Caring for an Aging Population in a Post-Pandemic World: Emerging Trends in the U.S. Older Adult Care Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Kong ◽  
Kejia Hu ◽  
Matthew Walsman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adult ◽  
Digital Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Communication Tools ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
The U.S

This paper examines older adult care services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Specifically, it investigates emerging developments initiated or augmented by the pandemic and discusses their permanency in a postpandemic world. Primary survey data are collected from both older adult care-providing organizations (supply) and individuals receiving or considering care (demand) in the United States. Qualitative support from various sources supplements the surveys. The results indicate a movement toward deinstitutional care options, which began prepandemic but intensified during the outbreak. Care organizations confirm this development, reporting more occupancy-related concerns. Findings also suggest that telehealth and digital communication tools have substantially expanded. Benefits, issues, and future projections of these trends are discussed, and some suggestions for industry reform are proposed. These results illuminate many actionable ideas for various stakeholders, including older adults, industry practitioners, and policymakers.

scholarly journals Planetarium commute accessibility in the United States of America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander A. Kaurov ◽  
Vyacheslav Bazhenov ◽  
Mark SubbaRao
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Commute Time ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Zip Code ◽  
The U.S

The COVID-19 global pandemic unprecedently disturbed the education system in the United States and lead to the closure of all planetariums that were providing immersive science communication. This situation motivates us to examine how accessible the planetarium facilities were before the pandemic. We investigate the most important socioeconomic and geographical factors that affect the planetarium accessibility using the U.S. Census Bureau data and the commute time to the nearest planetarium for each ZIP Code Tabulated Area. We show the magnitude of the effect of permanent closure of a fraction of planetariums. Our study can be informative for strategizing the pandemic response.

The Costs of Mergers and Acquisitions in the U.S. Health Care Sector

1997 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Bond ◽  
Robert Weissman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mergers And Acquisitions ◽  
Health Care Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Industry Concentration ◽  
Care Industry ◽  
Consumer Concerns ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industries ◽  
Pricing Power ◽  
The U.S

Important trends are emerging from evidence of health care industry concentration in the United States. Some of these are the durable consumer concerns—cost, choice, and access—which have received attention throughout the introduction of managed care. But with the intensified industry concentration, these have been joined by concerns about pricing power, control and quality, integrity of the health system and health policy-making, and clashing institutional mandates. Such trends are particularly evident in the hospital and pharmaceutical industries.

The United States’ Response to COVID-19: Learning through Reflection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nouraldeen Ibrahim ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Government ◽  
Humanitarian Crisis ◽  
Death Toll ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
States Government ◽  
The U.S

When analyzing the global humanitarian crisis known as the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes the disease COVID-19), it is important to analyze the response of the United States so it is possible to learn from any mistakes. Since a global pandemic was completely unprecedented to the United States government, it did not have a concrete plan or solution prepared to deal with the outbreak. COVID-19 exposed the flaws in the United State's ability to deal with pandemics which, consequently, has now led to the U.S. to have the highest death toll in the world.

scholarly journals Does caring for your spouse harm one's health? Evidence from a United States nationally-representative sample of older adults

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
KRISTI RAHRIG JENKINS ◽  
MOHAMMED U. KABETO ◽  
KENNETH M. LANGA
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
The United States ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between spousal care-giving and declines in functioning and self-rated health among older care-givers. The authors used data from the 2000 and 2002 waves of the United States Health and Retirement Study, a biennial longitudinal survey of a nationally representative cohort of adults aged 50 or more years. Two outcomes were examined, declines in functioning and declines in self-rated health. Care-givers were classified into three groups: no care-giving, less than 14 hours of care-giving per week, and 14 or more hours care-giving per week. To assess declines in functioning, two summary scores were created of limitations in basic and instrumental Activities of Daily Living. To assess declines in self-rated health, we compared responses from 2000 and 2002. In the fully adjusted models, care-giving hours did not have an independent effect on declines in functioning or self-rated health. The relationship between care-giving hours and declines in functioning and self-rated health is probably attributable to socio-demographic characteristics, mainly age. The findings suggest that spousal care-giving does not of itself harm functional health or perceived health among older adult care-givers. Understanding the differential effects of these socio-economic characteristics with care-giving hours on health will be useful in promoting the health of older adult care-givers and treating their disorders.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Demand for Older Adult Care Services and Related Influencing Factors among Older Adults Living Alone in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanbing Zeng ◽  
Chenxi Lin ◽  
Ya Fang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Income Source ◽  
Care Services

Abstract Background: The number of older adults living alone in China is rising sharply and their care needs have become an increasing public health concern. This study aimed to explore the anticipated living arrangements and demand for home and community-based care services (HCBS) of older adults living alone and examine the related influencing factors.Methods: The data of 2217 participants living alone were extracted from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Survey (CLHLS). A chi-square test was used to examine the differences in older adult care services between respondents with different characteristics. Using the Andersen model as the analysis framework, multinomial and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors of anticipated living arrangements and HCBS, respectively. Results: 75.4% of the respondents hoped to maintain living alone when considering the future. Those who were older, had more children, income source was family members, always felt lonely and isolated and had limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) were inclined to choose the arrangement of “co-residence with children”. Childless and loneliness had significant impact on older adults’ willingness to live in institution. There were significant differences between urban and rural areas for provision of HCBS and the demand exceeds supply in all service types. Those who were younger, lived in urban areas, farmers, income source was family members, had poor economic status, had access to social services, with higher sense of loneliness and chronic diseases tend to show anticipated demands for various HCBS.Conclusions: The demand for older adult care services were affected by predisposing, enabling and need variables. There is a need for an overall improvement of the community care system to create a supportive environment for older adults living alone.

