Elder Care - There Is No Place Like Home

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There Is No Place Like Home 1 Issue: In recent years, the United States has had a significant increase in its aging population. Clinical and technological advances have led to an increase in life expectancy. The health related challenges that often come with aging include falls, limited mobility, sensory impairment, isolation, and decreased mental status. Alzheimer’s often encompasses the health related challenges listed above. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2011 Alzheimer’s Diseases Facts and Figures, “Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the country and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that can not be prevented, cured or even slowed. An estimated 5.4 million people are living with the disease, and someone develops the disease every 69 seconds” (www.alz.org). The continuing rise of health care costs and the threat of public assistance being taken away are weekly, if not daily, stories present in the media. Elderly adults and their families are being faced with difficult decisions about how to determine the type of elder care needed, what types of care are available, and what type or types of elder care they can afford. In light of this, and the psychological and emotional benefits believed to be gained by allowing elderly persons to remain in their homes, many families are considering home care as a possible option for their loved ones. Over the past three decades, the idea of home has elicited an increased interest among scholars. There has been more progress made in identifying the personal meaning of home, rather than defining the concept. Meanings have been influenced by historical, social, and cultural factors as well as demographics. There Is No Place Like Home

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