Diagnosis and treatment of geriatric patients involve a series of potential challenges for healthcare professionals. To increase the overall quality of care for the aging and improve the health assessment process, new methods are incorporated in the healthcare system. This paper briefly discusses the impact of community-based facilities on the elderly and the anticipated outcomes of the innovative ways of care in the future.
Deteriorating life conditions in the long-term care facilities encouraged geriatric patients with chronic diseases to seek alternative services. As followed by Sonnega, Robinson, and Levy (2017), community-based facilities provide elderly adults with an opportunity to receive medical assistance while remaining in their home communities. The growing demand for such type of care is supported by the evidence-based data, wherein the majority of the respondents report the overall better condition due to support from the significant others (Sonnega et al., 2017).
Breton et al. (2017) also claimed that the integrated health system leads to better satisfaction of patients with cognitive disorders for the lower healthcare costs and the absence of social isolation. The main effect of such type of care is the inclusion of the aging in the life of the community, followed by medical assistance.
Practical implications of the community-based facilities do not only include centers for individuals with severe health conditions but also refer to the places where geriatric patients can increase their awareness about wellness in the community. As specified by Siegler, Lama, Knight, Laureano, and Reid (2015), manifestations of community-based care are nutrition service programs, senior centers, lifelong learning programs, café programs for meals and healthcare education. The principal anticipated outcome of the aforementioned methods is a higher level of awareness among the aging regarding the prevalent geriatric illnesses and dieting. The main focus will be put on prevention and education rather than isolation of chronically ill patients and provision with long-term care.
References
Breton, M., Gray, C. S., Sheridan, N., Shaw, J., Parsons, J., Wankah, P., … Wodchis, W. P. (2017). Implementing community based primary healthcare for older adults with complex needs in Quebec, Ontario and New-Zealand: Describing nine cases. International Journal of Integrated Care, 17(2), 1-32. Web.
Siegler, E. L., Lama, S. D., Knight, M. G., Laureano, E., & Reid, C. (2015). Community-based supports and services for older adults: A primer for clinicians. Journal of Geriatrics, 2015, 1-6. Web.
Sonnega, A., Robinson, K., & Levy, H. (2017). Home and community-based service and other senior service use: Prevalence and characteristics in a national sample. Home Health Care Services Quarterly, 36(1), 16-28. Web.