The “Age” of Healthcare has an uncertain future.
The old adage of “things will get worse before they get better” seems more and more to be the mantra of healthcare today. The troubles affecting today’s healthcare system are numerous and highly complex to the point that they must be hampering strategic planning. Several large issues are on the horizon for healthcare that if not addressed in the foreseeable future could spell out devastating problems.
Certainly one of the top ten issues for most healthcare facilities must be the huge impact that the baby-boomer population will have on healthcare. Known as the “Silver Tsunami” the rapidly aging of the nation’s population will bring demands for healthcare services that in my estimation, today’s healthcare system is unprepared to deal with.
USA Today outlines some concerning statistics regarding projections for Alzheimer’s disease that will hit the nation by the year 2010. Almost 20% of all boomers are expected to suffer from Alzheimer’s, some 14 million people.
The costs associated with the disease are staggering. Not only the financial cost but the emotional costs that families and friends of Alzheimer’s patients endure are horribly impressive.
The impact of Alzheimer’s alone to hospitals is significant. Depending on the degree of dementia a patient has dictates the amount of resources needed to provide a safe environment for these patients. Many times these patients are seen strapped into chairs in the hallways of hospitals so that staff can keep an eye on them. Some even require a hospital employee to be with them around the clock to make sure they don’t climb out of bed and fall, or pull out their intravenous (IV) lines.
Many patients with Alzheimer’s are so confused that they become combative and are a danger to hospital staff members, patients, and even their own family members. The “Silver Tsunami” phenomenon poses a definite threat to healthcare organizations. There must be plans incorporated into every hospital’s long and short term strategic development to deal with the demands that will be placed on healthcare as the population comes of age. The future of patient safety is at risk.
About the Author
Mike Pringle is the author of Healthcare Today where he offers commentary and insight regarding today’s healthcare issues. Additionally he provides regular commentary for Red Scrubs and editorial content for Future Healthcare. He has over 20 years of nursing experience working both domestically and internationally. Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a Healthcare emphasis. He specializes in both Emergency and Critical Care Nursing. He currently works at Falmouth Hospital as a Shift Manager for the emergency department.