scholarly journals Social Isolation and COVID-19 Mitigation: Perspectives of Key Informants in the United States and Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 441-441
Author(s):  
Emily Ihara ◽  
Megumi Inoue ◽  
Cortney Hughes Rinker ◽  
Naoru Koizumi
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
The Many

Abstract The deleterious health effects of social isolation and loneliness among older adults have been well-established and were exacerbated by the forced separation for those at health risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Both the United States and Japan are experiencing phenomenal growth of the older adult population; Japan is considered a “super-aged” society, with the highest proportion of people aged 65 and older in the world. This study examined how COVID-19 and mitigation measures may have affected services for older adults. We conducted key informant interviews with specialists in aging and older adult care in both Japan (n=5) and the United States (n=14). All interviews were conducted over Zoom and lasted 30-60 minutes. The research team transcribed and checked the interviews for accuracy and conducted multiple coding sessions to identify, sort, and consolidate the codes using Atlas.ti. Key themes in both countries that emerged included the many cracks in the system of programs and services for older adults, the inaccessibility to technology and the internet, and the particular difficulties of socioeconomic inequities, especially for those living alone. Older adults were motivated to become more technologically proficient and local communities came forward to help provide support. One key informant from the U.S. noted that their organization experienced a 600% increase in interest among volunteers as a result of the pandemic. Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, many silver linings emerged. One participant poetically stated, “I think that's human nature – when you have no other choice, you find a way.”

Demand for Audiology Services: 30-Yr Projections and Impact on Academic Programs

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 407-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Windmill ◽  
Barry A. Freeman
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Attrition Rate ◽  
Physician Supply ◽  
Care Services ◽  
The Future ◽  
Supply Model ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The U.S

Background: Significant growth in the U.S. population over the next 30 yr will likely increase the demand for hearing-care services. In addition, increased accessibility to hearing-care services may be realized due to increased insurance coverage associated with health-care reform efforts. In order to meet this demand, the supply of audiologists will have to keep pace. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has developed a Physician Supply Model to predict the necessary number of physicians needed in the future to meet demand. This model is adopted for predicting whether the supply of audiologists will be adequate over the next 30 yr. Purpose: To apply the Physician Supply Model to the audiology profession and then determine if the predicted supply of audiologists will meet the demand for audiologists over the next 30 yr. Data Collection and Analysis: The Physician Supply Model was modified to account for variables unique to the profession of audiology, and the future supply of audiologists is predicted. The predicted demand for audiology was developed based on changes in population demographics over the next 30 yr. The results of the demand calculations and the supply calculations were compared. Results: The current growth rate for audiologists was determined by examining the difference between the number of graduates entering the field and the number leaving. One of the unexpected variables is that the past attrition of graduates, that is, the number of persons who voluntarily leave audiology at some point after graduation, is approximately 40%. The attrition rate combined with the retirement rate results in more persons exiting the profession than entering. Lowering the attrition rate to 20% will result in a positive growth rate. However, even with an attrition rate of 0%, the supply of audiologists will not meet demand. Conclusions: To meet demand, the number of persons entering the field will have to increase by 50% beginning immediately. In addition, the attrition rate will have to be lowered to 20%. Any combination of increased graduation rate and lowered attrition will improve the opportunities to meet demand. Additional strategies could include increasing the capacity of current practitioners or allowing internationally trained audiologists to practice in the United States.

scholarly journals Rural America’s Hospitals are Not Prepared to Protect Older Adults From a Surge in COVID-19 Cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 233372142093616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie M. Davoodi ◽  
Margaret Healy ◽  
Elizabeth M. Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
The United States ◽  
Rural America ◽  
Health News ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
The U.S

Rural communities with predominantly older adult populations could be especially vulnerable to poor outcomes from COVID-19 due to lacking intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. Our objective is to describe the scope of the problem by summarizing population totals of older adults in rural America and their community’s ICU bed availability. We performed a review of peer-reviewed literature, in addition to hand searching non–peer-reviewed and governmental/non-governmental agency reports, using the Kaiser Health News data report to assess the number of ICU beds in 10 predominantly rural states with the highest older adult populations. We found that while 19% of the U.S. population lives in rural counties, these counties contain only 1% of the ICU beds in the United States. Counties particularly at risk for inadequate ICU capacity include Crittenden, Arkansas; Cass, Minnesota; and Sagadahoc, Maine. Solutions include building new delivery systems, reopening previously closed rural hospitals, and calling on local businesses to create medical supplies. In summary, the 10 million older adults in rural communities in the United States may face challenges with obtaining critical care treatment due to the increased need of ICU beds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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