Social Justice and the Elderly One of the Last Discrimination Battles to be Fought!

Ageism in US Culture Botox and Viagra sales tripled over past 5 years Micro-print on Insulin Syringes & prescription bottles and information Most common concern of elders – cognitive loss Two most common responses by HCPs, family members, and social networks…. Productivity is #1 value on the job

Elders are the Primary Consumers of Health Care Resources Elders are 12% of the population BUT they account for – 26% of all office visits – 35% of all hospital stays – 34% of all prescriptions – 38% of all emergency response calls – 90% of all LTC stays The % of elders will go from 12% to 20% in the next 15 years

Number of Elders Using Medicare is on the Rise 2000 – 35% used Medicare as primary 2010 – 51% used Medicare as primary

The Number of MD Taking New Medicare Patients is RAPIDLY 2008 – 73% MDs took Medicare 2009 – 50% MDs took Medicare 2011 – 35% MDs are taking new Medicare 2011 – MDs are opting out of Medicare because of the proposed 20% cut possibility % worse for primary care MDs In NY even the president of the medical association is not taking new Medicare clients

Specialized Training in Geriatrics is NOT # of PC-MDs rapidly! # of Geriatrics specialists – Now only 7000 in the US – Down 20% from 2000 # Geropsychiatrists – Now 1 geriatric psychiatrist for 11,000 – 2030 it will be 1:22,000 <1% Health care professionals receive specialized geriatric training

Drug Research is Primarily Conducted on Younger Adults There are known changes in body chemistry with aging There are known drug/drug interactions with increasing age There is increased toxicity risks with increasing age There are dosage problems with many meds with increasing age

Drugs that can affect cognition Anti-arrhythmic agents Antibiotics Antihistamines - decongestants Tricyclic antidepressants Anti-hypertensives Anti-cholinergic agents Anti-convulsants Anti-emetics Histamine receptor blockers Immunosuppressant agents Muscle relaxants Narcotic analgesics Sedative hypnotics Anti-Parkinsonian agents Washington Manual Geriatrics Subspecialty Consults edited by Kyle C. Moylan (pg 15) – published by Lippencott, Wilkins & Williams, 2003

Pain Management Comparing patients with dementia and without dementia admitted for hip fx repair – Same number of procedures – Same types of procedures – ¼ the pain medications – 3 times the antipsychotics

Some Stats and Info of Note Feeding tubes are still be placed – 50% (more for African-American, NH residents) got new tubes – 17% kept tubes – Feeding tube placement did not affect outcome – Having an infection coming in did worsen risk for death – Average survival with or without a feeding tube was 6 months

First Line Treatment for Symptoms of Discomfort For infants and small children? For young adults after MVA or sports injury? For elders with dementia?

Transportation for Living In the US Options Requirements Expectations Alternatives

Housing Options Options Role of personal choice What happens to sick elders? What happens to those with limited funds – Medicaid? What happens to those with dementia? What happens to those with limited funds, health issues and dementia?

Family & Community Awareness Birthing classes Parenting classes Caregiving classes for families? Sandwich generation - Boomers

Baby Boomers Whats Happening? AND Who Will Care for the Boomers?

Who are the Boomers? People born between 1946 & 1964 The Post-WWII kids The Pre-Vietnam War kids The largest number of babies ever born in US The first majority town generation 76 million strong!!!

How are the BOOMERS now? 45 – 60 years old Used to having their own private home Used to working outside the home Finished or finishing raising their kids New grandparents Still have at least one parent alive Planning to retire & enjoy life In better health than previous generations

What Happening to Boomers? We are the SANDWICH generation – Supporting late bloomers not totally out of the nest – Helping with grandchildren – time & care & money – Still in the role of children for their parents (70-95 years old) – Caregiving for parents who are beginning to fail physically, emotionally, and mentally

This group… Has a history of more problems with money management & time management Has been more mobile & flexible/less stable in family & work & living locations Spiritually changed – ¼ less connected, ½ as connected, ¼ more connected to a new group Less experience & contact with death – less talking about it – not ready for it, deny it

What Does This Mean for Us as Caregivers? There are two distinct groups – Low socio-economic with less education – Higher socio-economic with higher education Both groups are having problems Both groups are more challenged than ever before Both groups are feeling the squeeze

