Introduction
Various medical conditions continue to plague the world. Sadly, many suffer from such conditions during infancy or childhood without knowing about their real conditions until they reach young adulthood. Inpatient treatments are widely available throughout the country. The medical facilities that provide them have all the equipment and healthcare professionals needed to make sure that the care given is consistent and remains within the universally accepted protocols of medicine and health. However, even in advanced health settings, some patients still do not recover optimally. That is why extended care is strongly recommended (John Griffiths, 2005, p. 504). This may happen to children or the elderly. Yet there are cases wherein 18- to 26-year-old patients also find it difficult to recover solely with primary inpatient care.
Hospitals in the country are very much capable of providing resources for the diagnosis and treatment of most, if not all, known medical conditions but there simply is a group of conditions that do not fit these criteria and this is actually where extended care plans could be greatly used at. Care plans are individualized in such institutions so that every patient’s needs are well targeted and addressed. There are patients who recover well in the primary inpatient hospital setting but most do better or even fully recover in the extended care facilities. Many of these patients are young adults who, because of their medical conditions, require extra levels of care, especially if they suffer from long-term conditions or relapses (John G.Reiss, 2005, p. 117) (Joseph R. Carver, 2007, p. 3999). To make sure that the amount of care provided to patients who are 18-26 years of age is adequate, attending physicians should modify their care plans so that the provider of extended care could continue the consistent care given in the primary healthcare facilities.
Extended healthcare is applicable to young adults with psychological issues (Sherry L. Willis, et al., 2006, p. 2808). Additional care supports the medications and the therapies already performed in psychiatric hospitals. There are also conditions that may be brought about by premature birth such as respiratory anomalies (Elianne J. L. E. Vrijlandt, 2006, p. 893). Individuals who have been dignoased with such conditions can greatly benefit from extended care plans especially if therapeutic sessions are required to be performed on a long-term basis. Of course, young adults who suffer from cancer and autoimmune diseases may also need this kind of care (Anne E. Kazak, 2010, p.2006) (Maud M. Geenen, et al., 2007, p. 2711). Long-trem care for young adults cover many conditions. It will always be best for the patient to treat the medical issue and the underlying health problems in an extended health facility to ensure that optimal health improvements can be obtained.
This paper aims to review established literatures that pertain to extended or long-trem care provided to patients ages 18 to 26 years old. It also aims to discuss scientific documentations about the various conditions, treatments, and results for the said patients. Ultimately, the evaluator will be able to gain substantial information about the different progam goals and interventions elaborated in the collected information.
Review of Literature
The evaluator conducted a preliminary literature review on the benefits of extended or long-term care in young adults, ages 18 to 26 years old with various medical issues. The information gathered served as a strong block of knowledge needed to establish the critical importance of this type of care. Inpatient care is a basic mode of healthcare provided to all patients (Govan, 2009, p. 2402-2403). However, there are cases when an extended healthcare facility is required for the patient’s full recovery (C Engsta, 2010, p. 190). Young adult patients who have been diagnosed with chronic conditions such as cancer, respiratory difficulties, psychological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes need extended care facilities to take care of any secondary issues or long-term care needs to improve their overall health.
Benefits of Extended Care
Extended care given to 18- to 25-year-old patients with cancer, alcoholism, trauma, or other chronic medical and psychological conditions is very crucial. With this type of specialized long-term care, people within this age group can have a greater chance of regaining normalcy in their lives (Larry M. Gentilello, p. 230(4): 473). Extended care facilities are fully equipped to repair physical, psychological, and emotional damages that the target patients have. It is advantageous for them to be in the care of highly trained and knowledgeable individuals who never stop providing the top quality of healthcare that they need. When 18- to 26-year-old patients go through extended care, they get back the confidence that they need to face the real world once again. This type of long-term care also gives extra attention and follow-ups to ensure the overall health of the patients, so that once again, they may be able to function as a productive member of society.
When it comes to 18 to 26-year-old cancer patients, extended care helps them return to the usual activities that they enjoyed before the onset of their diagnosis or during their premorbid status. The realization of cancer is accepted and made part of daily life. For alcoholism issues, extended care provides alternative outlets for stress and anxiety. Consultants make sure that alcohol is not used anymore to relieve any negative feelings that the patient may have. Instead, it is channeled towards more positive activities such as sports or creative hobbies. The same positive help is given to those 18- to 26-year old patients suffering from trauma, with the goal of integrating them back into society once more.
Summary
The literature review presented delved into the necessity and, oftentimes, urgency of subjecting the patients in extended care facilities. The patients involved were young adults between 18 and 25 years of age. Various medical cases, supported by reputable medical and health journals were provided. This strongly supports the fact that certain medical conditions can be treated and helped through efficient extended care facilities that are fully equipped for the task. The conditions elaborated in the review are some of the common conditions that young adult patients acquire. Through the performed review, the substantial use of ECFs in the country is given more attention. This could help add more to the degree of help that these facilities could provide to young adult patients.
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