The population of elderly people is on the rise as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Already the population of elders is larger than it has been for quite some time and in addition to this, will swell in the years that are ahead of us as well. In fact, by the time that we reach the year of 2030, it’s anticipated that a full one fifth of the population will be firmly in their elderly years. In the year that follow later, this number is expected to climb even higher.
And elderly people have a specific set of needs, as most people are likely already aware of. As the body grows older, it becomes weaker and more frail. So too, in many cases, does the mind. In fact, there are up to 100 different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease alone accounting for more than 85% of all dementia cases diagnosed throughout the United States. Dementia can certainly make independent living impossible for the elderly person afflicted, but so too can simple old age and the frailty it causes. Unfortunately, a new elderly person is seen in an emergency room somewhere in the country for every 11 seconds that transpire, being treated for injuries that were sustained in some type of fall. In some cases, falls among the elderly population can even lead to death.
For many people, moving outside of the home is something that they are very much hesitant and resistant to. In fact, up to 90% of all current senior citizens are going to try and live in their home for as long as they are possibly able. As they grow older, family members often must care for them – but this is not the ideal solution for a number of reasons. For one thing, it seriously puts a strain on the people who are doing the care taking, as they are likely also trying to live out their lives relatively normally as well – or at least in some semblance of normalcy, as much as it is possible.
And family members, as loving and caring as they might be, as much as they might WANT to care for an aging and ailing family member who can no longer live alone, will often simply just not have the training to do so. Things like advanced memory care for dementia patients should be conducted, whenever possible, at the hands of a professional. There is no denying that this is something that will be hugely beneficial for both the patient and the loved ones involved, at least to some extent, in their care.
Fortunately, hospice services are becoming more and more accessible and readily available all throughout the country. Hospice services can provide the hospice resources that the average person likely would not have access to on their own. Hospice resources are hugely important for those who are in need of hospice care, as access to various hospice resources can help to improve not only safety, but also overall quality of life in quite an immense way. For many people, simply having access to hospice resources can really make a world of difference in how they live.
In many cases, hospice care with these hospice resources can be provided within the home. However, this will not hold true in every single situation. In some cases, a hospice care facility will need to be utilized, as such hospice care workers will be on call every single hour of the day, able to provide the most supervision possible. After all, the number of people in need of hospice resources and services is on the rise, with now very nearly one and a half million people in need of some level of hospice care. Back in the year of 2000, to put things into a more stark comparison, only around 500,000 or so people needed hospice care and hospice resources. In the years that are ahead, this number is set to grow quite exponentially.
All things considered, access to hospice care is quite hugely important for a growing portion of the population here in America.
