Tools to Support Seniors and Their Companions
Regardless of what one thinks of its quality or coverage, most would agree that the U.S. health-care industry is unique in the world. What is perhaps less obvious is that the industry is in the throes of a massive shift from ‘institution-centric’ to ‘person-centric’ care. In other words, bringing the treatment to the individual rather than the individual to the treatment center.
Institution-based health care received a big boost with the passage of the Hospital Survey and Construction Act – more commonly known as the Hill-Burton Act – of 1946. The objective of this act was to provide states an incentive (i.e., money) to nearly double capacity to 4.5 beds per 1,000 population. The money was to be distributed to states based on population and state income levels. By accepting the construction money a hospital agreed to provide free care to the needy.
This “bricks and mortar” approach was expanded in 1954 when the Act was extended to provide for construction of long term care facilities, rehabilitation facilities and outpatient departments. The free care requirement largely fell by the wayside with the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in the mid ’60s.
Still, demographics and health status have had a major influence recently on the health-care delivery system. As our population ages and lives longer, more people are coping with chronic diseases. And in parallel developments, America’s senior citizens are increasingly voicing their aversion to living out their days in an assisted living facility. Home care for seniors has thus become a viable area for technology development.
New devices ranging from electronic medical records to home-based monitoring systems to feed them are now emerging. Yes, there is still much to be done to establish standards and common languages for the various systems to work together. But the extent and sophistication of monitoring devices available now are making home health care for seniors a reality. The bricks and mortar are giving way to a virtual health system.
Japan has a more aged population than ours, so it stands to reason that many of these home-based developments have come from there. Indeed, a recent The Wall Street Journal article, “GE Chief Sees Japan as Fertile Field,” (June 3, 2010), quotes CEO Jeffrey Immelt as saying, “If I were to write a business plan for you, it would be to dominate health-care information technology and home health-care devices.”
“Mr. Immelt also said Japan has an opportunity to be a leader in creating smaller medical devices to enable treatment of chronic diseases in homes instead of hospitals.”
A seismic shift is starting to take place in our health care delivery system, completely separate from public policy.
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This is important information for everyone who has parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. They’re going to get older one day and the more prepared, the better off everyone will be. It’s not an easy subject to deal with but it is reality. Many thanks to you and best of luck on your project.
So glad you find it helpful! Thanks so much for visiting – check in when you can. All the best to you.
Awww – thank you very much! Best of luck to you and your endeavors!
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. Stay tuned for more important information regarding our seniors and caring for them. All the best to you!
I found your blog on bing. I think it’s pretty cool.
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