What effects health care cost in the elderly?

Forum 8 – Healthcare in the Elderly
The number and proportion of older persons in the United States is rapidly increasing. Significant deficiencies are projected in the country’s capacity to deliver the medical, public health, and support services needed for the future frail and ill older population, and the nation is not investing sufficiently in keeping people healthy late in life. Valuable advances are needed in 4 vital directions central to the health and well-being of older persons, especially those at greatest risk owing to medical conditions or social disadvantage (Rowe, Fulmer, and Fried, 2016).
Decline in physical function is associated with older age. Healthcare utilization and expenditures related to physical functioning declines will likely increase as the proportion of the population of older adults rises.
Older adults are the main users of healthcare services and account for the majority of the healthcare costs. (Rockwood & Hubbard, 2004) As people age, they generally tend to develop more health problems, such as chronic diseases, physical and cognitive functional declines, and disabilities, and therefore, require various healthcare resources. In the US, Medicare spending per capita by age steadily increased from 65 years old (mean 5,562 USD) and almost tripled by the age of 96 (mean 15,732 USD). (The Rising Cost of Living Longer, 2015)
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Grace Chapman
What effects health care cost in the elderly?
The Elderly population represents 45.2% of the top 10% of health care utilizers, in terms of expenditures according to the article, which makes since because when you age you most likely experience more health issues which in turn cost more leading to higher expenditures. Middle-aged and elderly adults are particularly vulnerable to variability in healthcare use, including both over and underutilization of health care services which can then in turn lead to personal health harm and financial harm according to the article. I believe that this makes since because if many of these individuals are not seeking out health care when needed and prolonging their care, that can affect their health drastically and how much the care that they have to receive costs leading to financial harm. The sooner you catch a health care issue, the less it is going to cost to get treatment/help….in most cases, not all. The same thing goes for the over use of health care services, which is defined in the article as: “Overuse is often defined as services that are not supported by evidence, duplicative of other tests or procedures already received, potentially harmful, or not truly necessary.” Underuse is defined by the article as such: “underuse represents care that is not sufficient or appropriate in type, location, intensity, or timeliness to meet the patients’ medical needs.” Timeliness is something that we have already previously discussed in a prior discussion post, that is important in the care for patients and their health. The article also states that the elderly, more than any other population group, underutilize necessary preventive health services, which are known to improve their quality of care, which therefore leads to more financial costs when they decide to utilize these services, because they have prolonged their care in the first place. Over use and under use both have an effect on the financial aspect of health care for the elderly. Expenditure is due to the physical decline in these individuals. It is important that we keep people healthy late in life.
Where do the elderly get their health care?
The exact definition of elderly age group is 65 years and above. Many of these elderly individuals 65 and older get their health care from Medicare, because anyone 65 and older can obtain such, no matter their income. Not all of the elderly receive their health care from Medicare, some have their own insurance plans that they are covered by, and they may still be working and receiving coverage from their employer.
What is frailty and describe a symptom of frailty.
Frailty is the condition of being weak and delicate due to the increase in age, due to old age. Frailty is just related to the ageing process, just simply getting older, our bodies gradually lose their built-in reserves which leads to sudden changes in our bodies. A few of the symptoms of frailty include weight loss, muscle loss and weakness, fatigue, slow, low levels of activity, poor balance, and visual and cognitive impairment. According to the website article, “Frailty has been shown to be associated with various adverse health outcomes and the evidence on health care costs associated with frailty is scarce.” The article has also found that there is a significant association of frailty with higher health care costs.
Forum 8 – Alexia Burnett

What affects health care cost in the elderly?
Health care spending on the elderly is important due to the rising share of the population in this group and the fact that per capita health care spending for the elderly is substantially higher than for the population as a whole. Those in this age group are considered more vulnerable and require more health care services than their younger counterparts. Many individuals in this age group have chronic illnesses or diseases that have to be closely monitored by specialists. Costs for this age group are also higher than in past years because people are living longer than in the past. Costs are especially high for those requiring nursing homes.
Where do the elderly get their health care?
The elderly can receive health care from a variety of places depending on their situation. Many will simply go to their regular doctors or specialists as they always have. Some will seek treatment from Veteran’s Hospitals, Assisted Living Centers, In Home Serives, Nursing Homes, and/or Hospice. This care can be paid for through Medicare (which will only cover a portion) and the rest will be paid through private pay, Medicaid, private health insurance, or Medigap insurance.
What is frailty and describe a symptom of frailty.
Frailty is defined as an aging-related syndrome of physiological decline, characterized by marked vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. Frail older patients often present with an increased burden of symptoms, medical complexity, and reduced tolerance to medical and surgical interventions. People who are frail usually have symptoms including unintentional weight loss (10 or more pounds within the past year), muscle loss and weakness, a feeling of fatigue, slow walking speed and low levels of physical activity.

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