Global aging is the most important issue related to the healthcare sector. By 2050 a sixth
of the world’s population will be over 65. The U.S. is currently transitioning from a society with
7% of people aged 65 years into a “superaged society” with 20% of the population 65 or older.
When coupled with advances in medical care that can treat acute illness and prolong life, an
untoward effect is that more older adults are living longer but with a chronic condition,
comorbidities, or disability. This creates several senior healthcare outcomes that must be
addressed and planned for as a surge in the number of older adults is predicted over the next 26
years.
The healthcare system needs preventative actions to eliminate the effect of a “superaged
society”. It needs to be changed. The following steps may support healthy aging:
-Preventing cognitive decline. Cognitive decline and dementia are a
primary reason for nursing home institutionalization. Cognitive well-being is a
fundamental determinant of positive and healthier aging. If an adult has no medical co-
morbidities, their healthcare is costliest and could last longer than peers..
-Accelerating time-to-baseline. In a study published recently in the
Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers reported that after hospital admission with a
stay in the ICU, older adults who were eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid “were far
more likely to develop changes in physical function and were significantly more
vulnerable to cognitive impairments than older adults not eligible for Medicaid.”.Senior
adults must recover their physical and cognitive function within the year after hospital or
ICU admission. Otherwise, the likelihood was high that they would experience loss of
independence, more nursing home stays, and higher healthcare costs..
