Vancouver Home Health Care Agency

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The Rising Cost of Healthcare for Elderly Americans

Leave a Comment / ACA, Elder Care, Elder Support, Uncategorized, US Healthcare System / By

Image provided by Pexels: “The Rising Cost of Healthcare for Elderly Americans: A Critical Issue for the US Healthcare System”Part 1. The United States healthcare system has long been a source of controversy and debate, with many arguing that it is not adequately equipped to handle the needs of the country’s elderly population. This issue has been brought into sharp focus in recent years, as the baby boomer generation has begun to retire and the population of older Americans has grown. One major concern with the current state of the healthcare system is its cost. The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world, with per-capita healthcare spending more than double that of many other developed countries. This high cost is often cited as a barrier to access for many older Americans, who may struggle to afford the necessary medical care. Another issue is the fragmented nature of the healthcare system. Unlike many other countries, the United States does not have a nationalized healthcare system. Instead, healthcare is provided by a patchwork of private insurance companies, public programs like Medicare and Medicaid, and individual healthcare providers. This can make it difficult for older Americans to navigate the system and access the care they need. The quality of care provided by the healthcare system is also a concern. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of poor care being provided to elderly patients, with issues ranging from inadequate staffing levels to a lack of coordination among providers. This can have serious consequences for older Americans, who are more likely to have chronic conditions and complex medical needs that require high-quality care. Despite these challenges, there are also many positive aspects to the US healthcare system. For example, the country is home to some of the best hospitals and medical research centers in the world, and many older Americans are able to access high-quality care when they need it. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act, which was passed in 2010, has expanded access to healthcare for many older Americans by providing subsidies to help them afford insurance and increasing funding for programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Overall, the viability of the US healthcare system for elderly Americans is a complex issue that requires further study and discussion. While there are certainly challenges and shortcomings, there are also many positive aspects to the system that are worth considering. It is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that older Americans have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare that meets their unique needs. At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, caring and compassion is our business…

Differences in Health Care for Minorities

Leave a Comment / ACA, Home Health, Pediatric Care, Preventative Care / By

Differences in Health Care for Minorities Health care should be equal across the board, no matter what race, religion, or ethnicity. Everyone has the basic human right to the same treatments, preventative care, and assistance in times of emergency. However, the cold truth is that health care is not equal among all people; minorities are found to have a decreased level of care. Is this because of entitlement or hatred? Not really. The answer to why minorities receive less quality health care and seek health care treatments less often is much simpler than any race wars existing today. According to the United States Health and Human Services (HHS) website, the biggest reason minorities do not have equal health care treatment is insurance. A study released in 2010 revealed this to be the highest reason, over any other economic or social reason, to be why minorities receive less than quality health care. This was part of the reason the Affordable Care Act was passed, however, lack of insurance in the past will still affect health care in the future, despite a number of minorities now able to purchase health insurance. Even though minorities are now insured, their past still walks with them. The lack of preventative care before the ACA is giving everyone who could not afford a doctor in the past issues today. As more people become insured and can now see a doctor, more issues are being discovered, which could have been prevented if the person had insurance in years such as 2010. Minorities, more than any other group, continue to suffer through diseases that could have been avoided with preventative care. Minorities also continue to lack a primary physician, even with the ACA in place. A number of them, especially on the west coast, are illegal, and so do not attend to their health for fear of deportation. Additionally, health care costs are still high, so a number of minorities simply do not go to the doctor unless it is necessary. What Does This Mean for the In Home Health Care Industry? Many professionals in the in home health care industry will see older minorities with preventable health issues. Due to lack of care, diseases and illnesses that could have been treated early are now in later stages. Care will be different for these individuals, because it may be more intense in their therapies and prescribed medications. It is a sad circumstance that minorities are falling ill to diseases which could have been cured with preventative care, but through lack of insurance in earlier years, it is a reality. Call Vancouver Home Health Care Agency today if you want to talk more about insurance, preventative care, or anything else related to health care. At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

