All articles tagged with #senior care
Kevin Tang, a 13-year-old from Southern California, invented FallGuard, a non-wearable fall detection system using cameras and AI algorithms to help keep seniors safe, winning $25,000 and the title of 'America's Top Young Scientist.' His device aims to be affordable and effective, inspired by personal family experiences with falls, and is already in use by his family and others, with plans to expand.
Older adults like 75-year-old Jill Smola are turning to AI-powered chatbots such as ElliQ for companionship, especially as they face loneliness and limited human interaction. While these chatbots provide meaningful connection and entertainment, experts caution about potential risks of increased isolation if not used responsibly.
Navigating the US healthcare system can be overwhelming for seniors, with complex treatment plans, multiple specialists, and logistical challenges. A study shows that Medicare patients spend about three weeks a year on medical care, and some spend at least 50 days a year. The "treatment burden" includes arranging appointments, transportation, medications, and following recommendations. Experts recommend being candid with doctors about feasibility, prioritizing interventions, and seeking help from social workers or patient navigators to minimize the burden of medical care.
The shortage of geriatricians in the United States is leaving many older patients without specialized care, leading to misdiagnoses and overprescribing of medications. With only 7,300 board-certified geriatricians in the country, experts are calling for increased financial incentives and exposure to the field to attract more doctors. Medicare funding for residencies and fellowships could require basic competency in geriatrics, and student loan forgiveness programs for geriatric specialists are being suggested. The growing number of older patients highlights the urgent need for more doctors who are trained to understand the unique healthcare needs of seniors.
CenterWell Senior Primary Care, a part of Humana’s Primary Care Organization, is planning to open new senior care centers in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas later this year, as part of an ambitious growth plan to open between 30 and 50 new facilities through 2025. The new facilities are expected to open in late spring or early summer and are part of a growing market for senior care in the region, with Ochsner also recently opening a senior care clinic in Bocage.
A senior living facility in Scotland held a "baby shower" using dolls for its patients with dementia. The positive effects of doll therapy, such as reducing stress and agitation, have been observed in patients with dementia. The care facility received 60 baby dolls from Pearl's Memory Babies, becoming the first in Europe to participate in a trial exploring this therapy. The dolls provide comfort and a sense of purpose for the residents, enriching their lives and potentially sparking memories of their own childhood. With the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease expected to grow, doll therapy offers a promising approach to improve the emotional well-being of dementia patients.
The cost of long-term care for seniors is becoming increasingly unaffordable for middle-income Americans, leaving millions of baby boomers with limited options. Assisted-living facilities, the fastest-growing category of elderly care, provide an independent, homelike environment for seniors who need some help with day-to-day functions, but it starts at $60,000 a year on average, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) — and costs go up as residents age and need more care. Long-term care costs represent “the single largest financial risk” facing seniors and their families, according to a 2020 report.