A Patient Perspective

The perspective of a patient validates various things in health care but it is not the main determinant to the occurrence of an adverse event. An adverse event can be determined by so many other factors. Some events may appear as adverse but turn out to be something totally different. It is normal in the health care field to use patients as an indicator for quality care or care that is not considered optimal. This type of situation can lead to multiple issues in the organizational aspect of a health care facility. When an adverse event happens, the main concern is the well-being of the patient. A patient perspective can be skewed just like anyone else. We all have our views on a service received but a lot of times it does not match how others perceive the same experience. The true question is how much of an impact a patient perspective has on the aftermath of an adverse event? It is this that will dictate how things will lead from this point on.

What does Quality mean to you?

Quality can mean so many things to different people. However, quality to me means having my expectations met. My expectations include the level of service I am receiving to how the service is being delivered by the other individual such as a physician, nurse, or even the person scanning my items in the store. Unfortunately, there have been moments that I did not receive quality level of service. A while back, I was very sick with the flu and had no chose but to go to the hospital. I walked in the hospital and started filling out paperwork.  The issue arises the moment I finished filling out paperwork and waited for more than an hour to receive care. When I finally received care, I started to realize the rising cost for the visit due to using the hospital and getting costly random test done just for the flu. When your expectations are not being met, you somewhat feel mistreated. Quality can be measured in various ways. Some people measure quality by cost, waiting time, or the quality level of resources used to meet your standards. How do you measure quality?

Long-Term Care....

The cost of long-term care is increasing while the generation of baby boomers is entering retirement. In addition, some will be in the need for long-term care. I do not understand why such needed care cost so much. The government-sponsored program that supposedly covers long-term care barely pays for the needed services. I found out this year alone more than nine million Americans over the age of sixty-five are going to need long-term care. This number is expected to increase to twelve million by 2020. With high numbers like these, it is apparent that the issue of finances is going to be a major topic for them. The elderly population has enough to worry about such as their health and lifestyle changes or adjustments which come with age. Furthermore, the economy is not looking to good for anyone to prepare for possible expenses. I hope better options will be available or even potentially expanding funds and services in these programs. The numbers do not lie. The elderly population is growing and long-term care is a must. Not everyone have access to the type of money needed to fund long-term care services.

Healthy Living….Healthy Choices

Every morning I go to work at the mall, I see a group of women taking jogs or walks in the mall. This group of women is elderly women. It is amazing to see now these days what older people are doing to stay healthy and in shape. The funny thing about seeing this group of women exercising is that I realized they are being more active than me and I am at the young age of 24. I rarely go to the gym and forget about taking the initiative to take a jog or walk. The elderly population is taking control of their health. I remember during my parents day’s health was not something discussed much instead; it was a subject that was avoided. At the same time, there was not as much programs and advance technology to guide the elderly population towards a long, healthy lifestyle.

Grocery stores are offering many services that cater to specific groups such as the elderly by offering low prescription plans in the store pharmacy or recipes to cook healthy meals for specific diets. Also, stores are having machines available to check blood pressure. Having blood pressure machines available at places like the grocery store makes it accessible for people especially, the elderly community. In addition, an older person can find out if they are prehypertensive or already at high blood pressure point. The elderly population is making it a priority to have check ups with their physician because there are diseases or medical conditions which the greatest risk factor is age. The elderly population of today is having healthy living and making healthy choices.

Driving Past 65?

Yes, yes, and most definitely yes. Of course, I believe everyone should have a right to drive. However, for a person to be over the age of 65 and still driving without being routinely examined is a high risk. Florida should adopt a mandatory testing for drivers over the age of 65. There is enough to worry about whenever someone steps out of their home, now someone would have to worry about driving on the road. Requiring testing of drivers over the age of 65 will decrease the possible fatalities on the road. It does not hurt to add extra precaution to something. Putting in this plan will help everyone. The persons over the age of 65 will realize it is for their best interest. This will prevent accidents from happening. There are so many options for the elderly when transportation is concerned if being the driver of the vehicle is not an option. Most cities have public transportation (bus), private transportation (retirement and nursing facilities), and carpool services for the elderly. Most of these options are free or at a discount rate. If people can go yearly for eye exam than a driving test should not be an issue. You either know how to drive or not; safely.

Aging Stereotypes

No matter what age group a person is in, there is a stereotype for it. The elderly tend to get harsher opinions from others. The elderly are typically considered to be very slow when doing daily functions, not up-to-date about what is going on currently in the world or society, bad drivers, and out of shape physically. These stereotypes are used so much because these are what typically seen. On the other hand, now people are living longer. As for being slow, a lot of older people these days have more energy than me. Everyday in the media there is something new about an older person doing something athletic or fast activity such as marathons. The reason people believe the elderly is not up-to-date because they are from a different generation. On the contrary, they have interest to keep up with current events especially dealing with issues concerning them.

I remember watching the news a long time ago and it was about an elderly woman graduating with her masters. It was amazing to hear because this older woman had a goal and did not let people’s opinions or her age to stop her from accomplishing it. The two stereotypes that tops the rest is bad drivers and out of shape. I do not believe all older people are bad drivers and are out of shape. I think it is a case-by-case basis because some older people have vision and focus issues; not all. In society today, health is more important than ever. Everyday new studies are coming out on how to maintain your health and how to live longer. Older people are staying in shape by participating in activities that promote good health. As mentioned before, older people are participating in athletic activities and competitions such as marathons. All of these stereotypes are just society’s opinions or views about the elderly but, stereotypes are not information to be perceived as facts.