The Function of Assisted Living Programs in America, Case Study Example

The function of assisted living programs in America is to provide comprehensive care for the elderly when they are no longer able to care for themselves and their family members are unable to provide this care as well. This form of care is often provided to improve the quality of life of individuals at the end of their lives. As such, they are able to live the rest of their days with dignity. Individuals that work for assisted living programs are often uniquely skilled to care for this patient population. They not only help elderly patients with their hygiene needs, they are also able to provide them with medications at the necessary times and ensure that these individuals are able to remain engaged in their interests when possible.

Assisted living is a growing field in health care today because the elderly population is growing. Currently, many members of the baby boomer generation are receiving care in assisted programs. Since there was a large population spurt during their birth years, there is a greater need for professionals to care for these people as they age. In addition to consideration of just this generation, people are living longer due to the enhanced medical care that they receive. Since people are living longer, there will be a greater need for health care professionals that are aware of the health needs of the elderly. In addition, there will a greater need for individuals to help them with assisted living. It is therefore important to make this need known so many individuals interested in health professions could enter the field and compensate for the deficit of workers that currently exists.

Assisted living is different from residence care in a nursing home or rehabilitation center because it allows these individuals to remain living in their own home or the home of loved ones. As such, the setting is more comfortable due to its familiarity. Furthermore, individuals that have assisted living are able to participate in many of the activities that they enjoyed prior to their limitations. Because of this, they are generally more fulfilled and happier. It is important to consider that one of the most difficult problems that can be encountered with the elderly population is that many experience depression due to a lack of ability to do any of the things they were able to previously. However, in an assisted living setting, many people are able to still do the things that they used to enjoy because these activities are modified for them by the living assistants.

It is important for individuals in the health care profession to determine how working in or owning an assisted living facility can help individuals in need. To prepare myself for becoming an administrator in this field, it would be important for me to learn more about the financial needs of such organizations so I would be able to determine how to engage in resource allocation more readily. Since medical billing is an important component of careers in this field, I would need to familiarize myself with the coding needed to ensure that my workers are being compensated properly and my clients are being billed fairly. Next, it would be valuable for me to determine the legal aspects of this position. Since it is important for living assistants to immerse themselves in the care of the patient, it would be necessary to determine when these health aids could be considered at fault or liable for the death of the client. While it is expected that the client will pass eventually, it is important to determine how to prove that it is not the fault of the health aide if the patient’s family claims this to be the case. Last, it is important to learn the basics of geriatric care. It is necessary to determine the unique health needs of patients in this population so that they can be provided with the best possible care. Thus, taking more courses in health that focus on the aging population would be helpful. It would be possible for me to create comprehensive training programs for my health aide employees on this basis to improve the practice of my company.

As mentioned previously, there are currently many job opportunities that exist in this field. Many medical billing jobs are available to help assisted living organizations keep track of the information necessary to bill clients. Furthermore, organization leaders such as CEOs and managers are needed, although the specific position will depend on the size of the company. Next, health aides are needed to provide the elderly patients with necessary care. It is also important to have medical professionals on staff at the facility or on call if home living options are available. In addition, it would be beneficial to have end of life planning services available for clients that wish to make these final decisions. Ultimately, there are many options available for individuals interested this field and a significant availability of positions.

References

ALFA. (n.d.). Default. Retrieved from http://www.alfa.org/alfa/default.asp