Though life expectancies around the world are increasing for the most part, many older adults are encumbered with physical and cognitive limitations that can substantially impair their quality of life over time, requiring increased caregiver support at home or a transition to a senior living community. Previously on this blog, we've cited recent studies indicating that older adults may actually be enjoying better health later in life than previous generations, but a recent piece in the scholarly journal Health Affairs still cites a need for greater investment in the aging process.
"With even modest gains in our scientific understanding of how to slow the aging process, an additional 5 percent of adults over the age of 65 would be healthy rather than disabled every year from 2030 to 2060," a press release from the University of Southern California (USC) states.
Leading researchers from USC, the University of Illinois-Chicago, Harvard University and Columbia University collaborated on the report, which indicates that a shift in focus to slowing down the physical and mental decline that often occurs as we age may be more beneficial than the current approach to medical eldercare. As it stands, physicians primarily target different diseases that are known to impair quality of life, such as heart disease or Alzheimer's disease.
What does this mean for care managers?
Taking a preventative stance that casts each individual in a more holistic light could be a boon on both an economic and social level, helping Americans live longer and healthier lives while ultimately easing the demands placed on government entities, care managers and other professionals invested in the older adult community. This could well translate into a growing need for eldercare services that cater to the gray-area population of older adults who don't require constant care, but could still benefit from the additional support and peace of mind that services like remote monitoring can provide.
The majority of older adults today prefer to age in place, and that trend will likely hold if future generations don't experience the same degree of physical and mental decline that can make independent living impractical and even dangerous. At Independa, we are devoted to promoting quality of life among the older adult population. Our Angela interface enables these individuals to remain connected to their loved ones via video chat, email and more, whether they are aging in place or residing in a senior living community. In addition, the Caregiver Web Application is equipped with remote monitoring capabilities, medical reminders and more to provide much-needed caregiver support for the men and women who devote themselves to eldercare.
Contact us today through our online form today to learn how Independa to enhance your current services.