Comparing the Two Groups High Educational Group Expects care to be delivered in the persons home or in a facility Expects to have $$$ help with care programs or government sources Expects to have options in where and how care will be delivered Has limited time for caregiving & managing care Low Educational Group Expects to care for the person at home Expects there to be government help Expects other family members to help Has more medical conditions and problems themselves Has limited time for caregiving & managing care

So What is Happening? Options for care tend to be limited AND frequently do NOT match the majority of expectations or needs The cost is much more than anticipated The funding sources are limited The care receivers do not have the same point of view as the caregivers Medical, legal, financial, and social systems are complicated and HARD to negotiate

What is happening to us? We are potentially… – Working THREE jobs – parent, employee, caregiver (or FOUR – if the spouse or sibling has problems) – Physically stressed out – working hard – not well – Emotionally stressed out – too much to do – Financially tapped out – demands on both ends – Mentally drained – always facing problems – Spiritually concerned – not sure they can keep on – Socially isolated – dont have time for friends

For Those in the Sandwich… Learn to set limits & live within them Take BREAKS – step away Get to know what YOU need to… – Keep going – Get re-energized – Get or stay healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally, cognitively, socially, & spiritually THEN START DOING IT!!!!!

Boomers as care receivers… They will be cared for by Generation X & Y They will expect more than previous generations in care quality & options They will know the system They will want a lot for their money They will have trouble having the money they need They will live longer than previous generations

Gen X & Y Generation X – Slackers Born million Reacted negatively to Boomers life style & work behaviors Highly individualistic Dislike & distrust of formal structures & rules Technologically smart Generation Y – Echo Boomers Born Over 70 million Different social norms –rude Lots of action & attention Balance of FUN & work Less respect for authority High energy – job changer Save for self - future Obesity & diabetes on rise

Boomers as care receivers… There will be even more variation in what people can afford and what they will expect They will want to have choices in care options They want to get their care in their preferred setting They think they will stay healthy & independent till very near the end of their lives

OOPS!!! There are many more Boomers than Gen Xers (76 vs 51 million) There are not enough resources & services for the number of Boomers The cost of Boomer care is going to be very high! The number of boomers with DEMENTING illnesses is going to be very high

OOPS! Gen X & Y have different caregiving histories and backgrounds – less experience Gen X & Y – more divorces & two income families – even less time to give care Gen X & Y – are more transitory than Boomers Gen X– is WORSE with money and savings than Boomers Gen Y – is saving for themselves

What Can We Do to Help Ourselves? Reach Out and Find Out Talk about the future Get our own house in order – Legal – Financial – Housing – Physical health – Mental & cognitive health – Spiritual health

Financial Opportunities Discuss and decide on… – Financial planning with an elder law expert – Will & financial PoA – LTC insurance – Retirement – Savings – Pensions – IRAs - Trusts Consider need for changes to have what you want later… what you will need

Legal & Health Care Opportunities Talk with your significant others & decide: – Plan ahead for probable health care needs – Durable health care PoA – Advance directives – What types of care you want in what situations - Curative, restorative, maintenance, palliative – What locations of care are available – pros & cons CCRCNHRHFCH ALFSCALFHome careOthers

Housing Opportunities Private home with universal design Shared housing – caregiver space AND/OR mother-in-law apartment Retirement/Senior community Multi-generational housing Apartments or condos Complexes with multiple levels of care on site Assisted living facilities or family care homes

Physical Health Opportunities Exercise Diet Chronic disease management Health promotional activities & habits Simple message – Bring your numbers down and – Bring your activity levels up

Mental – Cognitive Health Opportunities Know what is normal & what is NOT Establish baselines for yourself on – – Cognition – Emotional well-being – Stress levels – Sleep patterns Get supported… – Socialize, sleep enough, de-stress, use resources

Spiritual Opportunities Consider your spiritual needs & how to meet them Learn about the latest thinking on later life achievements and successful aging Talk about death & dying - the end of life Consider your role in connecting to others Find out about palliative care, hospice, sitting vigil, life review and story telling Find a community of faith you can share

First Steps? Where are you? - What can you do? What should you consider doing? Start the conversations… with both sides of the sandwich… What are TOP priorities? $$$legal issueshousing options physical healthmental/cognitive health spiritual well-being Get Started… It wont happen, if you dont…

What Can and Should We BE Doing? AARP? Pioneer Network? Geriatric specialization? Ageism awareness? Speak out, Stand up, PARTICIPATE!