A majority of older adults and caregivers mistakenly believe that sharp declines in quality of life are unavoidable, according to a survey from WebMD and The John A. Hartford Foundation.
The survey, which included data gathered from 2,700 patients and caregivers age 65 and older, found that most seniors think that depression, dementia and lack of mobility can’t be helped. And 3 in 4 older adults surveyed were not aware that they have the right to ask for and receive healthcare tailored especially to their needs and wants.
“We, as a society, have come to accept the downsides of aging — including the impact of multiple, conflicting medications, cognitive decline, depression and mobility issues — rather than asking for care that helps us benefit from the positive aspects of our later years,” said Terry Fulmer, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, president of the foundation.
To combat this line of thinking, the foundation is encouraging providers to prioritize four components of eldercare: determining the priorities of individual patients, mobility, medication stewardship, and detection and treatment of conditions such as depression and dementia.
From the December 2019 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
