face hardships regarding the lack of accessibility of health care which are caused by the slumping reimbursement rates of the U.S. Medicare together with previously little reimbursements of the U.S. Medicaid. Several health care institutions are restricting the total of patients supported by the Medicare plan or do not provide these services at ...