Companionship Assistance Takes the US by Storm

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Companionship Assistance Takes the US by Storm Many people are beginning to notice that their elder loved ones might need a little more help at home, especially with yesterday’s baby boomers coming into the elderly age. The help might be more than some families can handle, who have their own busy lives and families. This is why companionship assistance is growing in droves across the United States. What Is It? Simply stated, companionship assistance is another person in the home. The companionship provider will do everything from laundry, to dishes, to visiting with the home bound patient. This isn’t a replacement for family, however, it is a person who can help handle daily challenges while the families works and manages their lives. What is its Purpose? Companionship care serves many purposes. Companions, depending on service contracts, can remind patients to take medicine, take them to run errands, keep them company and take them to personal appointments, such as hair appointments or clubs. The companion is a consistent part of the patient’s life, and serves much more than just a reminder or errand runner. Studies prove that elders get depressed faster than other groups, and this depression is often due to feelings of alienation as close family and friends begin to pass away due to age. A companion will provide a friend for the patient, helping the patient’s mental status and keeping the patient from some forms of depression. Humans at every stage of life need contact from other humans, and a companion will fulfill this need for a home bound patient. Human contact helps keep a person mentally healthy; it’s apparent why a companion’s purpose is important. What Companionship Assistance Cannot Do It’s important to remember what a companion cannot do: Give patients baths Give patients medicine (patients must take the medicine themselves) Give patients any type of medical care Some companions are not even allowed to give CPR, though the companions at Vancouver Home Health Care Agency are certified and allowed under state law to give CPR and first aid. It’s important to be very clear on what a companion will and will not do before deciding on one specific company. Benefits of Companionship The benefits include: Professional communication with medical personnel Cognitive stimulation Socialization Safety supervision Mobility Improvement in mental and physical health The Vancouver Home Health Care Agency is happy to help you find the perfect companionship assistance fit. At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

Obamacare 2015 Facts

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Obamacare 2015 Facts Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is a fluctuating plan which changes to increase its parameters of care. Its implementation was confusing because there were a number of changes designed to help smooth out the problems with the plans. However, in 2015, Obamacare has had a few years to improve, and it has done so greatly. For instance, there weren’t as many changes to the ACA in 2015 as there were in previous years. Open enrollment has not changed much; only small differences were necessary to improve the program. Individuals still needed to enroll, switch plans, or adjust cost between November 15th 2014 and February 15th 2015. Insurers offered over 25% more plans overall, which made shopping around better than 2014. If this was the case for 2015, perhaps 2016 will offer even more options. Most individuals were automatically enrolled in their current plans, if they did not contact the marketplace to make changes. Plans began on January 1st, 2015, the same as previous years, for anyone enrolling in 2014. Anyone enrolling later still saw their plans begin on the first of the following month. Changes in Cost Assistance and the Federal Poverty Level Cost assistance is a calculation based on the projected income for the full year. The eligibility levels for qualified individuals increases every year because they are based on the Federal Poverty Level, which increases every year. In 2015, it was ruled that access to tax credits and a premium capped at 9.5% of the modified adjusted gross income, the person must make no more than 400% of the FPL. Out of pocket subsidies saw that a person make no more than 250% of the FPL; Medicaid recipients must make no more than 138% of the FPL. Premium Changes There are some changes in premiums, as the associated costs of ACA rises each year. Rates grow slowly, however, the consumer will still see a rise in health care costs throughout the year. This rise does not fall solely on Obamacare, in fact, Obamacare helps reduce large hikes in health care. Insurance providers, competition, cost of living, and health care providers contribute to the rise in cost. Grandfathered Plan Consumers were able to keep grandfathered plans in 2014, however, 2015 sees a significant change to this. Consumers cannot choose whether to keep their grandfathered plans; it is now up to the state and the insurance provider. If either of these entities will not support the grandfathered plan, a new plan must be chosen. Everyone with a grandfathered plan must check to be sure the plan will stay in place. Employer Mandate The employer mandate forced large employers to cover all full-time workers. This begins in 2015 for any employer with 100 or more employees. The same rule for those with 50-100 workers will be implemented in 2016. Individual Mandate Tax This fee is implemented for those who do not have coverage, and it is rising this year. It increases to $325 per person and $162.50 per child in 2015, or 2% of the total income, whichever is greater. Any person making less than 133% of the FPL is exempt from this tax. Vancouver Home Health Care Agency is always available to go over Obamacare and personal options for our clients. At Vancouver Home Health Care Agency, Caring and Compassion is our business.

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