Identify the targeted population
In the modern time, the population within U.S is highly growing older and this has been causing different implications on different things including the health, economic together with social institutions. Therefore, this makes it imperative for the state to analyze the past population in order to estimate the future characteristics of its population. Such analysis is significant because it enables the country to implement policies relevant in making informed policies relating to different important sectors such as the health issues of the elderly population. Conversely, this paper highlights the effects of population demographics on the needs and services of the elderly population(Northridge, Nevitt, Kelsey & Link, 2005).
Data about the population demographics
In the recent years, the state has been experiencing distribution of the population amongst individuals aged 65 and above. According to recent research, the aging group has been increasing dramatically compared to other sector of the population and there is possibility that it will continue growing at a high rate throughout the twentieth century. Additionally, the research indicates that the aging population has been doubling in after every decade. It further indicates that a larger percentage of the aged people consist of women, thus implying that the health, social and economic problems that affect this population dominates those that affects women. Concurrently, basing on the population of elderly people in the modern society, it shows that the near future of the population will highly rely on total births taking place(Northridge, Nevitt, Kelsey & Link, 2005).
Remarkably, it is imperative to note that the most social characteristics that affect the elderly population include issues of marital status together with their living arrangements. This is because most researches have concluded that many elderly men are married while women are widowed. Consequently, this has ended up affecting housing needs among the population as well as the needed care. However, this further implies that for the elders residing with their family members and friends, they will be in need of social support and health services. Additionally, there is a difference in the level of education obtained by the younger population and the elderly one. The gap has been in existence since 1950s caused by the introduction of free, compulsory secondary education, and other educational opportunities. This implies that the near future population of the elderly will be composed of many educated individuals. Conversely, the income of the elderly population has been increasing with time thus reducing the level of poverty in the population. The major source of money for the elderly population include the social security benefits, income from their property, their earning as well as the private and public pensions. Additionally, labor participation of this population is very low in comparison to the remaining segment of the population and it is high due to voluntary early retirements.
Implication of the changes in demographics on health care
The changes in demographics among the aged population have some implications on the health care. This is because when individuals start to age, they increase their risks of developing different diseases such as heart attacks, diabetes and high blood pressure among others. Therefore, this implies that such segment of the population uses more medical care services and they also incurs high medical expenses. However, the health care sectors should know that the aging population is always in need of long-term care unlike other segments of the population. The aging people are heterogeneous because when they age they develop different characteristics, which vary amongst themselves. Interestingly, some factors in human system change when individuals age. These include things like blood glucose and blood pressure among others(Northridge, Nevitt, Kelsey & Link, 2005).
Identify two key health care challenges to the aging population
Most aging individuals encounter varying health care challenges. Some of these challenges include the fact that the aging individuals are always in need of acute and chronic care. Different researches have revealed that there is a lot of medical spending in the nursing home care for the elderly individuals. In addition, the aging population also faces the challenge of increased tendency in the shift of both the chronic and acute disease. These entails diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart complications, cancer, anemia, diabetes, osteoporosis as well as the diseases affecting joints and bones among others. Even though researchers have not concentrated on the major causes of many diseases among the elderly, it is likely to be because decrease in the immune function thus loosing physical agility(Thumé, Facchini, Wyshak& Campbell, 2011).
How chronic disease wellness program may affect the costs for aging population
The chronic disease wellness program is likely to affect the cost of the aging population in a negative way. This is because almost 99% of the aging population has either one or more complications of chronic diseases. Therefore, this implies the aging population will require implementation of many chronic disease wellness programs, which will require a lot of money. Additionally, the programs will require incorporation of applicable treatment methods, medicines, acute and chronic care among others(Thumé, Facchini, Wyshak& Campbell, 2011).
What the demographics tell about the marketing needs or services needed for the population
According to research conducted by a group of doctors in U.S, there is a huge difference between the working population and the non-working. Therefore, this implies that the dependency rate is extremely high making the aging population to put high pressure on the working population. This is because huge percentage of the aging population does not work their depending on the working population to support them. Additionally, the population is in need of many services because they are incapable of conducting many home chores, which means that they rely on the other segment of the population to perform for them. The population further expects more services from their families and friends because they are sick most of the time, thus being in need of care every now and then. Nevertheless, the aging population is also in need of medical services every time, thus increasing the expenses of those caring after them(Thumé, Facchini, Wyshak& Campbell, 2011).
How can individual patients, the community and society address the issue?
In addressing issue facing the aging population, it will call for every segment of the population to participate. For example, the community should ensure that it supports the participation of the aging population in different surveys in order to be in a position of identifying the differences between them hence implementing solutions for their problems. Medical institutions should work hard towards introducing diagnostic instruments for the elderly population so that they can have easy time while treating them. The aging individuals should be willing to collaborate with other members of the society to foster understanding between the two groups thus fostering care. Finally, the family members and friends should understand the challenges facing the aging population so that they can be willing to care for them at any given time(Thumé, Facchini, Wyshak& Campbell, 2011).
References
Northridge, M. E., Nevitt, M. C., Kelsey, J. L., & Link, B. (2005). Home hazards and falls in the elderly: The role of health and functional status.American Journal of Public Health, 85(4), 509-15. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/215107156?accountid=45049
Thumé, E., Facchini, L. A., PhD., Wyshak, G., & Campbell, P. (2011). The utilization of home care by the elderly in brazil's primary health care system.American Journal of Public Health, 101(5), 868-74. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/871497313?accountid=45049
