In: Nursing
• Access to long-term care seems to be a problem for the elderly in general. However, it is even more difficult for minorities. Why do you think this is true?
Long term care is as a continum of medical and social services designed to support the need of people living with chronic health problems that affect their ability to perform everyday activity.
Long term care in elderly is a problem which has mainly two factors 1. Access 2. Provider performance
1. Access -. This is a major factors which comprises of three dimensions namely a. Accessibility b. Affordable c. Acceptable.
A. Accessibility - this factors mainly refers to the availability of the long term care centres or facilities when needed. Long term care centres such as nursing homes, hospice centre etc or facilities such as medical care at home, assisted living etc. Are often difficult for elderly people to approach or receive at the right time and right place.
B. Affordable - this dimension is rated to be the highest concern as the services provided may not meet their individual needs whereas in full filling the needs, the cost of services provided might increase. Moreover, the income restrains and non availability of medical insurance add to their woe.
3.acceptable - this dimension mainly involves meeting the individualized care for the elderly. It's often found difficult to meet individual needs and there's a mismatch between service provided and service received.
However, these are the factors hindering access to long term care. I agree that access to long term care in elderly and minority is a prevalent healthcare issue. Due to racial and ethinic disparities prevailing in society, it has been difficult for the minority groups to receive long term care.
In minority groups there are mainly three factors affecting the access to long term health care ie. 1. Family composition and household structure, 2. Income and insurance 3.health and functional status. Family composition in minority groups tend to be larger with greater contact with multi generational individual, varying income and less education as compared to a white American and varying health issues.
Due to all these factors, long term care is a problem for the elderly in general and more difficult for the minority groups