The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion

Healthcare Stressor: Aging Population and Chronic Disease Management

The United States is currently facing a major healthcare issues because of a persistently aging population. According to Canhao, Branco and Liotta (2018), the aging population and the rise of chronic diseases have significant implications for healthcare organizations in the country. The healthcare sector is likely to experience an increase in demand for healthcare services due to an aging population. Notably, chronic diseases, which are more prevalent among the elderly, require long-term care and management and these are predicted to rise in tandem with the aging population. Cho and Stout-Delgado (2020) stated that this increase in demand for healthcare has lead to resource strain, longer wait times, and overcrowding in healthcare facilities. Consequently, healthcare organizations are forced to make investments in new technologies, recruit more staff, and improve their facilities to meet the growing demand The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion.

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The direct impact that these changes have is a rise in costs of healthcare. Canhao, Branco and Liotta (2018) mentioned that chronic diseases are expensive to treat and manage, and an aging population means that the number of patients requiring long-term care and management will continue to increase. Importantly, this increase has placed massive pressure on healthcare organizations as they are forced to allocate resources and funding to support these patients’ needs. According to Canhao, Branco and Liotta (2018)The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion, chronic diseases for the aging population requires specialized care and this forces these organizations to invest in specialized equipment, personnel, and training. Similar to the other mentioned elements, the requirement for these specialized care is usually costly and requires these healthcare organizations to collaborate with other organizations to ensure that patients receive the care they need.

 Summary of Articles

Healthcare Access and Affordability

There is a strong positive correlation between an aging population and the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diseases of the lung increases. Focusing on lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma, Cho and & Stout-Delgado (2020) have stated in their article that these two related issues are major contributors to the demand for healthcare services. The researchers have keenly noted that this is rather unfortunate as many older adults struggle with accessing and affording healthcare in the country resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment, exacerbation of health conditions, and poor health outcomes. The authors have proposed that in order to address this issue, many organizations are working to improve healthcare access and affordability for older adults. For example, Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older adults, offers a range of benefits and services, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and prescription drug coverage. In addition, many community-based organizations provide health education and support services to help older adults manage their chronic conditions and navigate the healthcare system The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion.

Caregiver Support and Burnout

As the population ages, many older adults rely on family members or other informal caregivers for support. In their article, Chan et al. (2021) have observed that this presents a unique challenge as providing care is physically, emotionally, and financially demanding, and many caregivers experience burnout and stress. The researchers have proposed that in order to address this issue, many organizations are working to provide caregiver support and resources. For example, the National Alliance for Caregiving offers a range of educational materials, support groups, and online resources for caregivers. Furthermore, many local and state governments offer respite care programs that offer temporary relief for caregivers so they can take the much needed breaks and attend to their own health and well-being. Finally, some employers offer caregiver support programs, such as flexible work schedules or paid time off, to help employees balance their caregiving responsibilities with their work obligations The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion.

To address the organizational impact of the issue of aging population and chronic disease, strategies such as improving healthcare access and affordability, providing caregiver support and resources, and promoting preventive care and chronic disease management are being implemented (Chan et al., 2021). These strategies positively impact organizations by improving patient outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing patient satisfaction. However, they may also negatively impact organizations by increasing demand for healthcare services and creating financial challenges. For example, an organization may need to invest in additional resources to provide caregiver support, which could impact their financial bottom line.

 References

Cho, S. J., & Stout-Delgado, H. W. (2020). Aging and lung disease. Annual review of physiology, 82, 433-459. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12861

Chan, C. Y., Cheung, G., Martinez-Ruiz, A., Chau, P. Y., Wang, K., Yeoh, E. K., & Wong, E. L. (2021). Caregiving burnout of community-dwelling people with dementia in Hong Kong and New Zealand: a cross-sectional study. BMC geriatrics, 21, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02153-6

Canhao, H., Branco, J. C., & Liotta, G. (2018). Active Aging and Disease Management. Frontiers in medicine, 5, 278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2018.00278 The Issue Of Aging Population And Chronic Disease Discussion